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Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips

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  #1  
Old 2009-12-13, 10:57am
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Flamin' Francesca Flamin' Francesca is offline
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Default Torch Troubles

My torch has been having trouble sustaining a flame. I have a minor with an oxygen concentrator for a couple of years, and they have always worked just fine. When I light the torch the propane seems normal, but when I add the oxygen, the flame breaks up and goes out even before I can get the oxygen turned on very far. The oxygen concentrator is usually set so that when it's turned on, it's between four and five lbs of pressure, but I can't turn it on past two and it seems to "blow" the oxygen out. Nothing in my set-up has changed, although I work in my garage, and it has been pretty chilly. I have a heater and the kiln also throws some heat. I've cleaned the torch head and have a fresh container of propane, so it's not that. The pressure gauges all show the normal amounts they have shown in the past. Anyone want to take a stab at this? I'd really appreciate it if someone can figure it out. Otherwise, I'll call the oxygen concentrator dealer tomorrow and see if they have any ideas. Thanks!
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  #2  
Old 2009-12-13, 11:14am
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squid squid is offline
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it sounds like your oxycon is bad - I believe the blowing out of your flame means it is pushing air and not oxy.
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  #3  
Old 2009-12-13, 3:11pm
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Flamin' Francesca Flamin' Francesca is offline
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Thanks Squid, That makes sense. I'm not sure what to do about it, but when I opened the windows really wide, it seemed to improve. Perhaps it just wasn't getting enough oxygen from the air that was there.
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Old 2009-12-13, 3:38pm
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I had a similar problem last year and thought my natural gas was just lower pressure during the winter when usage was higher. I had the gas company guy over, and we picked up my torch and shook up the hoses, and what do you know, I have not had that problem since. I think there must have been something back in the hose or somewhere in my torch that was blocking the flow of the gas periodically.
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  #5  
Old 2009-12-14, 3:54pm
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Is your heater pointed at your concentrator? If it is, see if you can redirect it so that the concentrator is being fed cool air through the intake.

It sounds like a purity issue. It could be that your machine needs servicing. Or, it could be that the air feeding it is too hot - which would also produce poor purity.
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