regulator setup

Howie · #1 2008-05-21, 8:08pm

Hi,

I turned both handles on the regulators clockwise to what I assumed was "off". I cracked the tank valve on the oxygen and it pegged the low pressure gauge on the regulator and I heard it blowing from a leak pretty good. This is NOT good..... Did I just destroy my brand new O2 regulator? It stayed pegged after I took it off the tank but now it's come back around to zero.

I didn't make it outside to the propane tank. Once the oxygen tank/regulator did that, I just unhooked everything and decided to call it quits for tonight.

Should I use some teflon tape on the threads for the regulators? I know the thread is gas specific and one is left handed and one right handed(I can't recall right now). Does this also apply to the "Tee handle" on the regulator? By turning my oxygen regulator all the way clockwise, did I just do something stupid?

Miss Kate · #2 2008-05-21, 8:12pm

You should have the regulator "tee handle" all the way OPEN (turning counter clockwise), when you open the valve on the tank. This is for both OXY and propane. Then you turn the tee handle clockwise to set the pressure you want. Don't know if you did any damage to the regulator or not, but I'm sure it wasn't good for it!

Miss Kate

murf · #3 2008-05-21, 8:36pm

trying to picture whats going on here, but the regulators should not need any teflon. they are mated fittings and the nut should bring them together nice and snug. this is true with any fittings that are mated, the only time you might need telflon would be using a coupler and lets say a nut with barb fitting. (mated fittings would have a round male end that fits in a concave female fitting. the nut then tights down over the threading on the male fitting).

now as far as the regulators are concern I take your approach. I have them turn down if not off and open the tanks knobs all the way, then slowly turn the T knob up to the level I need. It is possible and not saying this is the case, but some people love to play with things and maybe opened the T handle all the way open and beyond on the regulator. this can easily mess up a regulator. it is a possibility and one that may not have been your fault, new or not.
a oxygen tank valve should be opened all the way and no doubt the same with propane, then the regulators can work to there intended capacity.

what I would try is this, close the regulator down all the way, open oxygen valve is there a leak? continue to opening it all the way. no leak? if none, work your way down the line and isolate the problem

Dale M. · #4 2008-05-21, 8:38pm

Here is some information on care and use of regulators....

http://www.artglassanswers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8

To check regulators, as Miss Kate says back out (counter clockwise) adjusting knobs or "T" handle till you feel no resistance, and turn on tanks.... IF there is no gas flow (no low pressure gauge registration) , and with by gently turning knobs or "t" handle clockwise low pressure out put gauge should go from 0 (zero) to what ever pressure you want to set them at. Hopefully this will happen and there will be no leaking or hissing or radical gauge fluctuations, if nothing bad is going on you probably have gotten lucky....

As Murf mentions, Teflon tape is not required or needed.... All the connections are of a metal to metal "cone" type and seal without any tapes or goo.... IF a connection is leaking it is either not tight enough, damages or dirty, if connection is leaking it requires tightening or if that does not correct situation, take it apart and inspect both parts of connection for dirt or debris or scratches or other damage... Also using a proper wrench on regulatory to tighten or loosen them will give them longer life, do not use pliers or wrenches that do not fit the flats as it will round them off and make trying to change tanks miserable.

Dale

murf · #5 2008-05-21, 8:57pm

lets clarify this. counter clock wise is off and clock wise is on. correct? don"t make me go out to the shop and see.

opps too late, had to go out to look. counter clock wise is off and clock wise is on.

kk5336 · #6 2008-05-21, 9:53pm

Just got a propane & oxy/con set up and I wanted to know that once you are done torching how do you properly bleed your lines? Also, should you also turn the propane regulator to zero (off) afterwards, or can you leave your pressure settings as long as your propane tank is off. I'm I making sense here?

Kathie

PittsGlass · #7 2008-05-21, 10:17pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by murf

lets clarify this. counter clock wise is off and clock wise is on. correct? don"t make me go out to the shop and see.

opps too late, had to go out to look. counter clock wise is off and clock wise is on.

My mantra has been, Right to raise pressure Left to lower. Kinda simple like the PO OP on the torch.

murf · #8 2008-05-21, 10:45pm

good question and I dont have the true answer. since my propane is out side and just off the corner of my shop i do a normal shut down at the torch, close down the concentrators, go out side and close the valve to the propane and leave the regulator as it is. then go back in and turn off the tank oxygen, then i go to the torch, light torch exhausting the propane and remaining oxygen, hit my foot pedal as well and clear both gas and oxygen from the lines, close the torch down and turn off power to my foot pedal.

I know most people just close the valves to both their O2 tank and propane and call it good, and don't worry about purging the lines to the torch. so if nothing else close down tanks after done, and leave the regulators alone

ziggys · #9 2008-05-21, 10:58pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by kk5336

Just got a propane & oxy/con set up and I wanted to know that once you are done torching how do you properly bleed your lines? Also, should you also turn the propane regulator to zero (off) afterwards, or can you leave your pressure settings as long as your propane tank is off. I'm I making sense here?

Kathie

Yup your making sense. If you leave your pressure settings on and then turn on the propane for your next session you are essentially doing what Howie did by accident. Regulator turned up (clockwise), propane pressure hitting diaphram. Not so good in some cases.

At the end of a session I turn off propane and back off regulator, counter clockwise. To bleed off line, close propane tank, open torch valve and gas/pressure releases. Then back off regulator.

If you read Dale's link it will explain it much better than I can. I can't really picture HOW a regulator works so it's hard for me to explain it.
Some say they never do this and with expensive regulators it won't damage them. Including my friend who has worked in auto racing for 20 years, does a lot of fabricating/welding, so should know. Still, my regulator is not expensive, nothing like what they use so I always back it off when done working.

That way I'm always sure it's in the right position, (turned counter clockwise) and won't damage the diaphram when turning the propane on at the beginning of a session.

Whew, sorry so long winded. I probably confused you more!?! I need some sleep!

Please correct me Dale if I'm wrong about something. I don't usually bleed my lines. But if I decide to, it's after I have already turned off propane and backed off regulator. So I have to turn up regulator again, enough so when I turn propane torch knob on, the line bleeds and the gauge goes to zero. I don't really think about why this is they way it works, I just know it works.
Good Night!

Now I want to see a diagram of a regulator.....

Dale M. · #10 2008-05-22, 7:42am

Al lot of people do not bleed lines and back off tension on regulators, not just glass workers either, welders and other types of regulator users are as apt to ignore the procedures....

The thing is when "cracking" a oxygen tank or propane tank valve, the inrush of high pressure gasses flex regulators diaphragms badly and can rupture them...

By backing off regulators the diaphragm is not in a vulnerable position when the inrush happens... It's something the will extent the life span of regulators and something manufacturers recommend.....

Personally I want to have my welding torche and glass torch available when I want to use it, and try to remember to back off regulators so the will be in working order, next time I want to use them...

Also proper line bleeding procedure is to close off tank (high pressure valve) open torch valves and watch both gauges on regulator drop to "0" (zero) and then back off regulator knobs....

Dale

kk5336 · #11 2008-05-22, 12:18pm

Thanks, Dale, that's just what I did (subconsciously) and when I checked my regulator, both gauges were at "0" -- I impressed myself -- it was an instant gratification that I did it right!

Kathie
Good Omen Designs

Howie · #12 2008-05-22, 4:58pm

Thanks for the help and thats an awesome explanation Dale, very helpful.

I just got everything back together again and all is (apparently) well. Regulator works, no leaks and that makes me happy.

Had I rendered it unusable, I wasn't going to be too pleased with myself for the bonehead move. Lesson learned...

ziggys · #13 2008-05-22, 10:16pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by kk5336

Thanks, Dale, that's just what I did (subconsciously) and when I checked my regulator, both gauges were at "0" -- I impressed myself -- it was an instant gratification that I did it right!

Kathie
Good Omen Designs

I felt the same way. Funny how mastering something new is so confidence building for me.

ziggys · #14 2008-05-22, 10:19pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howie

Thanks for the help and thats an awesome explanation Dale, very helpful.

I just got everything back together again and all is (apparently) well. Regulator works, no leaks and that makes me happy.

Had I rendered it unusable, I wasn't going to be too pleased with myself for the bonehead move. Lesson learned...

Hooray!

It's such a bummer when something like that happens and you have to shell out more money before you even get to use it! And to add more misery, I beat myself up for it. Like I'm not allowed to make mistakes.
Glad it worked out for you.