Welder Problem...........

Goose · May 13, 2015

Went to use my acetylene welder this afternoon and could not get a strong flame. I wanted to do some brazing with a #5 tip.

I just replaced the acetylene bottle last fall and hardly used it over the winter. When I open the valve on the bottle, the gauges read 200 lbs., regulated to 5 lbs. like I usually have them set. As soon as I open the valve on the torch both gauges drop to zero. I can only get a weak flame out of the torch.

Does this sound like I have an empty bottle? Usually when the bottle is empty, the gauges don't go up at all when you open the valve on the bottle. Or do I have a problem with my regulator? This unit is 40 years old and has never had any service work done on it because it's always done what it's supposed to.

Any suggestions?

moresmoke · May 13, 2015

If the 200 psi is dropping off to 0, something is blocking flow from the tank into the regulator. Its not the regulator itself (diaphragm etc.)

Goose · May 13, 2015

Kinda my thought. Shoulda said, I took the regulator loose from the bottle and had plenty acetylene coming out of the bottle when I cracked the valve.

Thanks. I'll check it Friday morning. Got an all day meeting tomorrow.

FBH44 · May 14, 2015

Inside my barn [ which is sealed up, doors and windows, more or less ] Ihave some sort of little bugs or wasps that build nests and seal up the nests with a white plug, and they'll plug up the smallest areas, 1/4", 1/8", sometimes less. Find them doing that int he darndest places. I've taken to sticking small pipe cleaner pieces / wires / Nylon zip-ties in all the holes I can think of to stop 'em.

JOB · May 14, 2015

I have found that the acetylene tank valve needs to be more open than the 1/2 or 3/4 turn that is recommend. On some tanks the valve needs to be opened a little more.

Leroy · May 14, 2015

When I bought my outfit new 36 years ago they told me 1 full turn and 1 turn only.

teddy52food · May 14, 2015

There is a small screen on the inlet of the regulator that is plugged.

Tx.Ricefields · May 14, 2015

Wax Wasps, They will seal up every opening in my barns. The elec. connections on the trailers is a favorite place. Air compressor fittings is another, and all over the tractors.

MARK ROBKE · May 14, 2015

Always open the oxygen completely:if it falls there is a check valve that will close off the bottle,preventing it becoming a torpedo,if the valve were to break.The acetylene can be opened 1 turn.Mark

Goose · May 14, 2015

You're right!

That thing is plugged solid with something more like carbon than just dirt. An air hose wouldn't clear it. I'll soak it in carb dip overnight and see if that clears it.

Thanks for the tip!

JOB · May 15, 2015

I never heard of a check valve but I do know the oxygen has a double seating valve. That's why all high pressure tanks are opened all the way. It seats fully closed and seats fully open. I have had acetylene tanks that needed to be open a tad more than the one turn, or do I open my tanks 3/4 of a turn, don't remember.

Welder Problem...........

Goose

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moresmoke

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Goose

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FBH44

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JOB

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Leroy

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teddy52food

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Tx.Ricefields

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MARK ROBKE

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Goose

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JOB

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