Question about pressure gauge

Ark68SS · Feb 3, 2017

I need to check the pump pressure on my Ferguson TO 20. I have a gauge on my welding torch that goes to 4,000 psi, which would work for the test. My question is, will it harm the gauge to check hydraulic (oil) pressure rather than air (oxygen) pressure?
Thanks for the help.
BillL

Bob · Feb 3, 2017

The harm will be when you put it back to O2 use.

Typically, O2 regulators/gauges are labeled "Use No Oil", and for a reason.

GOOGLE "oil and oxygen" to see what can happen.

Gene Davis (Ga.) · Feb 3, 2017

I use an oxygen gauge like you mention for measuring hydraulic pressure my self. There is a potential problem here. BEWARE!!! Be careful that you do not reinstall that gauge into any part of the oxygen tank or the system. Oxygen and
oil can become an explosive mix when they get together. Not trying to scare you but that is what many safety
signs say.

Dave H (MI) · Feb 3, 2017

Sounds like you want to just swap that over and swap it back. Do what I just did and type "oil and oxygen" in your search box and see what you get. Look for the pictures of the guy in Nigeria who had oil on his hands while adjusting his regulator. A little leak at the hose and his hands were torched. Not pretty. I would put this into the category of really foolish and dangerous. Even if you never intend to put the gauge back on a tank, what about the poor fool who pulls it out of a box someday not knowing?

ptfarmer · Feb 3, 2017

You are better off getting a larger diameter gauge that you can read easy.

MarkB_MI · Feb 3, 2017

I know a fellow who did that. O2 gauge 'sploded when he put it back on his torch cylinder. He escaped serious injury, but I recommend you don't do it if you want to keep all your extremities intact.

David G · Feb 3, 2017

You can use the gauge for hydraulic, but should not use it again on the torch.

Glen SW Wi · Feb 3, 2017

There is a reason that liquid rocket engines (Atlas ICBM) use liquid oxygen and RP-1 (kerosene) for oxidizer and fuel. When I taught missile engines we used to demonstrate the force that could be produced.

Ark68SS · Feb 3, 2017

Okey-dokey den. I'll either find one to borrow or buy another gauge. I don't want anything to go BOOM. :shock:
Thanks to all of ya'll for the advice.
BillL

Mike M · Feb 3, 2017

I remember seeing the gauges on our torch set marked "use no oil" and never knew what it meant until today !

David G · Feb 3, 2017

Just not worth the risk for $15 gauge, I put a male pioneer coupling on my hydraulic gauge.

rlp in Co. · Feb 3, 2017

I had leak in the regulator one time. There was
some kind of o ring that was leaking. I put a new o
ring on it but when I turned the oxygen on it
exploded! Had to buy a new regulator.

jeffcat · Feb 3, 2017

Oxygen is a real "B" when it comes to combuustables. That is a big no
as far as your gauge goes. One way trip to your tool box. It would
work but you would need to clean the gauge with carb cleaner or such
and most likely a tiny amount would still be up there in the gauge
itself. Go Boom. I used to sell airless paint sprayers years ago and
had a big 6 inch military surplus dial gauge that I could snap into
the lines. Very impressive when you see that needle spin around to
3000psi. when an air hose would barely make it wiggle. Go on flebay
and look at 200606880105. Looks like just what you need for $30 and
even have the high pressure flex hose on them. Those hoses are worth a
Lot of bucks. High quality gauges last ya a life time and pretty darn
acurate.

guido · Feb 3, 2017

Hello Ark66SS,

Glade you are getting another gauge. If you look real close on the gauge it will read USE NO OIL!

Guido.

504 · Feb 3, 2017

If we see 1 drop of oil near the valve on an oxygen tank, we send it out for a new valve,no amount of cleaning is safe.

Texasmark1 · Feb 3, 2017

Most oxy gauges say on the dial....USE NO OIL. Oil is a fuel. Oxygen is an oxidizer. All you need for a fire is a spark. They are easy to find, oil filled 0-5k psig, less than $30. Tractor
Supply probably has one. Industrial jobbers in my area have them.

Bob · Feb 3, 2017

" All you need for a fire is a spark."

Guess you didn't get the memo?

NO spark needed for an oxygen/oil explosion!

Texasmark1 · Feb 5, 2017

What'd I miss? Couple of k of O2 pressure got the oil molecules so excited they ran into themselves till they heated past the flash point?
Seriously, where's the ignition mechanism?

Ark68SS · Feb 5, 2017

I read this on a physics forum. It helps to explain how the source of ignition is from the heat released by the oxidizing of the oils. I also found warnings from welding companies that say you should always clean your hands when changing oxygen tanks so that oil on your hands won't get on the threads and cause a reaction.

I finally got a hold of my uncle who is a chem engineer. He said what you said about the rate is increased due to pressure and its purity. He says its also because O2 is one of the best oxidizers used to break apart other chemicals. So when O2 is induced into a flammable substance, it starts to oxidize and break apart the polymer chains thus causing a reaction which causes energy which will be in the form of heat..That small amount of heat is enough to cause the boom.

Reference https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/welding-safety.425205/

BillL

Question about pressure gauge

Ark68SS

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Bob

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Gene Davis (Ga.)

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Dave H (MI)

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ptfarmer

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MarkB_MI

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David G

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Glen SW Wi

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Ark68SS

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Mike M

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David G

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rlp in Co.

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