Regulator problems?

jopro · Feb 3, 2008

Had my first go at mig today!

I bought a Co2 bottle 2nd hand with a twin gauge regulator....was a bit of a bargain!

I've tried using it but i think there is a problem with the reg, the gas isnt very constant and it splutters a bit after 30 seconds or so. Also it makes some strange noises!

Does that sound like a blockage or something wrong? Should i scrap the reg?
The gas comes out the bottle ok.
Also should it be freezing up loads?

Cheers!

shenion · Feb 3, 2008

Sounds like crappy Chinese reg with crap in it (some come that way.)

It will not be freezing up with what a MIG would use.

jopro · Feb 3, 2008

It is quite old, the bottle has a 1998 date on it.... Does gas 'go off'?
Is there a way to clean the reg?

shenion · Feb 3, 2008

You really cant do much with the regs. It is cheaper and safer to just get a new one. Weldequip has sold a bunch that will also work with Argon mixes with an adapter.

Weldingartisan · Feb 3, 2008

Sounds to me like you have a cylinder with a dip tube fitted. This takes liquid co2 from the bottom of the cylinder, as used for pipe freezing. That's why the regulator is freezing up, the initial burst of liquid evaporates giving you gas then everything fills up with liquid/dry ice making strange noises. W/A

shenion · Feb 4, 2008

Ah, misread "could it be" instead of "Should it be".

Yes, sounds like it is stet up with a dip tube. They are set up that way for refilling paintball guns.

Sounds like you need to swap the tank for one without the tube.

jopro · Feb 4, 2008

Ah bugger, now i remember what the white stripe means

That's a shame. Reckon i can swap it at a refillers?
Im not sure its one you can buy, if you get what i mean

Justme · Feb 4, 2008

Turn the bottle upside down?

Justme

jopro · Feb 4, 2008

How very cunning!
Reckon it'll be safe?

Justme · Feb 4, 2008

Dunno lol, How big / heavy is the bottle?
Can you supprt it safely?
Maybe if its low enough on gas just on its side will do?
Justme

jopro · Feb 4, 2008

I could ratchet strap it to a post or something.
Does anybody know how far down the dip tube extends?
Anybody done it before?

weldequip · Feb 4, 2008

The idea of a dip-tube is to draw all the liquid from the bottom of the cylinder, so if you turn the thing upside down you would be making matters worse... try & get yourself a proper welding cylinder

weldequip

Justme · Feb 4, 2008

weldequip said:
The idea of a dip-tube is to draw all the liquid from the bottom of the cylinder, so if you turn the thing upside down you would be making matters worse... try & get yourself a proper welding cylinder
weldequip

Cant see how that is.

The tube will only work if its sealed to the valve or the liquid would not go up the tube so when inverted the end of the tube must be in the free gas & no liquid can get to the reg.

Not that I realy recommend doing it.

Justme

jopro · Feb 4, 2008

Lol!
Yeah i tried it.... It did actually work!
Still going to look for a proper one... anybody got one?

ballores · Apr 8, 2009

done it with a fire extinguisher at a push you can buy a heater turns liquid gaseous lol

Regulator problems?

jopro

Member

shenion

Tool Pack Rat

jopro

Member

shenion

Tool Pack Rat

Weldingartisan

Aiming for retirement

shenion

Tool Pack Rat

jopro

Member

Justme

Member

jopro

Member

Justme

Member

jopro

Member

weldequip

Member

Justme

Member

jopro

Member

ballores

Member