Acetylene generator ?

[Maker]

Does anyone else think a spark and Hydrogen is a very loud accident waiting to happen!

There would be no oxygen in there so that wouldn't shouldn't explode.

 

[Jan]

Everybody says that - until they lose a finger/eye/life Best viewed from a distance.

 

[brightspark]

acetylene generators are useful during the welding process with the oxy-acetylene blow torches,generators are useful or helpful for the effective welding of the metals using blow torches

yes acetylene is a real good help when oxy acetylene welding. u can even rent full bottles of it nowdays without making your own its amazing

 

[KemppiFrog]

Some of this sounds like lighting farts in a bath (Is that OK, mods??)

More to the point, in the 70's and early 80s, these generators were common in southern Portugal, more so than bottles. Most of the w/shops in my area used them, with the usual pile of old carbide next to them. The local news was not over-run with talk of accidents. Probably because of the low pressure.

 

[skotl]

What a fascinating thread

Caused me to google acetylene generator and this, rather terrifying, video popped up. It's basically a yard sale which includes an incredibly rusty looking acetylene generator;

(start 50 seconds in)

And check out the comments! There's a whole bunch of people seriously considering buying it, who clearly have no idea how dangerous this would be even if it wasn't a rusted wreck

 

[awemawson]

That model of Acetylene generator was shipped over to the UK in fairly large numbers by the Americans in the build up before D Day. They were used extensively for field repairs to equipment and presumably the majority followed over into France in the ensuing days

 

[skotl]

That model of Acetylene generator was shipped over to the UK in fairly large numbers by the Americans in the build up before D Day. They were used extensively for field repairs to equipment and presumably the majority followed over into France in the ensuing days

...and used as bombs to throw at the other side, by the sound of things

 

[awemawson]

The potential for danger is admittedly quite high but in reality the number of accidents was relatively low with these devices. It's a bit like the petrol tank in a car. Huge amount of energy stored in a small space travelling fast - you'd expect loads of incidents where they burst into flames on impact, but again the number of such incidents is relatively few.

 

[Robotstar5]

...It's a bit like the petrol tank in a car. Huge amount of energy stored in a small space travelling fast - you'd expect loads of incidents where they burst into flames on impact, but again the number of such incidents is relatively few.

Unless it's a Hollywood film

 

[Orraman]

Rexarc make a range of industrial generators for filling cylinders.
They also offer a Portable Generator in the link below where they make the following claim.

• Eliminates acetylene waste because you can use every cubic foot the
generator produces. (up to 15% of the acetylene bought in a cylinder
stays in the cylinder.)

The Chinese injector welding torch that I posted a linked to earlier was not actually available but the next size up, H01-6 (lower link) has sufficient suction on the acetylene line to raise water 6 inches from a glass of water.
The Cretec EX-301, smallest of the three Korean, (lowest) injector torches on ebay will raise water 14 inches.

Using such injector torches with the smaller size of acetylene cylinders from the independent suppliers should make a worthwhile saving.

Dave

http://www.rexarc.com/uploads/articles/pdf/50PSlit.pdf

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plastic-Han...sbs_diy_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0QN7BQ8693PE6PSQVVVN

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330955140...eName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[AndyT8]

I have played with an old carbide lamp... not the best idea in the world really

My brother has some vintage pedal bicycles with working carbide lamps. Just make sure you have waited long enough for the generated acetylene gas to have purged out any air (oxygen) before lighting - did the London to Brighton night ride on it just a couple of years ago. Biggest problem is its HOT and burns legs !