Welding Gas Bottles Empty After Storage

[TimeRich__]

I connected up my carefully stored bottle of welding gas after a period of disuse and found it empty. This has now happened twice.

It certainly had Gas in it when I last used it approx 7months ago and it's been stored as pictured, in a canvas bag with my other welding equipment (and a spare full bottle), in my shed.

I don't feel it's feasible that the pin could've been accidentally pressed anyhow (beneath it's little rubber cover) to allow the Gas to escape or that the container could otherwise be punctured.

So how on earth has it, and it's predecessor, become empty?! Anyone got any ideas? They live in a locked concrete construction window-less shed.


*NB, I realise Disposables are expensive by Volume, but I've done my sums and looked into the various other 'Hobby Weld' options. For the frequency with which I weld they're easily the cheapest option; requiring neither monthly subscription, the purchase of a regulator or a Deposit. This time, having used the new Bottle only very briefly, I've left it on the Welder.

 

[qwakers]

they leak after their first use.

 

[JOEPRO]

I understand your disclaimer but I'd say hobbygas are overpriced yes. Auto factors and other suppliers will be cheaper and in the long run not to mention environmental reasons I would get a 10L cylinder at minimum and forget those small disposable ones.


10L + Bottle holds the deposit value too and even can be resold to other hobby users also.

 

[voipio]

Is that an expiry date? 2020/06? Maybe the sealing washer has given up.

.

 

[Alan Reynolds]

They always empty themselves if you disconnect the regulator.
The seal never does.

 

[TimeRich__]

Thanks Guys. If this latest one does so I'm gonna have to look again at alternative Gas options (I've left it connected to the regulator, with the reg switched hard off on my welder).

I'm a bit puzzled by the 'they always do that' comments, coz that's not been my experience over the course of approx 5 Bottles in the 10 years I've been welding; but its certainly possible that something in the manufacturing process has changed in the past year or two and the seal isn't up to scratch any more.

The June 2020 date is a 'Batch Date', Voipoi; ie date of manufacture I should think. I've probably had it 2 years

'Environmental Reasons' JoePro. Wouldn't it be nice if we took a serious approach to very real Environmental issues; but they seem to only come to the fore for reasons of fashion, one-upmanship or selling something us something new & un-necessary. I like to think I do my bit which in my case involves running a car that needs welding from time to time, but stands a good chance of reaching 'carbon neutrality', but I find myself puzzled, as I put my bins out earlier how a few bits of plastic, glass & cardboard from my neighbourhood justify the processing involved in their recycling and not least the emissions from the collection vehicle itself, doing little more than ticking over for hours on end.

 

[Misterg]

I've left it connected to the regulator, with the reg switched hard off on my welder

Probably worth giving the connections a squirt / brush with soapy water to check there's no leaks.