Low pressure gauge for acetylene regulators

[bubinga]

the Low pressure gauge for my acetylene regulator is acting goofy.
1st the needle was under the peg, so I took the cover off and moved the needle.

With the acetylene valve at the torch end closed,
the gauge goes up to about 5 PSI
But when you open the acetylene valve at the torch end, the gauge goes down to Zero.
Turning the regulator in, with the valve open (at the torch end) has no effect on the reading.
I did light the torch, and adjusted my flame, and it did seem to work OK,
But of course I don't know what my true pressure is.
Do you think is is (hopefully) just the gauge, or does it sound like the regulator is messed up?
This is one of those little baby torch sets.
Thank you

 

[2oolhound]

Gauges are cheap so you should get a new one. Once you had a flame adjusted did you see a difference when turning the ace regulator in? If not the ace regulator sounds damaged and they are replaceable as repair costs more than a new one.

It is good practice to always back out your regulators and bleed the hoses down after each use. This keeps the diaphragm in good form.

 

[bubinga]

Oh, I did bleed my hose,s, but l didn't know about backing off the regulators.
OK, l will try a new gauge.
I did not try turning the regulator after the flame was adjusted.

 

[bubinga]

I have that gauge off, If I blow into it, shouldn't I be able to move that gauge about 5 PSI at least , or maybe less.
I can't move it at all.
I am just blowing into it with lung power.

 

[Jason280]

Doubtful you would be able to move it...

 

[classicJackets]

You mean settling regulators, right?
http://greenville.craigslist.org/tls/4784837753.html

 

[bubinga]

I found a gauge on e bay for $9.50 shipped, so I have it coming.
Hopefully that will fix it.
There are not a lot of those gauges around, as this one has 1/8" NPT.

 

[bubinga]

Doubtful you would be able to move it...

Oh, really, then Maybe it is the regulator then.
I hope it's the gauge, I don't want to keep putting money into this thing.
brought the set for $110.00, then I had to get a fitting for about $8.00.
Then I had to get new hoses, or have the hoses repaired, but I got a new set of hoses for free,
But still, I don't want to have to keep putting money into this set.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

You mean settling regulators, right?
http://greenville.craigslist.org/tls/4784837753.html

kin you still git batteries fore thos?

 

[bubinga]

Does anyone happen to know what size regulator the baby acetylene bottle takes, or how I can tell?
In case the gauge don't fix it.

 

[bubinga]

Does anyone happen to know what size regulator the baby acetylene bottle takes, or how I can tell?
In case the gauge don't fix it.

Anyone?
Looks like I need a regulator.
With the regulator backed all the way out, and opening the acetylene tank, the needle does a full 360* and pegs on the bottom side of the peg.
IOW, past 15 psi, past 30 PSI and all the way around to the bottom side of the peg.
So i brought a oxygen gauge for nothing.
Now I have to put more damn money into this thing.
How do I tell what size this tank is, and what size regulator I need.
Where can I buy a decent one reasonably?

 

[The Cobbler]

by baby tank do you mean B or MC TANK?

 

[lilredex]

This what the acetylene regulator looks like.

http://www.searsoutlet.com/Acetylene-Regulator/d/product_details.jsp?pid=48639&mode=seeAll

The output gauge is calibrated at 15PSI, and is never to be exceeded. Don't mix oxygen gauges in there, either. The regulators are all the same, it is the adaptors that are added so they can be used on "B" or "MC" tanks.

Be safe...do it right when working with acetylene.......F the expense!!

Would help to post a picture so we can see what you are working with.

 

[bubinga]

by baby tank do you mean B or MC TANK?

I'm not sure what it is?
Its the little sets like you get at lowes, or tractor supply,
http://www.lowes.com/pd_623898-1703-KH837_0__?productId=50246771&Ntt=
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/gasponyreg;-1-complete-portable-tote-outfit-with-cylinders

 

[bubinga]

This what the acetylene regulator looks like.

http://www.searsoutlet.com/Acetylene-Regulator/d/product_details.jsp?pid=48639&mode=seeAll

The output gauge is calibrated at 15PSI, and is never to be exceeded. Don't mix oxygen gauges in there, either. The regulators are all the same, it is the adaptors that are added so they can be used on "B" or "MC" tanks.

Be safe...do it right when working with acetylene.......F the expense!!

Would help to post a picture so we can see what you are working with.

LOL Sears says it $0.70 cents, LOL; I'll take one.
Wonder is the sold any at that price?
No, I know, I want to be safe, but My only things is,. I may as well have just brought a new one.
Try to save a nickle, it costs you a dime.

 

[lilredex]

Looks like an "MC" (motor cycle)....scroll down a bit.

http://www.oldphoneman.com/Bottles.htm

 

[bubinga]

Looks like an "MC" (motor cycle)....scroll down a bit.

http://www.oldphoneman.com/Bottles.htm

Thanks, That looks like it.
I'll measure later to be sure, but there is no way it is almost 2 feet tall.

 

[lilredex]

It is only 15.4 inches high....almost pocket sized.

 

[The Cobbler]

MC tank you have.could look on ebay for MC acetylene regulator

edit. you might be able to swap out the MC ****** onto a new reg too, providing same threads.
I read once that " adapters" aren't recommended for acetylene or compressed gases .

 

[PBCampbell]

Look on the tank valve for the "CGA" number. CGA 510 is the standard for acetylene and you can buy adapters for the small tanks if your deadset on using them. CGA 200 & 520 are a couple of the old sizes.

 

[Zeke]

Can you think of any time the bottles were laid on their side? The acetone that the acetylene is dissolved in will get up into the regulator. Ask me how I know. If this happens the regulator is toast. You are throwing good money at a bad deal buying gauges. If you are lucky (and quite competent) you can find rebuild kits for a lot of regulators. If these are chicom junk, not so much. Just replace.

AFA as pressure goes, you will never need 15 lbs of pressure. And the problem is that acetylene becomes unstable when released in too much volume. The acetone starts to come out as the acetylene doesn't have enough time to gas out. Tiny bottles exacerbate this process. You wouldn't even have had to lay the bottles down to exceed the maximum flow if you have a high pressure and a bigger tip. IOW, no cutting or rose buds with mini bottles. At least it's not recommended.

 

[bubinga]

Thanks, That looks like it.
I'll measure later to be sure, but there is no way it is almost 2 feet tall.

It is only 15.4 inches high....almost pocket sized.

Right, I meant theres no way its almost 2 feet tall, to be the B size.
Wasn't very clear on that I see.

 

[bubinga]

Can you think of any time the bottles were laid on their side? The acetone that the acetylene is dissolved in will get up into the regulator. Ask me how I know. If this happens the regulator is toast. You are throwing good money at a bad deal buying gauges. If you are lucky (and quite competent) you can find rebuild kits for a lot of regulators. If these are chicom junk, not so much. Just replace.

AFA as pressure goes, you will never need 15 lbs of pressure. And the problem is that acetylene becomes unstable when released in too much volume. The acetone starts to come out as the acetylene doesn't have enough time to gas out. Tiny bottles exacerbate this process. You wouldn't even have had to lay the bottles down to exceed the maximum flow if you have a high pressure and a bigger tip. IOW, no cutting or rose buds with mini bottles. At least it's not recommended.

l don't think they were on there side when I brought them home.
Don't know about before I had them.
Really? Your not supposed to cut with these little bottles.
I thought they were usually sold with a cutting tip. (The little sets)

 

[bubinga]

Look on the tank valve for the "CGA" number. CGA 510 is the standard for acetylene and you can buy adapters for the small tanks if your deadset on using them. CGA 200 & 520 are a couple of the old sizes.

CGA, I;ll look for it tomorrow.
I am dead set on using them,......................LOL, cause I don't use a torch very often, just wanted one around in case, and the price was right.
but the price keeps increasing!

 

[bubinga]

is this $30.00 one on Amazon OK, for as much as I use these things, (Not very often)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K1NOFES/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Zeke]

l don't think they were on there side when I brought them home.
Don't know about before I had them.
Really? Your not supposed to cut with these little bottles.
I thought they were usually sold with a cutting tip. (The little sets)

Here's the deal: the flow rate of acetylene should not exceed 1/10th (revised from 1/7th in 2006) of the contents of the cylinder per hour. Obviously a tiny cylinder does not have much 'contents'. So, if you do exceed the withdrawal rate, you will at first **** up acetone into your regulator. If you continue to grossly exceed the recommended rate the cylinder can itself become unstable and explode. Interestingly, that becomes a linear formula as the bottle reaches lower levels.

When I was young I had an oxy/act setup and did what I saw, or what I thought I observed. Monkey see, monkey do. What I didn't see was the safety precautions. Welding classes in the 70's and again a few years ago circa 2009 helped me out immensely.

Just trying to pass the message on.

 

[bubinga]

sounds like these little systems should only be used for a short time at a time then, to heat something up real quick, burn something off real quick, etc.
Thank you for the information, l did not know that

 

[tube_guy]

Acetylene Supply Company has really good quality products for decent prices. Fast shipping and good service too.

http://www.ascotorch.com/

I have their Acetylene regulators and torches that I use for plumbing work, and they are very nice. Made in the USA too.

 

[Zeke]

sounds like these little systems should only be used for a short time at a time then, to heat something up real quick, burn something off real quick, etc.
Thank you for the information, l did not know that

They are used mainly for silver soldering copper pipe where a propane torch won't get it done fast enough w/o overcooking the fittings. They can be used with a 0 or 00 tip for brazing sheet metal and running light beads on same. You could probably weld 1/8" flat, angle and round tubing. Even cutting with the smallest tip would just drain off both gasses to the point that it wouldn't be economical.

 

[PBCampbell]

Zeke is spot on and it's worth rereading his posts in this thread. Acetylene for general work is making less and less sense due to costs. For occasional heating and cutting, propane for the average shop is the best current solution. You'll still need a working regulator, but good news is that major brands acetylene regulators are compatible with propane. Double check to be sure but last I saw all Medium Duty regulators from Victor, Smith, and Harris for Acetylene and propane used the same seals and gaskets.

 

[rhandwor]

If you have a quality regulator they make rebuild kits and some companies rebuild them.