Leaky Oxygen regulator

[va aviator]

I finally got around to picking up a port a torch set. Not really what I want (I want acetylene, propane, and a huge oxy tank, no room for all that right now) but it should fit the bill for small cutting and heating jobs and maybe let me find out if I **** at gas welding as bad as I do with brazing.

Anyway, I was out playing around with it tonight when all of a sudden a thunderstorm popped up and it started pouring down rain. I went to go put everything away when I noticed very small bubbles coming from the O2 regulator. Upon closer inspection, the bubbles seemed to be coming from the back of the regulator where the ****** is attached. (see pic)

If it were the acetylene regulator I wouldn't use it at all. However It seems logical to me that as long as the set is outside there shouldn't be a problem, correct?

As far as fixing it, before I send it back to be repaired/replaced - I noticed this ****** is threaded into the back of the regulator on the acetylene side, is it customary for it to be that way on the O2 side, or is it soldered in place? I may be able to tighten it up if it is in fact threaded but would like to make sure before I make matters worse.

 

[metaleltr]

Stop using the regulator and return it to a welding store for repair. Pure oxygen in the presence of greases and oils is bad news.

 

[va aviator]

Stop using the regulator and return it to a welding store for repair. Pure oxygen in the presence of greases and oils is bad news.

Just to be clear, the set is stored with the gas off at the bottle. Any use would be outdoors. I'm not to worried about a small o2 leak outside (a leak of that size may raise the ambient oxygen concentration .00000001% at best) rather my concern (not knowing how these things are put together) is that this joint could fail completely or something along those lines.

 

[metaleltr]

It should be repaired by a trained technician before continuing to use it. Any traces of oil reacting with the oxygen could cause devastating results.

 

[sberry]

Its got a screwed in stem. The same basic regulator body might be used for different gases which have different fitting. Use some soapy, make sure, pull stem, use sealer apporved for 02 use, I believe teflon tape is fine, reseal. You can buy replacement stem.

 

[va aviator]

Its got a screwed in stem. The same basic regulator body might be used for different gases which have different fitting. Use some soapy, make sure, pull stem, use sealer apporved for 02 use, I believe teflon tape is fine, reseal. You can buy replacement stem.

Ok, good to know. Its visibly different from the acetylene regulator (you can actually see threads)


While we're on the subject, is there anything wrong with using the smaller regulators on larger tanks with an adapter? Eventually I'd like to get a B size acetylene tank and 40 CF o2.

 

[metaldad]

only oxygen rated teflon tape (color coded green) is to be used on oxygen service.
this is a special specific product not available at home depot

 

[pipehack]

Please do yourself a favor.. Don't jack with it. You're looking for problems even if it's stored outside. Take it to your LWS and have them check it out. O/A regulators are not something to mess with.

 

[coldfusion21]

Please do yourself a favor.. Don't jack with it. You're looking for problems even if it's stored outside. Take it to your LWS and have them check it out. O/A regulators are not something to mess with.

Why? The regulators and the pieces are all very basic. If its a matter of needing to seal a stem to a regulator and he uses the correct oxygen approved sealant what is the welding shop gonna do that he can't?

 

[pipehack]

Ok. You're right.

 

[LSU]

Why? The regulators and the pieces are all very basic. If its a matter of needing to seal a stem to a regulator and he uses the correct oxygen approved sealant what is the welding shop gonna do that he can't?

Normally I might agree with this. Sounds to me like you've got the experience to repair a problem with this but if the OP is asking these questions, it sounds like he's got a few doubts.

I think pipe hack is giving advice on what he thinks is the experience level of OP.

I'd agree with pipe hack on this one, I'd play it safe.

 

[RECox286]

Ive been "fooling" with compressors, O/A, NG, LP, components for 40

years now, and when the O/A regulators needed service, I sent them

out to the LWS repair service. You really should let a person with

the training and experience do the job. As noted, O2 can be dangerous

and Acetelyne can be just as dangerous. Together they can be that much

more "explosively dangerous". Don't fool with leaky equipment, it can and

will bite you in the a$$.

Uncle Bob

 

[va aviator]

Relax guys. The tanks are nearly empty so i'll be having them filled later this week when I have time off. I'll have them see if they can fix it without trying to upsell me too badly. I just wanted to burn off what I have before I take the tanks in.

As I've stated I couldn't quite tell how the regulator was constructed as I couldn't see threads and I didn't know if it was swaged/soldered/held together with spit and bubblegum or something stupid like that. Since it's threaded and has a very minor leak I'm fine with using the set outside. See my username, I know a little about oxygen and its hazards.

 

[Hal]

Just something to think about here. I don't know the history of that particular regulator, but, I have seen various other items that have been dropped, hit, otherwise abused, and have cracked through the root of the thread, right where the pipe comes out of whatever it is screwed into. I don't even want to be on the same street with an O2 regulator that has any kind of damage on the high pressure side.