New Hobart welder regulator trouble

[Musky_Hunter]

I picked up a new multi handler 200 and I’m having regulator issues. With the line unhooked from the back of the welder I can not get flow below 30 CFH. And at 30 CFH the needle flutters. Same issue in both tanks. Any thing below 30 and not a single bubble with the hose end in water. Anything I’m missing here?

 

[GeoBruin]

I'm struggling to understand the situation. When you completely disconnect the gas line input from the machine, your flow meter reads 30 CFH?

 

[Musky_Hunter]

I'm struggling to understand the situation. When you completely disconnect the gas line input from the machine, your flow meter reads 30 CFH?

Yes never drops to zero and no gas will flow below 30 cfh.

 

[GeoBruin]

I assume we're talking about a needle gauge and not a ball float meter. If that's the case, it sounds like a problem with the gauge being out of calibration. Even if there was a problem with the solenoid, it should register zero when the gas is completely turned off.

 

[American Locomotive]

If it's the "gauge" type flow regulator that most cheaper welders seem to come with - it's not actually a flow meter. The gauge is just actually a pressure gauge. They made some assumptions about the restrictions inside the machine, the hose, nozzle, etc..., and worked out what the flow is at a given pressure. They then "calibrated" the face of the gauge to read flow in CFH.

So as long as the gas bottle is on, and the hose is hooked up, the output flow gauge will always read something. As you twiddle the knob on the pressure regulator, you will see the output gauge move up and down with pressure.

If you want a true flow meter, you will need to pick up something like this: https://usaweld.com/products/flowmeter

 

[brownbagg]

regulator on the tank

 

[GeoBruin]

If it's the "gauge" type flow regulator that most cheaper welders seem to come with - it's not actually a flow meter. The gauge is just actually a pressure gauge. They made some assumptions about the restrictions inside the machine, the hose, nozzle, etc..., and worked out what the flow is at a given pressure. They then "calibrated" the face of the gauge to read flow in CFH.

So as long as the gas bottle is on, and the hose is hooked up, the output flow gauge will always read something. As you twiddle the knob on the pressure regulator, you will see the output gauge move up and down with pressure.

If you want a true flow meter, you will need to pick up something like this: https://usaweld.com/products/flowmeter

That's a good point. And when you pull the trigger on the gun, I would expect the needle to drop somewhat to reflect a more realistic flow number you would need to adjust the flow through the second stage while the trigger is pulled to dial in how much flow you want while welding.

 

[BigMike782]

Call Hobart with the serial number in hand and they will likely send you a different flow gauge.

 

[nadogail]

Give Hobart Customer Service an opportunity to help you.