emeraldcoupe
Well-known member
sorry if that sounds dumb. i'm getting the gas conversion kit for my linc weld pac 100. i don't do a ton of welding, does the gas "go bad" after sitting for a certian time? thanks!
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sheilding gas, does it go bad?
- Thread starter emeraldcoupe
- Start date
shotgunfatcat
Well-known member
It doesn't go bad, but make sure you close your tanks! Leaks are the only thing to worry about that I know of.
Yeah, if you're not going to be using it for a while, remove the regulator and cap the bottle. So long as it's not leaking, the C25 will be fine.
78Bird
Well-known member
The gasses dont react with each other at anything close to room temp, and not with the steel tank either. No leaks = no problems.
OP
emeraldcoupe
Well-known member
thanks guys.
csp
Well-known member
What purpose does removing the regulator and capping the bottle serve? The cap isn't airtight.
All you have to do is close the valve.
All you have to do is close the valve.
Three reasons to store it without the regulator (not including OSHA rules):
1) So that in the 360 days a year you're not using it, no one turns the valve to 'see what will happen.'
2) Because the different components of a regulator are more likely to leak gas than the single main valve.
3) So that if it gets knocked over, the regulator doesn't snap off at the neck and turn the thing into a missile.
None of these are as big a concern if you keep the unit locked up, or use it regularly enough so that leaks become apparent right away.
1) So that in the 360 days a year you're not using it, no one turns the valve to 'see what will happen.'
2) Because the different components of a regulator are more likely to leak gas than the single main valve.
3) So that if it gets knocked over, the regulator doesn't snap off at the neck and turn the thing into a missile.
None of these are as big a concern if you keep the unit locked up, or use it regularly enough so that leaks become apparent right away.
OP
emeraldcoupe
Well-known member
one more question. i've only used the flux wire until now. is there a common mix? i mostly will be doing sheetmetal work-floors,1/4's,etc. i would think the gas guy would know?
The most common for mild steel is C25, which is 75% Carbon Dioxide and 25% Argon.
e-tek
Well-known member
The most common for mild steel is C25, which is 75% Carbon Dioxide and 25% Argon.
Commonly called Mig Mix.
Three reasons to store it without the regulator (not including OSHA rules):
1) So that in the 360 days a year you're not using it, no one turns the valve to 'see what will happen.'
2) Because the different components of a regulator are more likely to leak gas than the single main valve.
3) So that if it gets knocked over, the regulator doesn't snap off at the neck and turn the thing into a missile.
None of these are as big a concern if you keep the unit locked up, or use it regularly enough so that leaks become apparent right away.
You actually have that much traffic going through your shop that you need to do all of this? I just turn the main bottle off.
csp
Well-known member
Three reasons to store it without the regulator (not including OSHA rules):
1) So that in the 360 days a year you're not using it, no one turns the valve to 'see what will happen.'
2) Because the different components of a regulator are more likely to leak gas than the single main valve.
3) So that if it gets knocked over, the regulator doesn't snap off at the neck and turn the thing into a missile.
None of these are as big a concern if you keep the unit locked up, or use it regularly enough so that leaks become apparent right away.
Not that these are necessarily bad ideas, but considering that my shop isn't accessible to others and I close the valve after every use, none of the above are really applicable in my case.
My regulators stay on, too. But I use my welder pretty frequently and it's stored in a shed when it's not in use.
The original poster was concerned that his tank was going to sit so long that the gas would 'go bad.' So my advice was based on someone who might have the stuff sitting out for months at a time. He might have kids. I was erring on the side of caution.
The original poster was concerned that his tank was going to sit so long that the gas would 'go bad.' So my advice was based on someone who might have the stuff sitting out for months at a time. He might have kids. I was erring on the side of caution.
rusty monkey
Member
The most common for mild steel is C25, which is 75% Carbon Dioxide and 25% Argon.
C25 is actually 25% Carbon Dioxide and 75% Argon
Whoops. You're right. Typed that backwards.
rusty monkey
Member
Also remember that most regulators only seal when the valve is fully open or fully closed. If the valve is only opened part way and left open for awhile, you'll come back to an empty tank. I don't know how long it takes to empty a full tank, but it is no fun to get set to weld and figure out that you don't have any gas. In my world, this usually happens 5 minutes after the last place to get a refill closes for the weekend.