Regulator Settings etc

[sotal]

I purchased a co2 regulator but it didn't come with any instructions. Can anyone help tell me how to use it?

It's an SWP 2144.

The pressure guage goes up to 400 bar
The flow rate guage goes up to 40 litres/min

It says it's a single stage regulator

First - I'd read not to use thread tape on the connection to the gas bottle - is that correct? Do I use thread tape on the adapter connection on the other side?

Next - what pressure do I want? I pressume the only way to set this is using the knob on top of the gas bottle?

Next - what flow rate do I need? I keep hearing 10L /min mentioned on here - is it around that mark? I presume that is set using the knob on the regulator?

Whch way do I turn the knob on the reg? Clockwise seems to tighten, anti-clockwise seems to loosen if that makes sense.

Next there is a purge valve at the bottom - what do I need that for?

ANy other general tips etc on how to use it? Any do's/don'ts

Thanks

 

[shenion]

No thread tape needed, all are flange fittings.

Just open the valve on the bottle a turn or so. There is no pressure control on the high side.

10L/min is a good start.

The knob on the reg set the flow rate, clockwise to increase, counterclockwise to decrease. Start with it out until loose, then set flow once gas is turned on.

That is probably not a purge valve but a over-pressure release.

Turn bottle on slowly

Make sure bottle is well secured and vertical. If it tips over it will not likely break, but can but you will almost always damage the regulator or at least the gauges.

 

[sotal]

Thanks for the info.

I've set it all up and done a few practice welds. It seems loads better than the last disposable bottle I used (argon mix in that one). I think it's just the fact that I can get more out of it.

I've set the flow rate to 10L/min and it sits at that consistantly whilst welding then increases a little when I stop welding which I presume is normal.

My only concern was that the pressure seemed low. The pressure only goes up a little way. I was expecting it to go up to 200ish Bar, it's more like 20bar. Is that likely to be that the regulator is faulty or that the pub gas bottle which I just bought "full" is actually nearly empty? Any way to tell?

 

[shenion]

It should be around 900 psi or 62 bar. CO2 is a liquid so you have the pressure always at the gas/liquid point for the temperature.

Yes, it will be better than disposables. I think those regs when they work right only output about 6LPM and less as they wear.

 

[Luke]

Just open the valve on the bottle a turn or so.

I don't know if it's the same in the US, or even around the UK, but I've found that the valve spindle on the cylinder seems to seal closed, and seal open.

I've had leaking valve spindles that require the valve be fully opened for them to seal again. Anywhere in the middle and they leaked a tad.

Anyone experienced the same?

 

[shenion]

I've seen then leak only when fully open.

 

[burnandgrind]

I've had the same problem with BOC bottles - once I'd opened and closed fully a couple of times they seemed to stop leaking after a turn.