A bad regulator?

[JP96]

I've been searching the board trying to find out if the regulator is supposed to do what's it's been doing and I don't think it is so I hope someone can clue me in.

I just got my C25 mix today and no matter how I adjust the regulator knob it is always dumping gas out, with the tank's valve open of course, through the regulator's 'blow off valves' I guess that's what they are on the knob's shaft. There are two holes in the knob shaft on the body which connects to the tank and then to the welder's gas supply line.

Also I can't turn the gas off from the regulator the least amount it lets through is 2-3 litres at a time.

As I said I'm not sure if it is supposed to do that or not, my only experience with a regulator is from my compressor. It too has a blow off valve where it can dump the air out before the 'tool' but does not normally do so, I forget the one or two instances where it did. With my compressor it lets the air get to the tool and only if the tool or a connection leaks a bit does any air 'escape' the setup.


I tried opening up the regulator thinking it might have been dumping gas because it was too restricted/low but it still dumps gas.

The regulator is a clarke regulator I got with my 180en and there is no documentation for it to reference.

I was able to get gas through the nozzle and do some welding, anyway the tanks's closed, cap's on and the regulator is disconnected.

 

[Gasman]

Provided you have the correct rated reg for your application its not worth tampering with IMO.

You may have a faulty/leaking diaphram and for the sake of not wasting your gas its easier to spend a few bucks on a safe new regulater instead. Good Luck.

 

[weldequip]

The main valve assembly inside has failed, DO NOT USE & replace with a new unit.
weldequip

 

[malcolm]

If you are shopping for a new regulator go for the twin gauge type - one gauge for bottle pressure and one for flow rate. It's really handy to have the flow rate - saves on gas. (I'm assuming the Clarke was single).

 

[drivewasher]

If you are shopping for a new regulator go for the twin gauge type - one gauge for bottle pressure and one for flow rate. It's really handy to have the flow rate - saves on gas. (I'm assuming the Clarke was single).

I'm no rocket scientist, but... The secong gauge only reads the line PRESSURE (mine is set a 2bar) a seperate FLOW meter can be fitted as I have done. It looks like a test tube with a ball inside it the ball "floats" on the gas as it flows through, mine is sitting on 8 litres a minuite flow rate. When I let go the trigger the welder stops and the ball drops to zero but the gauge on the line still reads 2bar

 

[JP96]

Thanks guys, I guess it's off to my LWS for a new regulator. It was a twin gauge model but I'll stay away from any regulator's made by clarke.

 

[malcolm]

I'm no rocket scientist, but... The secong gauge only reads the line PRESSURE (mine is set a 2bar) a seperate FLOW meter can be fitted as I have done. It looks like a test tube with a ball inside it the ball "floats" on the gas as it flows through, mine is sitting on 8 litres a minuite flow rate. When I let go the trigger the welder stops and the ball drops to zero but the gauge on the line still reads 2bar

I'm a rocket scientist, but only as a hobby. You've a good point there - the second gauge on the twin regs (at tleast the ones I have) does measure pressure, though the calibrations on the gauge are in litres per minute. It's worked out from the flow that would result from that pressure forcing gas through a restricting hole. Glass tube with ball is more accurate though. Do they actually measure flow with the gas passing past the ball?

Onw thing I've never worked out is why the flow on the twin gauge is often calibrated to 100 litres per minute - I've never set it past 15.

 

[drivewasher]

It's always puzzled me. When NASA have a fault on the shuttle's systems and John and Geof are peering into an equipment box with thousands of wires and buzzers, gauges and relay's flopping out onto the gantry, what would they say while scratching thier heads?

 

[weldequip]

Houston we have a prob...OH S**T! probably
weldequip

 

[irondarren]

Nothing more dangerous than a dodgy gauge. There is like 230 bar pressure going through those gauges, not something to mess about with. To be honest there are some inexpensive ones out twin guage ones for about 25 quid or murex ones for about 40 odd all single stage, of course if you can go to a multistage one, murex ones are about 95 quid.

 

[Gasman]

It's always puzzled me. When NASA have a fault on the shuttle's systems and John and Geof are peering into an equipment box with thousands of wires and buzzers, gauges and relay's flopping out onto the gantry, what would they say while scratching thier heads?

Bugger, I'm sure the tile adhesive was in here somewhere

Got any chewin gum there bud?