Regulator advice p[lease

[johnrev]

I'm in the process of getting a Volkszone Argoshield cylinder having been using CO2 pub gas till now. The regulator for the CO2 cylinders has the female connector and I assume the Argoshield will need a male. I was given a reg with my Britweld when I bought it which has the correct fitting but it has a the following markings:-
Mestriner Italy, EN ISO 2503 and 230/BAR
It doesn't have guages but I set my gas pressure 'by ear' anyway so that doesn't worry me.
Is this guage suitable for the Argoshield bottle? The 230/BAR is, I assume, working pressure. Is this enough as my CO2 guage redlines at around 320 Bar?
Thanks for any advice

 

[Bill Edwards]

The cylinder supplied by BOC will be filled to 230 bar if that is any help.
You can live without gauges if you don't mind not knowing when the gas will run out, for hobby work this is rarely a big concern.

You might find your regulator has ports for gauges to be fitted, if so might be able to install the contents gauge from your CO2 regulator if you wished.

Many don't worry about this, but regulators tend to have a date on them and some consider they should be replaced every 5 years (plenty don't, on the other hand...!). Just thought I should make you aware of that though.

 

[johnrev]

If the pic has uploaded you can see the regulator and it looks almost unused to me. Not sure if the port affair on the side nearest might take a guage?? I haven't really looked closely to be honest as my main concern was that the regulator was up to the job of dealing with the BOC bottle. If the 230 bar on the reg is an absolute max pressure I might be concerned that it could be unsafe with a fresh Argoshield bottle perhaps on a hot day. On the other hand it must be intended for MIG gas I assume!
Have any of you guys used or know of a 230 bar reg being used for Argoshield?

 

[mike os]

argoshield will be 230bar, CO2 is much lower pressure

don't mess with the regulator! if you want gauges go and buy a new one

 

[johnrev]

Ok Bill and Mike thank you. On reflection 'better safe than sorry' and all that I'll get a 300+ Bar reg from Fleabay so I won't feel like I have to duck every time I crack the bottle open.
Looking forward to a more gentle weld with the Argoshield after the harsh crackling of CO2. Only really use the MIG on thin stuff as I have a stick welder for heavier guages.
Thanks again

 

[mike os]

 

[Bill Edwards]

Yep seeing that picture I'd say the port you are seeing is a safety valve and for what they cost a new 'proper' one may not be a bad investment.

 

[pedrobedro]

I got a free regulator like that with my first welder about 100 years ago, well it started with 19 and the reg was the cause of great problems. It was ok for tacking but would not maintain constant pressure starting with a burst of gas and dwindling to no gas after about an inch of weld resulting in coke like welds.