OK, well i have a size y argon cylinder, and i have welded for about 10 minish at just under 10lpm. The problem i wonder about is that the pressure indicator has dropped about 15-20 psi already from a new cylinder. When the key is open and the flow rate is set, but i am not actually welding just setting up jigs... should the flow rate show anything above zero as gas shouldnt be flowing, as when i stop welding the flow rate on the guage goes up a bit. My regulator is a 2 guage one not one with the long vertical flow meter. Im also not sure how to check for leaks in the system. Thanks
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shenion
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The gauge should always read a pressure, it is a pressure gauge. It is calibrated that at a given pressure, the flow will be as stated when passing through the orifice in the output of the regulator.
For example, my Lincoln reg has an 0.029" orifice and a pressure of about 25 PSI is 20 SCFH (about 10LPM.) The Lincoln gauge actually says on the dial "Gauge calibrated for an 0.029" orifice."
These type of regs are fairly accurate as long as the orifice is the biggest restriction to the flow.
For example, my Lincoln reg has an 0.029" orifice and a pressure of about 25 PSI is 20 SCFH (about 10LPM.) The Lincoln gauge actually says on the dial "Gauge calibrated for an 0.029" orifice."
These type of regs are fairly accurate as long as the orifice is the biggest restriction to the flow.
Its not the pressure gauge im worried about. its that te flow gauage is always showings that theres a flow of gas coming out even when im not welding. When i wed it shows about 10lpm and a few seconds after i let go of the button, the flow rate increases to about 12lpm, but i cant hear any gas coming out of anywhere or am anaware of leaks. How can i check for leaks??
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Get hold of a can of leak detection fluid, once evrything is set up and pressurised, give all the joints etc a quick spray. A leak will be shown up by a mass of bubbles forming. Soapy water does the same, but the propper fluid should be used.
It's a good habit to get into, particularly with fuel gasses. Theres been a few nasty incidents with leaking cyclinders.
wyn
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I use a two gauge regulator on my "y" size bottle.
The "flow" gauge always reads something even with the bottle turned off.
I suppose the regulator might not really set the flow, only the pressure and the dial on the gauge is just marked up in lpm, as shenion said. I think that's why a proper flow meter or pea shooter is the best thing for an accurate reading.
The reading on the "flow" gauge does go up and down when the torch is shut off.
This is a pic of the regulator today, last used on saturday.
The "flow" gauge always reads something even with the bottle turned off.
I suppose the regulator might not really set the flow, only the pressure and the dial on the gauge is just marked up in lpm, as shenion said. I think that's why a proper flow meter or pea shooter is the best thing for an accurate reading.
The reading on the "flow" gauge does go up and down when the torch is shut off.
This is a pic of the regulator today, last used on saturday.
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shenion
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The "flow" gauge is a pressure gauge. It measures the pressure behind the orifice. It is just calibrated in the resulting LPM instead of PSI or Bar.
I have had several regs, they all creeped up a bit in output pressure when the gas stopped.
ok, now i get it just fine. its displaying about 14lpm on the flow guage as there is still pressure in there that has not been realesed. /thats why when i close the valve on the tank, and the press the trigger on the welder a small ammount of gas comes out and the floq rate then drops..
yay, thanks all
However that doesent explain how i am using up so much gas. How long does a bottle of size y gas usually last someone?( i know this is a rubbish question as it all depend on how much you weld)
yay, thanks all
However that doesent explain how i am using up so much gas. How long does a bottle of size y gas usually last someone?( i know this is a rubbish question as it all depend on how much you weld)
Your twin gauge regulator will give your unregulated cylinder pressure (IE whats left in the bottle on the one gauge on the left as it faces you) The other gauge is your regulated/outlet pressure and strictly speaking doesn't indicate flow.
If you are welding indoors you could turn down the gas a bit. A Y size would give you approximately 6hrs continuous @14Lpm but you could probably squeeze 8hrs and still weld comfortably @10Lpm.
If you are welding indoors you could turn down the gas a bit. A Y size would give you approximately 6hrs continuous @14Lpm but you could probably squeeze 8hrs and still weld comfortably @10Lpm.
HI gasman, im guessing there must be a leak then as i cant have welded for more than 30 min continuous and its been at about 10lpm all the time. The cylinder pressure when i got it was about 215psi and now its dropped to about 180 so thats about 17% already used for about 30 min of weldingat 10lpm 
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