Turning on and turning off gas supply correctly

[starcott]

I have read somewhere that regulator valves can be damaged by incorrect usage.

I have a Hobyweld cylinder with a single 2 stage Argon regulator and a gas flow meter attached to the regulator.

What is the correct order of (a) turning on the and adjusting the gas flow, and
(b) turning off the set up before storing?

 

[mike 109444]

If you turn off at the bottle you can leave the reg set as is that way next time you come to use it, it should be set from last time. Main thing is to unload the reg. So when you have finished welding then turn off bottle and pull trigger on torch to release and trapped pressure. Job done
ps I just turn of at bottle!

 

[Tman]

I was always told to turn off bottle bless out gas and back off reg all the way. Keeps reg workings good and calibrated. Will slowly damage regs if the screw is left in

 

[Tman]

We'll brightspark seems to like this way and he has had his regs 30 years. Search some posts about faulty regs not lasting long and you will get your answer mate

 

[starcott]

Thank you for the help.

 

[Justme]

I always turn off at cylinder & the reg.

Mainly for the odd times that the cylinder does not shut off 100% so that the gas cant leak away.

 

[waddycall]

I just turn the cylinder off. When you go to use the machine again and the gauges are still up you know you've not got any leaks. Shouldn't be any hammering on the diaphragm either if it's all still pressurised when you turn the gas back on. If you turn the bottle off, bleed the pressure and leave the reg adjusted it will have a shock when you turn the bottle back on. Thats how I do it and I'm prepared to pay thirty quid for a new regulator in a few years rather than wasting gas and time.

 

[the snooper]

the main thing is turn on the cylinder slowly so it doesn't get a blast at full pressure, i always turn off at cylinder and regulator

 

[backpurge]

Turn off cylinder, drain pressure out of system then fully back off regulator

 

[chevy2]

I always done this, simply just shut the gas off via the bottle spanner.

 

[Bill Edwards]

It never seems sensible to leave pressure on the regulator internals when not in use. Purging the air and screwing out the adjuster takes very little time.