testing oxy acetylene regulators

[xavier23]

Just picked up a used torch set from a guy on craigslist. Came with a pair of victor 450/460 series regs. How can i test them to make sure they are working well? The models are Sr450d oxygen and sr460a acetylene.

[Gerry1964]

Originally Posted by xavier23

Just picked up a used torch set from a guy on craigslist. Came with a pair of victor 450/460 series regs. How can i test them to make sure they are working well? The models are Sr450d oxygen and sr460a acetylene.

Connect them up to a bottle and fire away?

then just adjust until you can see the different ranges, other than that i don't really know

[xavier23]

Originally Posted by Gerry1964

Connect them up to a bottle and fire away?

then just adjust until you can see the different ranges, other than that i don't really know

I thought about doing that, but it worries me. These regulators haven't been exposed to pressure for about 10 years. I was thinking about taking them to the LWS, when i go to have the oxygen tank filled, and having them take a look. Last thing i want to do is hook them up and shortly after become front page news.

[anickode]

Originally Posted by xavier23

Last thing i want to do is hook them up and shortly after become front page news.

Test 'em outside.

Your acetylene tank should only be open enough to allow gas flow, so you can shut it off quickly if something goes wrong.

[xavier23]

Originally Posted by anickode

Test 'em outside.

Your acetylene tank should only be open enough to allow gas flow, so you can shut it off quickly if something goes wrong.

I'm gonna go test them in my backyard after i get the oxygen bottle filled in a few days. If I'm not mistaken the diaphragms in these regs are stainless steel, so they should be in fine shape. As for the springs and valve seats i don't know.

[DSW]

I'm always leery of O2 regs with unknown history. If they look greasy and oily, I wouldn't hook them up, I'd spend the money to have them serviced. HP O2 and oil are a disaster waiting to happen. Normally this isn't a big issue if the regs are properly taken care of and on cylinders, but a reg tossed in an old tool box full of greasy oily tools isn't a good combination.

[xavier23]

Originally Posted by DSW

I'm always leery of O2 regs with unknown history. If they look greasy and oily, I wouldn't hook them up, I'd spend the money to have them serviced. HP O2 and oil are a disaster waiting to happen. Normally this isn't a big issue if the regs are properly taken care of and on cylinders, but a reg tossed in an old tool box full of greasy oily tools isn't a good combination.

The regulators were stored on the cylinders, i just took them off for transport. Didn't want to put the tanks in the truck bed without safety caps on. As far as i can tell there is no grease on the high pressure or outlet side of the oxygen regulator.

[Gerry1964]

Originally Posted by xavier23

I thought about doing that, but it worries me. These regulators haven't been exposed to pressure for about 10 years. I was thinking about taking them to the LWS, when i go to have the oxygen tank filled, and having them take a look. Last thing i want to do is hook them up and shortly after become front page news.

I'd be more worried about the old hoses than the regulators if the hoses havn't been used for 10 years they would probably leak far more than the regulators.

If i was you Buy some leak spray, and test them, the leak spray would bubble up if theres any leaks, But regulators in general are pretty hardy, If everythings tight they shouldn't leak cos they are old.

Finally you haven't mentioned, but do you have flashback arrestors, If not you need to get some one for the Oxy, and one for the acetylene. (very Important!!!)

[xavier23]

Originally Posted by Gerry1964

I'd be more worried about the old hoses than the regulators if the hoses havn't been used for 10 years they would probably leak far more than the regulators.

If i was you Buy some leak spray, and test them, the leak spray would bubble up if theres any leaks, But regulators in general are pretty hardy, If everythings tight they shouldn't leak cos they are old.

Finally you haven't mentioned, but do you have flashback arrestors, If not you need to get some one for the Oxy, and one for the acetylene. (very Important!!!)

I don't currently have flashback arrestors, but they are on my list of things to buy, before i cut/heat anything with this torch. Should i place them on the regulator outlets or torch inlets, or just get a set for both?

[Gerry1964]

They go directly after the regulator and before the hose



Sometimes if you have a really long Hose, people also put them at the end of the hose before the torch inlet

[Kelvin]

Don't stand in front of the oxygen regulator when you crack open the oxygen bottle valve! (This is always good advice.)

[xavier23]

Originally Posted by Gerry1964

They go directly after the regulator and before the hose



Sometimes if you have a really long Hose, people also put them at the end of the hose before the torch inlet

The hose is 50ft, should i get some for the hose outlets at the torch end?

[xavier23]

Should i replace the oxygen tank pressure gauge, as the gauge stem is bent, and the graduated face is warped? If it does have to be replaced, can i install it myself?

[mb_welder]

Gauges are easily replacable. When you replace the gauge, teflon the threads. Also if the gauge stem is bent, make sure the threads are okay and that nothing else is damaged!

If your regulator doesn't have a flashback arrestor, install one. At the torch end, check valves are all you need.

[xavier23]

Originally Posted by mb_welder

Gauges are easily replacable. When you replace the gauge, teflon the threads. Also if the gauge stem is bent, make sure the threads are okay and that nothing else is damaged!

If your regulator doesn't have a flashback arrestor, install one. At the torch end, check valves are all you need.

Just the info i was looking for, thanks.