Regulator "blow hole"

[dubby]

I've not used my welder in almost a year. Did a little job to patch a chair a week or two back, and sometime during the process the regulator developed what I thought was a leak. I thought maybe the hose had gotten a hole in it. I didn't notice it during the work itself, weld seemed good, was getting gas at the proper level, etc.

I realized it when I went to purge the machine after I was done. When I went to turn off the bottle I could hear it hissing and noticed that the 'regulating' gauge was pegged wide open. The other dial showed the pressure in my bottle as always.

Dug the crap out from around the bottle to get to it last night and actually examine what was going on. Felt around with the bottle open thinking it might have been at a fitting, only to realize that the gas is spewing out the hole in the side of the regulator valve.

So, long story short--what's wrong with my regulator and how do I fix it? How do I even get it apart?

[Ironman]

It may be repairable but the cost would not be worth it. Best to get a replacement and this time get one with the rising ball type of flow indicator.
I have several like that they seem to stuff them in every welder you buy and I put them on a shelf and get a real flow meter

[arizonian]

Blown diaphragm. You should be able to get a replacement diaphragm, needle etc. from Victor or Radnor or wherever your regulator came from. The top unscrews from the base and the diaphragm cover does the same.

[dubby]

A quick search of the model number says it's a Victor and a parts kit is $40.

Amazon has a whole host of the rising ball type meters at stupid cheap prices. Is there a type or version that's best to look for? Besides the ones on my old air compressors, this is the only regulator I have had for gas bottles. Hell, it's still the only gas bottle I own.

And naturally it goes bad when I actually have a job that won't pay for the replacement of the part

[mccutter]

Last kit I got on debay for $15. OEM kit. I think mine is an AF200 or 250--I'd have to look. Anyhow, if that is the "little" guy, it might be worth it to just get a new one. I picked up an open-box Vulcan? at HF for $20 so there are "deals" out there.

This is probably the kit I got several years ago. LINK I don't know if it will fit yours.

One part that goes bad is the seal between high and low, I think it is number 9. That will show as the low gauge winding up all the way when you open the tank valve. The diaphragm is number 6. That might be your leak.

You should first try getting it apart before you go crazy ordering parts. Be careful not to snap the gauges off. The diaphragm cover screws off but it can be super tight...

The "T" handle low pressure adjuster should NOT be turned all the way in! If fact, after you bleed the gas out, you should back out the T until it is loose and no longer pressing on the diaphragm.

[Ironman]

Originally Posted by dubby

A quick search of the model number says it's a Victor and a parts kit is $40.

Amazon has a whole host of the rising ball type meters at stupid cheap prices. Is there a type or version that's best to look for? Besides the ones on my old air compressors, this is the only regulator I have had for gas bottles. Hell, it's still the only gas bottle I own.

And naturally it goes bad when I actually have a job that won't pay for the replacement of the part

All I'm seeing are Chinese and for the price will be ok. They are dirt simple inside and more accurate than are the pressure type attempting to regulate flow. The ball rises in a slightly tapered hole the becomes larger the higher the ball rises.
I have a supposedly north american regulator that looks exactly like the Amazon ones and probably came out of the same shop. It has never failed. I have had my Victor oxy and fuel regulators rebuilt 5-6 times over the last 30 years or so.

I like this design as the gland around the adjusting knob can be snugged up to provide resistance so you don't knock the adjustment out when reaching to shut the tank off. The other type with the side adjustment knob is easy to hit.

[Shade Tree Welder]

Originally Posted by dubby

A quick search of the model number says it's a Victor and a parts kit is $40.

Amazon has a whole host of the rising ball type meters at stupid cheap prices. Is there a type or version that's best to look for? Besides the ones on my old air compressors, this is the only regulator I have had for gas bottles. Hell, it's still the only gas bottle I own.

And naturally it goes bad when I actually have a job that won't pay for the replacement of the part

The rising ball is known as a flow meter. They have diaphragms that can go bad too.

[dubby]

Originally Posted by Shade Tree Welder

The rising ball is known as a flow meter. They have diaphragms that can go bad too.

Seems like bad things happen when diaphragms go bad...

[GWIZ]

Originally Posted by dubby

Amazon has a whole host of the rising ball type meters at stupid cheap prices. Is there a type or version that's best to look for?

Just noted some of the cheap ones may be calibrated on the high side.

also note
nice to get one that has all three calibration markings on one regulator .... C25, Argon, and CO2

I don't recall others helium ?

[dubby]

Originally Posted by GWIZ

Just noted some of the cheap ones may be calibrated on the high side.

also note
nice to get one that has all three calibration markings on one regulator .... C25, Argon, and CO2

I don't recall others helium ?

I had always wondered if there was much difference between the different gases. I originally had this hooked up to a CO2 soda tank and replaced it with a C25 tank from the farm supply store that was 'guaranteed' to never need anything. Just take it in and swap it out like common propane grill tanks. By the time I managed to use it all up, the company had discontinued that program. So, I ended up at the LWS and getting reamed in the process. I'm sure this current tank will be just as bad if I ever get to the bottom of it.

I have this regulator laying on my desk to remind me to fix or replace it. It's a neat paperweight, but it does little to jog my memory to actually do something about it