Oxy acetyline issues

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Hi All,I'm trying to learn oxy acetylene cutting and was doing ok on progress till my oxygen ran out and I refilled the tank. Now, every time I turn on the oxygen it jumps up to 180 psi and I can't adjust it down. Worked fine before.Is it safe to assume my regulator is faulty or is there something I'm missing? Any other troubleshooting procedures I might consider?Thank You
Reply:Are you adjusting the pressure with the valve on the torch open? You need the gas flowing to set your working pressure.
Reply:Did you crank it up when it was on the old tank while it was running out of pressure. Close the tank. Bleed down the lines. Back regulator out until handle is freely turning and not doing anything. Open the tank slowly and watch the high side go up. The low should not move. If it does stop right there as something is wrong and close the tank back up. If it stays at zero slowly screw in handle and pressure should rise slowly. Anything else and something is wrong.Last edited by danielplace; 06-19-2021 at 09:05 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by danielplaceDid you crank it up when it was on the old tank while it was running out of pressure. Close the tank. Bleed down the lines. Back regulator out until handle is freely turning and not doing anything. Open the tank slowly and watch the high side go up. The low should not move. If it does stop right there as something is wrong and close the tank back up. If it stays at zero slowly screw in handle and pressure should rise slowly. Anything else and something is wrong.
Reply:Oh crap, I didn't read the original post right.  I do this all the timeOnly thing I can think of is that the regulator is bad.  Maybe because you didn't blow off the new cylinder before you connected it, and there might have been crud in the cylinder valve that got into your regulator because you didn't blow it off first.  Always crack the valve on a new bottle before you connect the regulator............this blows the crud out of the coupling before it winds up in your regulator.  Visual inspection,, and a quick blast........always do it.
Reply:Adjusting screw should always be backed off before opening cylinder valve or you can blow the low pressure gauge. Have seen people turn up the adjustment when they are running out and forgetting to back it off when they hook up a new cylinder. Also always open the cylinder valve slowly and stand to the side. A lot of people leave the adjustment set but that can wear out the diaphragm prematurely. 30 PSI is good for most general cutting up to about 3/8" thickness.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveAdjusting screw should always be backed off before opening cylinder valve or you can blow the low pressure gauge. Have seen people turn up the adjustment when they are running out and forgetting to back it off when they hook up a new cylinder. Also always open the cylinder valve slowly and stand to the side. A lot of people leave the adjustment set but that can wear out the diaphragm prematurely. 30 PSI is good for most general cutting up to about 3/8" thickness.
Reply:Thanks for all the feedback.I did back off the regulator all the way before turning on the new tank. I did not blow off the new cylinder before connecting it.When I turn on the tank, it slams to the max. 180 psi. And when I adjust the regulator it doesn't change. I back it all the way off and it stays at 180. I guess the regulator is bad.So my last question before buying a new one, (doesn't seem like having it rebuilt is the way to go $$), Are there any other tricks I might try to get the regulator unstuck?Thanks Again
Reply:Originally Posted by vanderloo01Thanks for all the feedback.I did back off the regulator all the way before turning on the new tank. I did not blow off the new cylinder before connecting it.When I turn on the tank, it slams to the max. 180 psi. And when I adjust the regulator it doesn't change. I back it all the way off and it stays at 180. I guess the regulator is bad.So my last question before buying a new one, (doesn't seem like having it rebuilt is the way to go $$), Are there any other tricks I might try to get the regulator unstuck?Thanks Again
Reply:Can you post a  couple pics of the regulator and gauges?Miller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
Reply:Originally Posted by vanderloo01Thanks for all the feedback.I did back off the regulator all the way before turning on the new tank. I did not blow off the new cylinder before connecting it.When I turn on the tank, it slams to the max. 180 psi. And when I adjust the regulator it doesn't change. I back it all the way off and it stays at 180. I guess the regulator is bad.So my last question before buying a new one, (doesn't seem like having it rebuilt is the way to go $$), Are there any other tricks I might try to get the regulator unstuck?Thanks Again
Reply:If it is slamming to the max I would stop before you blow the lines. It could get dangerous bleeding high side pressure right through the regulator as you have described that is just about what is happening. When low sides are going to the moon at turning bottle on with the regulator backed out you have a real problem.Have it rebuilt or replace it.Not much to one but all the pieces have to be in place and working correctly. Diaphragm, spring and a valve.Last edited by danielplace; 06-21-2021 at 02:12 PM.
Reply:Those  Oxy.  cylinders  need to be treated with a lot of  respect.    Over   4000psi  Pressure  Kinda  wondering off track  here.    But  I always think about the  movie.   African Queen.   Where  Homphery  Bogard  made  a torpedo  out of one  and  sank  the  ship.
Reply:Originally Posted by JoseyThose  Oxy.  cylinders  need to be treated with a lot of  respect.    Over   4000psi  Pressure  Kinda  wondering off track  here.    But  I always think about the  movie.   African Queen.   Where  Homphery  Bogard  made  a torpedo  out of one  and  sank  the  ship.
Reply:Gotta love a bowling ball canon though. Lol.
Reply:As far as backing the adjusting screw off, refer to the Smith safety cartoons, I think it's rule #1. Standard oxygen cylinder is around 2500 PSI depending on temperature. Extra high pressure cylinders are about 4500 PSI but you don't see them for oxygen too often. Don't be fooled though, 2000+ PSI is serious pressure that can kill you in an instant.
Reply:If your guages are the industrial size (3"+ diameter), it may be worth having them rebuilt.  Last ones that I had done cost me around $50 each and my LWS had them back in around a week.If they are the inexpensive 2" ones, probably better to discard and replace them.Miller Trailblazer Pro 350DMiller Suitcase MIGMiller Spectrum 2050Miller Syncrowave 250DXLincoln 210MP
Reply:All depends on the regulator. Most repair shops will give you an estimate and then you can decide if it's worth fixing.
Reply:Originally Posted by CAVEMANNYou haven't mentioned the brand of the torch & regulators....
Reply:test post
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Reply:The regulator is a Victor. It's very old. Posted a pic below in this thread. Think it's worth a rebuild?
Reply:Originally Posted by vanderloo01The regulator is a Victor. It's very old. Posted a pic below in this thread. Think it's worth a rebuild?
Reply:Old isn't a bad thing if it hasn't been abused and that looks pretty good. The rebuild will have less plastic in it than the new ones from China.250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
Reply:Robb thanks for fixing te thread.I would box them both and send them to this place,https://regulatortorchrepair.comThis is likely the kit to rebuild that regulator. Please verify before purchase of course.https://www.amazon.com/Victor-Acetyl...4&s=hi&sr=1-20
Reply:Originally Posted by vanderloo01The regulator is a Victor. It's very old. Posted a pic below in this thread. Think it's worth a rebuild?
Reply:Originally Posted by danielplaceThis is likely the kit to rebuild that regulator. Please verify before purchase of course.https://www.amazon.com/Victor-Acetyl...4&s=hi&sr=1-20
Reply:Originally Posted by shortfuseThat link to amazon is for an ACETYLENE regulator, not an oxygen one!
Reply:Thanks again for all the help everyone. I have it in the shop being rebuilt right now.