Acetylene Regulator Question

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So I went to use my acetylene torch today.  Oxygen gassed up fine, and I adjusted the regulator.  However, when I turned on the acetylene nothing happened.  The high pressure side showed 150 - 200 psi as expected.  The low pressure side showed nothing.  I gently turned the pressure adjustment and still nothing happened.  After fiddling for a while, I wasn't able to get any pressure.  This was even after turning the pressure all the way up.  I took the regulator off, checked for obstructions.  Is this something I should be concerned about?  Last I used the torch, everything worked w/o any problems.  I put the regulator back on, closed all the valves, and put it away.  Is there something I can do to get it working?  Something to clean out.  I checked the hoses, they're clear.  The fittings all look good, but just no gas.I believe it's an older Victor regulator I purchased secondhand.   I think it's the medium duty model, a bit older.
Reply:Did you hear any gas flow?If the gauge doesn't move with your "normal" turns (presuming you backed it off when you were done last)............. STOP!  Over 15PSI it's unstable. That's why the gauge is RED from 15 up. Regulators/gauges do fail. Seats/gauges stick. Take it in and get it serviced by a qualified repair service.Don't cheap on this. You'll never hear the boom but your neighbors will and some poor soul will have scrape up what's left of you. Review latest safety post on this gas!
Reply:Originally Posted by millratDid you hear any gas flow?If the gauge doesn't move with your "normal" turns (presuming you backed it off when you were done last)............. STOP!  Over 15PSI it's unstable. That's why the gauge is RED from 15 up. Regulators/gauges do fail. Seats/gauges stick. Take it in and get it serviced by a qualified repair service.Don't cheap on this. You'll never hear the boom but your neighbors will and some poor soul will have scrape up what's left of you. Review latest safety post on this gas!
Reply:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=277831Review this first. The stuff has NO forgiveness.The cylinder is empty?  Pull the reg off. Take it (cylinder) outside. Make sure there are no open flames around like water heater, grill, cigarettes, etc. Crack the valve and listen. If you hear gassing, shut off the valve ASAP. Have the regulator inspected for a faulty gauge or diaphragm/seat.From a safety standpoint, you don't have any other options.
Reply:Originally Posted by millrathttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=277831Review this first. The stuff has NO forgiveness.The cylinder is empty?  Pull the reg off. Take it (cylinder) outside. Make sure there are no open flames around like water heater, grill, cigarettes, etc. Crack the valve and listen. If you hear gassing, shut off the valve ASAP. Have the regulator inspected for a faulty gauge or diaphragm/seat.From a safety standpoint, you don't have any other options.
Reply:And yes.  When I store the tanks, I turn the main tank valves completely off.  Open the valves on the torch just to bleed out any pressure in the lines.  I turn gently back the T-handles out until just where you can feel the regulator turn "off".  I put the regulators away.   I only put the regs away set to low or near zero, and then I adjust them up to the desired pressure.  I never keep them "high" and I don't think I've ever used the torch with more than 5 psi on either regulator.I was also wondering why my regulator just died all of the sudden.  I wonder if I did something to break it, and if there's anything I can do to avoid it happening in the future.
Reply:You can't judge Acetylene based on pressure readings like you can O2 or Argon.  Acetylene is 14.4 cubic feet per pound.  Somewhere your cylinder is marked with a tare weight.  Weigh it, subtract the tare weight, and multiply the balance times 14.5.  You most likely have a bad regulator, but you should know how much gas you have also.
Reply:Bought a new regulator.  All works well now.