How weatherproof is an acetylene regular

admin

I found out that a welding crew that left the welding cart out for a few days or more. Welding helmets, welder, torches acetylene  and regulator exposed to night condensation with rain in forecast tomorrow.ThoughtsMagnus 140 MIGAHP 201xd
Reply:I wouldn’t worry about it at all. I do marine work welding machines, torches, cylinders, regulators, ect are always left outside rain, snow, ect. Grinders and rod should be kept out of the rain. Now if we’re taking about a plug-in welder that shouldn’t be left outside in the rain but an engine driven machine fine. A regulator is almost impervious to weather.
Reply:"A regulator is almost impervious to weather"Just make sure it is installed with the vent hole in the bonnet pointing down!
Reply:I see OA torches left outside at jobsites in rain and snow.I also see service and welding trucks going down the roadwith regulators on the bottles(which I think is illegal).I doubt that they take them off when it rains.Apparently it’s not particularly harmful to regulators.Miller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
Reply:We always had a gang / job box onsite. We would always remove regulators and torch setup and place in box. Spending 10 minutes is worth it to me. If you have no choice, set plastic buckets on top, anything is better then leaving exposed. I cannot see leaving welding helmets outside, I guess the company supplies them. Its's fun when the moisture or water gets between the lenses too. I welded outside with rain and snow, not fun.
Reply:I have seen regulator diaphragms crack from being left outside too long (weeks and months)
Reply:Regulators have that spring inside them under the adjustment knob, I would imagine it's made out of typical spring steel and prone to rusting if given the opportunity although I've never taken one apart to confirm it. Same with all the little springs and pins in the gauges themselves.Probably not good for the regulator to be left out needlessly in the long run but I'd be surprised if a couple nights outdoors turned it into a bomb somehow. If it gets ruined for some reason well then it's the welding crews fault and not yours. Some people buy crap gear because they don't want to be bothered to take care of it and they view it as throwaway.