question on argon gas

admin

I've never had to buy my own welding gas until recently.  And air liquide sold me a 330 cubic foot bottle. When I got it home it had 1500psi... hmm I have never seen a "full" bottle with that little. So I just cracked open my little 83 cubic foot bottle and it also had 1500psi.. verified on 2 regulators... now I know it is common to not fully fill to the stamped 2400 psi on the side because of expansion but 1500???? The big bottle is down to 200psi, verified on two regs, and it's acting like it's contaminated gas. Basically lots of "pepper" in the weld. Does any of this sound typical of air liquide or is it a local issue? I'm getting my refills at air gas next time fwiw..
Reply:The pressure does not seem right. They could have short changed you. As far as the contamination, contact the seller ASAP. They may want to have the contents analyzed. Good sellers take an interest in bad gas. For instance if you bought lab grade gas and the gas wrecked a very expensive part, you might make a claim for reimbursement for the cost of that part. On another note the contamination could have messed up your regulator. Could be full of moisture, indicated by the black flakes.Last edited by shovelon; 04-11-2015 at 12:11 AM.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:That's what I thought. I spent an hour trying to figure out why I couldn't get a clean bead... I will take the bottle to them Monday first thing. It's a huge pia because I have to have someone load it for me..