Am I near empty? Argon tank

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Silly question I'm sureSorry if it has been answered 1000 times...How do you read these gauges.. As far as how much is in the tank?I know the left gauge is cfh and I adjust it ... Normally around 20 for migHow low can I run down the right gauge kPa ?  Before I need to refillI'd hate to run out when I really need it. Miller 211Hypertherm PM 451961 Lincoln Idealarc 250HTP 221  True Wisdom only comes from Pain.
Reply:About 3/4 of a tank.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Originally Posted by BurpeeAbout 3/4 of a tank.
Reply:A full argon tank reads between 800 and 1000, depending on a few lil items like altitude and temps.When it gets down to 300 call me.1-786-695-BURP.Last edited by Burpee; 01-31-2014 at 05:19 PM.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Weiand valve cover ??? You're old.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:I don't know the exact amount of time but mine lasts for quite a while after the hi press needle hits zero. I run 'til the low pressure starts dropping. Being a hobby welder I don't worry about  running out 'cause the project will still be there when the LWS opens.                                                                                    MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Originally Posted by BurpeeA full argon tank reads between 800 and 1000, depending on a few lil items like altitude and temps.When it gets down to 300 call me.1-786-695-BURP.
Reply:Originally Posted by BurpeeWeiand valve cover ??? You're old.
Reply:Originally Posted by mla2ofus. Being a hobby welder I don't worry about  running out 'cause the project will still be there when the LWS opens.                                                                                    Mike
Reply:When mine come in they are around 2600 PSI but I get the BIG tanks..I let it go down to about 300 then swap out the tanks if I know the gas order won't be for awhile..That way there I always have some left in reserve..When gas day gets near I will use up the last 300 so that tank is totally out so I don't give them back anything that's paid for.I can weld almost 2 hrs with the hi pressure gauge at zero..Watch for the no gas syndrome...My boss has the same valve covers hanging on the wall behind me but they even have "427" cast in them....zap!Last edited by zapster; 01-31-2014 at 06:55 PM.I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by John TYeah,Me too...But it really is amazing how long these big tanks last.....     years.
Reply:Mine typically run 2200-2600 psi full depending on the gas..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:doesn't matter the size of tank they all are 22-2600 psi when full.
Reply:Originally Posted by dbl612doesn't matter the size of tank they all are 22-2600 psi when full.
Reply:My tanks seem to last just long enough that I always get hit for a hydro when I take 'em in!!
Reply:Pay attention to the outer (black) scale on the delivery gauge and the inner (red) scale on the tank pressure gauge. Looks as if you have a 125 cu. ft. or 150 cu. ft. cylinder, which will have 2000-2200 PSI when full. Differing opinions on when to change out the cylinder. Before your LWS is closed for the day is best.
Reply:Originally Posted by labparamourMy tanks seem to last just long enough that I always get hit for a hydro when I take 'em in!!
Reply:The bottles have a date stamped around the top just below the valve . The date and + and star (2004 + *) that tank will be schedule for hydo- test 10 years from that date. So, on 2015 when you finally run out of gas and go exchange the tank its considered out of date so they charge a testing fee to exchange the tank. If the picture is sideways sorry.
Reply:The OP and Burpee may have been talking in "kpa" which is why their values are lower than you guys who replied in "psi".
Reply:Originally Posted by BurpeeA full argon tank reads between 800 and 1000, depending on a few lil items like altitude and temps.When it gets down to 300 call me.1-786-695-BURP.
Reply:Argon on Mig? Unless it is Aluminum.Last edited by blackbart; 02-01-2014 at 12:05 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by dbl612doesn't matter the size of tank they all are 22-2600 psi when full.
Reply:Originally Posted by runningjalapenoThe bottles have a date stamped around the top just below the valve . The date and + and star (2004 + *) that tank will be schedule for hydo- test 10 years from that date. So, on 2015 when you finally run out of gas and go exchange the tank its considered out of date so they charge a testing fee to exchange the tank. If the picture is sideways sorry.
Reply:3AA means retest pressure is 5/3 the service pressure (2015 psi in above pictures)  This cylinder will be retested at 3358.  You could get up to 2216.5 PSI on a fill and be legal with the 10% overfill ratingExperience is something you get right after you need it
Reply:run it till it stops coming out, then fill it.The ideal gas law PV=nRT is what tells all.  Argon can be considered an ideal gas and thus follows this law.  Since that tank "has" about 650psi left, 650psi/2000psi*100= ~33% full.  Once you know the tank capacity you can guesstimate welding time based on this percentage in terms of cubic feet via the flow rate on the gauge.  Obviously temperature will changed things, but at constant temp it is valid.  Its basically proportional to the pressure left in the tank.Last edited by Oscar; 02-02-2014 at 06:34 PM. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:We may not know much about pressure cylinders but did you know that you can save 15% or more in only 15 minutes with Geico? . Actually, the first job I had in aerospace many years ago was hydro testing of rocket engine fuel, oxidizer and lube oil tanks.  IIRC, they were typically tested to 150% of maximum usage pressure. I don't recall one ever splitting but there were often pinhole leaks. Those were marked, sent back for rework and then retested. I've never heard of a tank exploding, but one day they were loading 300 cu ft. GN2 (gaseous nitrogen) tanks at my test stand and one of them rolled off a truck after it's safety cap had been removed. It broke the valve body off and the cylinder took off and went about 100 feet into the side of a hill. The valve unit was not found. Scared me.Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:Originally Posted by TimmyTIGrun it till it stops coming out, then fill it.
Reply:Originally Posted by John TI think I just got my answer....
Reply:Originally Posted by TimmyTIGrun it till it stops coming out, then fill it.