Really Dumb Ques... GAS when is it empty?

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OK, so I think I might be running out of gas in my cylinder.  I'm using 75% Ar/ 25%CO2 mixIf I recall correctly it started around 2,000 plus PSI.  I am now approaching the 800PSI mark.  How low can I go???  When do you guys normally refill/exhange the cylinders. I just want to make sure I don't run out in the middle of a weld on my roll cage....Thanks,Aaron
Reply:When the gauge reads "0" it's empty.....simple as that.  I would suggest thinking  about filling cylinder once you approach below 40-30 psi.-Graham-Mechanical EngineerAutosport Mechanic/Fabricator
Reply:It will go until it's empty and then your welds will turn black and aweful. You can determine how long your bottle will last by dividing it's size into the setting on your gauge. So, if you have a 80CF bottle and your MIG is set on 10 CFH, it will last roughly 8 hours of straight welding.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Not going past that last 5% has kept me from having to cut out bad welds for years. If you have your LWS fill your bottles they should only charge you what their gauge reads. If you exchange them then you pay for a full bottle. I prefer to NOT have to repair my own welds so I just write the last 4-5% off. If the bottles are close enough to keep an eye on I'll go lower but that hasn't normally been my experience.
Reply:I allways make sure I have a full spare.. ...zap!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:Wow... I thought below like 500 PSI woulda been kinda empty.  Sweet.  guess I've got more left than I thought!I guess it makes complete sense.. cuz as long as there is more pressure in the cylinder than the atmosphere... gas will flow out!  Duhhhhhhhhhhh
Reply:I ran into a wierd thing when running low once.  I posted about it, just cant remember when..  My welds started spattering like crazy and just plain looked poor.  I was down to about 150psi when it happened.  Exchanged the tank and everything was back to normal.Various GrindersVictor Journeyman torch200cf Acet. 250cf oxygenLincoln 175 plus/alpha2 gunLincoln v205t tigLincoln 350mpEsab 650 plasmaWhen you can get up in the morning, Its a good day.Live each day like its your last.
Reply:When the low side of the regulator starts to drop (assuming you never touch it) it would be a good time to change it.  You can turn it up and get a little more out of it but I would only do that once.  BTW, most people use too much gas, it's wasteful.
Reply:I swap mine at a couple hundred lbs or so......._________________Chris
Reply:I've had no problems running down to less than 50lbs.
Reply:Keep in mind these gauges are not accurate when they get near zero.  So each of our gauges may read differently down there anyway.  I change it when it stops flowing, and it's usually read zero for quite some time.
Reply:What should the regulator be set at? I have mine on my MM DVI set to 35 CFH.Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 Stick Linde HDA-300 MillerMatic DVI MIG Miller Dynasty 200DX Hypertherm Powermax 1000
Reply:Originally Posted by Carl26What should the regulator be set at? I have mine on my MM DVI set to 35 CFH.
Reply:Originally Posted by Carl26What should the regulator be set at? I have mine on my MM DVI set to 35 CFH.
Reply:When the meter reads 100psi, I start looking for a conveinient time to go get a refill. I do have 2 tanks so it's not a big deal if I run out mid-project, but it's annoying.
Reply:I run 12-15 CFH indoors, around 20 CFH outdoors.  If that's not enough, I'm already switching to self-shielded FCAW.