Flowmeter Argon question

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Today my flow meter was acting alittle werid. I have an Htp flow meter. It seemed like the ball wasn't rising up to where i set it at. I had it set at 10 cfph and when i turned my gas valve on my tig torch on the ball wouldn't rise up to 10. Gas would come out of the torch though. I have to turn the ajustment on the meter up and then the ball rises up like it was sticking and then i ajust it back to 10. It seemed after a while it stopped doing it though and worked right again. I was wondering how do i know when my cylinder is empty? When the pressure guage on my flowmeter reads near 0? When i first connected my new filled 40cf argon cylinder it read 2000 psi on the gauge now its around 1500. Thanks for the help. Im new with the whole gas world. (used to fluxcore and stick)ShaneYa gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:At 1500psi you're a long way from empty.  It'll still flow with barely anything showing on the gauge and then next thing you know - crappy weld and you'll realize you're out of gas.Are you sure you didn't hit the control valve while wrapping up the hose or cord?  Been there doen that myself.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:sounds also like you could have a small leak somewhere.hit the hose, the regulator and its connections with some ivory soap and water. about 2 spoonfulls in a 32 ounce or so spray bottle.
Reply:or is it dawn? make sure the dish soap doesnt have any petroleum products in the ingredients. some of them do. onespoon full might do ya too.
Reply:Make sure that you open the cylinder valve all the way.  JGSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:Your flow in CFH should be accurate down to 50# of pressure in the tank.  All of my flowmeters have preset 50# regulators ahead of the flow tube.  I would assume the HTP flowmeter would be the same.IF IT WORKS, DON'T FIX IT2 Lincoln CV-300 / LN-7 GMALinde-VI 253,400 & 450 w/MIG35 feedersCNC Table with Oxweld O/A & Hypertherm 1250G3Lincoln Ranger GXT 250Hobart-MicroWire 300ESAB Heliarc 161ESAB-Mobilemaster 2 CC/CV Feeders& more
Reply:If the regulator is delivering a uniform, correct pressure to the flowmeter, as the outflow valve is opened, the ball should rise steadily and remain at that point so long as gas is flowing through the torch. If the torch is off, the ball will jump slightly and fall back as pressure builds up in the hoses before the solenoid or torch valve.If the meter reads as you described, then either the regulator is acting erratically, or you have an obstruction such as a kinked hose, past the flowmeter. As stated above, this is true so long as tank pressure remains above the regulator delivery pressure.Let us know what you have found so far, since asking.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldgaultMake sure that you open the cylinder valve all the way.  JG
Reply:Well guys i did all of the above and checked for leaks none. It is a brand new flowmeter from HTP and this was the 3rd time using it and it has a 2 year warrenty on it, so i emailed HTP and explained it to them and they are sending me a brand new flow meter no questions asked. They even said to keep this one. Gotta love HTP!! Great people. Also very FAST service.ShaneYa gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:That's good to know. I just purchased one of them from their store on ebay about 2 months ago. Someone & I couldn't get anyone to confess, had to bang someting into my faithful Union Carbide/Linde with the overhead hoist. I'd had it so long, It was like loosing a faithful favorite dog!!! I am using it on 100% argon. so far it has worked fine.   I normally don't fool with these light-medium duty flowmeters because of frost/freeze up problems. So far it seems to work great without flaw.IF IT WORKS, DON'T FIX IT2 Lincoln CV-300 / LN-7 GMALinde-VI 253,400 & 450 w/MIG35 feedersCNC Table with Oxweld O/A & Hypertherm 1250G3Lincoln Ranger GXT 250Hobart-MicroWire 300ESAB Heliarc 161ESAB-Mobilemaster 2 CC/CV Feeders& more
Reply:Originally Posted by El_Lloydeoor is it dawn? make sure the dish soap doesnt have any petroleum products in the ingredients. some of them do. onespoon full might do ya too.