Two regulators on a single tank?

admin

Guys,I am looking to run two sets of regulators off of one set of O/A tanks.  I would like to have a set for heating and a seperate pair for cutting.  I wouldn't be running them at the same time, so I am not worried about drawing too much acetylene.  I am just getting tired of switching torches and pressures once I get dialed in.I have found Y splitters for running two torches off of one regulator, but not for running two regulators off of one tank.Is there something I am missing that would make this not a good idea?  Any help finding the parts I need?
Reply:Go to weldingsupply.com and search for T-62 ( a tee for the oxygen), T-16 ( a tee for the acet. with male tank threads) and T-15 ( a tee for acet. with POL threads). All are Western Enterprises fittings. They should be available from your LWS as well. I've used tees on argon cylinders to run 2 flowmeters, but never on O2 or fuel, but I can't think of any reason not to. If others have concerns, please comment!
Reply:You know you're not supposed to leave your regulator "set" when you shut your setup down, so if you're looking to simply avoid adjusting the regulator every time you open your tank valves, you're going down a dangerous path.They do make wye splitters that go between the tank and the regulator, but that's something I would only consider with inert gases. Why can't you run a splitter downstream of the regulator, and two sets of hoses (which you would need anyway)?You might also want to look into a "gasaver".  I have one between my regulator and wye.  You hang the torch on it, and it shuts both the oxygen and the acetylene.  When you lift the torch, there's a pilot light to get to right back to where you were, without touching the torch valves.Edit:Now that I'm thinking about it, I've seen setups for CO2 where you needed 2 different pressures for two different manifolds.  On those, rather than using a wye on the CGA fitting, they have the two regulators connected with a high pressure nipples.  Your LWS could set you up, but one option is to remove the HP gauge from one and the stem from the second, and connect.  Many regulators have a plug on the side that can be used for this too (so everything lines up better).  Doing it this way keeps all the gauges and handscrews in a single plane (and you only need one HP gauge, so you could possibly save when doing this by buying just a regulator body).Last edited by rlitman; 05-24-2011 at 03:31 PM.
Reply:I always shut my tanks down, back off my regs, and purge my lines when I am done for the day, or if I'll be gone for any length of time.  A specific example would be heating tubing or plate into shape and then cutting it off.  Another example would be disassembly of a large component which will require heat for bolts and nuts and also cutting pieces off.  I'm not looking to avoid adjusting every time I use the setup, but avoid the hassle of switching between the torch and rosebud while on the same project.welds4d,Those are exactly what I was looking for.  Thank you.rlitman,A gas saver is definetly on my list.Last edited by jmtebbens; 05-24-2011 at 03:41 PM.