Quick gas question 255EXT

[Gusman]

Hi all,

I just picked up my first TIG in the 255EXT for doing hobby machinist, bike parts, car parts and whatever else throws itself up.

I had a quick query with regards to the gas use (it seems to be using it very rapidly).

Is it normal to be able to hear the gas rushing from the machine when its turned off?
Same as above but with the machine turned on but not welding (It's a bit hard for me to differentiate between the gas noise and the fan noise)?

Thanks,
Angus

[zoama]

No gas should be flowing when not in use.

[Gusman]

Ooops nevermind I found it. The supplied hose from the regulator to the back of the machine had a cut in it and thats where the noise was coming from. Shortened up the hose a bit and its all good now. Just wish i found that before I let 1/3 of a bottle of gas out.

[performance]

Don't leave your cylinder turned on when unattended.

[Gusman]

Don't leave your cylinder turned on when unattended.

I'd like to think im not quite *that* dense

I had switched the welder off to cut the fan noise while I was fitting some parts up and that was when I could hear the gas still.

[performance]

I try not to assume anything anymore. I get phone calls from people who get upset that they leave their cylinder turned on and after a week or two they loose a couple hundred pounds. Many times that is from the valve itself, or overtime you do get some slight leakage. I get alarmed calls all the time that the gauge has lost some pressure after sitting overnight, turned off and are burning mad that their unit is wasting large amounts of gas. Some leakage is permissible. Leaving the cylinder turned off for an hour for lunch you can expect leakage when you come back. While in a perfect world you should expect the gauge to remain where it is, it just isn't so. There could be bits of rust from the tank lodging in the parts, or bits of sand, or corrosion that is blocking a full seal of the metal needle that seals in the solenoid, or the threads could not be sealing perfectly at the gauge or the unit or the valve on the cylinder is left in between closed and open and is leaking past the seal. Or it could just be worn. Many cyclinders are 50 or 60 years old or possibly more...so while valves are replaced, they get a good bit of abuse.

[Kempy]

I check all my regulators to make sure they don't leak and if it does I get a new one. I can leave mine off for two weeks and the gauge will not move so if I do forget to shut one off I do not have to worry about it leaking, I have 5 tanks hooked up around the shop and not one leaks. Hope you find the leak and yes it is hard to hear anything leaking with the fan noise, it is a big problem with most machines or pay the big bucks for a machine that make very little noise when running.

[everlastsupport]

We have 4 tanks. Can crack the bottle, turn off and come back end of day and pressure in the line still there. Did you soap and water the connections? If you have a slight leak and forget the tank off, it will go away fast.. Been there done that many years ago. As long as you turn off the tank you should be good.

I would crack tank, soap it and see if the needle goes down in say an hour, note the number when you close the tank. If the torch head, the weld would not look right. Solenoid (in welder), torch handle (inside) or hose connection are all that are left. Hope that helps.

[Marmoset]

somehow my last reply didn't post so trying again?

Anyway, I would have thought the flow meter running when not welding woulda give it away, or, when making proper flow level adjustments non-constant flow readings would tip it off.

Barry

[Rambozo]

somehow my last reply didn't post so trying again?

Anyway, I would have thought the flow meter running when not welding woulda give it away, or, when making proper flow level adjustments non-constant flow readings would tip it off.

Barry

Small leaks will not show up on the flowmeter. Something like a .5 CFH leak can empty an 80 cuft over a weekend, but would not visibly move the ball. The best way to check is to close the bottle then check the pressure gauge over time. Even that isn't perfect because you are depending on the stem seal of the bottle valve, and they sometimes leak a little when not in the fully open position. One reason that you should always keep the valve fully shut or fully open, not just open a small amount.

[performance]

On an interesting, possibly humorous c.s. note:

Been getting a lot of calls lately because people's balls are dropping (in the regulators, not elsewhere) when the gas solenoid shuts off. Perhaps a half dozen or so from various locations around the country...People are dearly upset and even angry that the balls don't stay suspended in the tube and they need a new regulator.