Argon tank empty?

[chrisd0729]

I bought my welder used off a buddy and finally had to fill the Argon tank a couple weeks ago. It started out at 2000 psi and has dropped to almost 0 in the last few weeks. I've done a lot of welding in the last few weeks but, never thought I'd go through the whole tank that fast! Does it still last a little while even after the pressure drops that low or is it almost empty? Does the first 1000psi or so go the quickest?

 

[2badrotties]

That stuff will leak out so fast you would swear someone stole it. IF there is only a small piece of dirt where the regulator goes , it won't seat and you are doomed. ALWAYS crack open the valve on the tank before you install the regulator. Make sure it is tight.

 

[Jeepster]

I havent done alot of welding and by on means knowledable on the subject but I would think maybe you settings are high on the regulator or your forgetting to shut you tank off when your done?

Dan

 

[NicksTrix]

you don't mention how big the bottle is. if you are using a small bottle and have been welding a bunch, you could have run out. if you are using a large bottle it sounds like you might have a leak somewhere. get the soapy water out and check your connection fittings and all your hoses including your torch leads.
as mentioned, you might want to check to see what your flow rate is set at on the regulator. 15-18 cfm is a pretty good baseline.
hth
nick

 

[chrisd0729]

Thanks for the quick replies guys- it's a huge help. I'm not sure what lb. tank it is but, it's about 2 feet tall and about 10" across. I do turn the tank all the way off and make sure the regulator guage drops to zero (never goes quite to zero but, right above the line) and then turn off the welder. The flow is currently set at 25-27 cfm as that's what the welder instructions called for. Am I ok to drop it to 18?

I'm going by BOC Gases later this afternoon so, I'll have to get it filled.

 

[wildbill]

;D ;D ;D After you get a new bottle on get some soape water and look for any leaks look at all joints and stick the head of the gunin the soapwater and see if it is leaking and go from there and any time you are done shut the bottle off good luck. Bill %)