Argon flow restriction

[Gadget]

I hooked up my 300CF tank today and went to set the argon flow and was surprised to only be able to get 5LPM as the maximum flow. I was getting higher flow rates with the 80CF tank. Anyone have any ideas why this might be?
Tomorrow I'll check the TIG nozzle to make sure it isn't clogged. I used a different hose between the flow meter and the valve as well but it is a good hose so I don't think that is it.
Dan

[SICFabrications]

may i ask, did you "clear" the valve on the ottle before hooking up the regulator? everytime, right before i install a regulator on the bottle, i crack the valve and let it clear the funk outta the end. spiders can get in there, build a web and a lil bug or 3 get in there.... if you screw the regualtor on, you just pushed all that debris into your regulator and plugged it up.... just some food for thought... on a rare occasion, i have seen the valves on the bottle itself be faulty...

[Gadget]

I never thought to clear the valve first but will do so in the future Stan. This bottle appears to be new but that doesn't mean the valve couldn't be faulty. I'll try to track the problem down today.

[Gadget]

I was able to determine the problem was the regulator. I can't get over 5 LPM out of it through the regulator hose barb with no hose on at all. I think it was working ok on the smaller tank but now I'm not sure.
Fortunately I had a spare regulator and flow meter thanks to Tomsign. The bad thing about it is I struggled with bad welds all day today wondering why I couldn't get a clean bead and only switched the regulator after I was done working. I hope this resolves some of the issues I've been having with consistent welds.

[arandall]

Thanks for the tip on clearing the bottle valves Stan. It's something I knew in a previous life, then forgot, so thanks. And Dan - it seems every second bottle of gas I get - whether it be argon, Mig mix or oxy/acetelyne, is rough. Often they are way too stiff, and one even had a bent stem. I hate being at the mercy of the LWS for this, but it's just the way it is around here I guess.

[Gadget]

This was not the fault of the bottle Art. The regulator just didn't like the higher pressure the 300 tank had I guess.

[KHK]

The pressure should be the same in both tanks, when they are full.

[Gadget]

I got quite a bit more pressure out of the new tank though than the smaller ones I've been getting. Maybe they either under filled the smaller ones or overfilled the larger one.

[KHK]

A full tank should be about 3,000 psi. I have only filled my 300 two times in 5 years, The first fill had 3,100 and the second had 2,700. Both times I asked for the suppler to top off the tank. I am about ready for another fill.

[Gadget]

My gauge doesn't have pressure numbers, at least the original one. The one Tomsign gave me has numbers but doesn't go to 3000. maybe it uses a different measuring system. I'll have to look closer tomorrow. I know the flow meter on the one Tom gave me is CFH, my old one was LPM.