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regulater for propane

13K views 31 replies 14 participants last post by  OAdoctor  
#1 ·
can i use a acetylene regulater or do i need a propane one . will mainly be used for cutting
i know about the tip and hose .thanks
 
#4 ·
Sorry Billy but you just lost your journeyman symbol. Never heard of that. Thats why they both have the the same thread. Ha. You can use both Acy and Propane with the same regulator. Just be sure to turn on a little bit of oxy with the propane before lighting so it wont flash into your clothing. If you learn to do this then you will automatically do it with the acy and it will pop when it lites. Keeps the others around you awake. Ha. Go for.
 
#5 ·
Well many of us, me included, have swapped our acetylene regs back and forth from acetylene to propane numerous times and/or for extended periods with no apparent ill affects and no catastrophes.

However as this is an open forum with no control over how advice is interpreted or applied all advice should be tempered somewhat with the manufacturers recommendations. In that context the advice has to be: "Regulators may only be used for their designated gas. Acetylene regulators should not be used with Handigas (LPG) nor should hydrogen regulators be used on LPG or acetylene."

There are regulators easily available designed for use with propane and usually designated by a suffix of "P". Note there are numerous warnings to NOT use regulators designed for propane on with acetylene gas. Very few for the inverse.

So in my mind the better advice for something as volatile as these fuel mixtures are, is follow manufacturers recommendations or go with whatever you think is best. :waving:

http://www.afrox.com/cust_safety_equipment.htm

http://www.airgas.com/documents/pdf/rc0405-gas_equip-reg_flow.pdf

http://www.okibering.com/mktg/pdfs/Individual_Vendors/OKICAT07-HAC.pdf
 
#7 ·
An acetylene regulator may be used for propane or any low pressure alternate fuel gas. The CGA fitting is the same. With may manufacturers the seat and diaphragm is also the same for propane and acetylene. Victor even uses the same diaphragm for both oxygen and acetylene on most of thier regulators.

What you do not want to do is use a regulator designed for propane or similar gas on an acetylene cylinder. Most regulators designed for propane will delivery 50 to 100PSI. Acetylene regulators will only delivery 15 PSI. Using a propane regulator on acetylene will allow to much pressure to be deliveried and acetylene should nver be used over 15 PSI.

Hope this helps.
 
#10 ·
An acetylene regulator normally is set for around 15psi maximum outlet pressure, sooo would you not need higher outlet pressures for propane?
This is apart from the differences between the 2 regulators ie internal parts and materials, seat, diaphragm, spring, damper, bore of seat (3.2, 1.8, etc affecting flow of secondary) .

Then you have hose which is totally different as well.

Your decision, but think of safety first
 
#11 ·
Billy,
I too vote for the " use the correct regulator" bandwagon. However it is also true that for most reguators of current production, diaphrams, needles and seats etc are the same for either fuel gas. Acetylene regulators of course as mentioned, being physically limited in pressure. This was not always true, so some of your information might be dated. Regulators are cheap, $80 gets you a nice smith unit specific for your fuel. Spend the money and be safe.
 
#12 ·
I am sorry to tell you Billy, but almost all manufacutures, not just the cheap one use the same internal parts for both acetlene and propane.

The only difference between a acetylene and propane Victor SR460 series, which is one of, if not the most, expensive ingustrial gas regulators on the market, is the low pressure gauge and the pressure adjusting spring.

See this link from Victor SR450 series breakdown : http://www.thermadyne.com/IM_Uploads/DocLib_2305_56-0610 SR 450 Series Regulator.pdf

Smith New 30 Series uses the same seat for all of the gases.
How a Smith New 30 Series: http://enet.smithequipment.com/public/docs/BDBinDoc.asp?ID={577CBE78-5AAF-480D-A428-47E0C2347B62}&DownLoad=0

Harris Model 25 Regulators use the same diphragm and seat for oxygen, acetylene and propane. See attachment.

As you can see, all of the manufacturers us the same internal parts for propane and acetytlene and many us the same internals for all gases.

Of the over 70,000 regulators I have repaired over the last 12 1/2 years, I can think of only a few models that use difference internal parts for propane and acetylene.

The original questions was can I use an acetylene regulator on propane, and my answer is obsolutely. I would not however recommend the use of a propane regulator on acetylene.
 
#15 ·
lets see if i can clear up some misunderstanding i have a /o setup ;
i want to use propane for bending and cutting .
i came a cross a victor torch with rosebud and brazing tip and 25foot hose and two harris
regulaters . just wanted to know if i used the acetylene reg .it would work dont use about
1 set of bottles a year. thanks
 
#16 · (Edited)
. . . just wanted to know if i used the acetylene reg .it would work. . .
Yes, you can use an acetylene regulator on a propane cylinder.

If you're really worried about it, you can buy an inexpensive dedicated propane regulator at a home center (or garage sale :) ) :
View attachment 37031
They are adjustable, cheap, and rugged, and will deliver plenty of gas for a hand torch.
 
#20 ·
Denrep,
Neat idea, I guess I always figured that those cheapies would not be consistent and would flutter all the time. Thanks!

Billy,
Name ONE safety issue with using an acetylene regulator with propane.
-we know its not material incompatability
-we know its not pressures
-we know that mixing of acetylene and propane has no issues
So I guess I would like to know what your hang up is, with a valid, science backed , safety concern.
 
#22 · (Edited)
Denrep,
Neat idea, I guess I always figured that those cheapies would not be consistent and would flutter all the time. . . .
Mako - Looks like we cross posted, I didn't mean to pile-on Billy.

The cheapie regulators aren't "jeweler's quality" but they're fine for general cutting and heating. They're simple, compact, and rugged; last for years.

Good Luck
 
#21 · (Edited)
Billy - Instead of jabbing away with personal attacks, why not deliver a knockout punch and put an end to the argument? This sparring could go on forever, but leads to no answers. We could get somewhere with some concise and logical information.

How about staying specifically on topic and:
Post specifics, on a propane tip in the class the original poster asked about, that won't super-heat when connected to propane via an "acetylene reg (that) is designed to only supply around 15 psi."

Maybe post a few models of acetylene "only" regulators, which are specifically not compatible with propane because of material compatibility issues.

Good Luck
 
#24 ·
Kind of interesting this came up right now. I just bought, a new propane-fueled engine drive welder, not because of any tree-hugging environmental reasons,,, but just so I can run it inside of a building. Wineries and warehouses.

For the time being, just bolted the machine onto my old skid, tie the butane bottles up separate in the bed. After things slow down a bit, plan to build a new skid, with propane bottle mounts included, everything stays together.

It would be a big help, if I can run the torch, off the propane bottles, eliminating the need for an acetylene tank.

Looking at the picture, the brass valve, is a liquid feed, has a dip tube, feeds liquid propane to the vaporizer on the engine. The fitting, with the yellow cap, is the fill. I assume, this is straight into the top of the tank, no dip tube. Would it be possible, to replumb that fitting, put a tee in it, so I can get a vapor draw off it, for running a torch???
 

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#28 ·
A regulator that limits the outlet pressure of the acetylene to 15 psi prevents the acetylene molecules from explosively disassociating themselves OUTSIDE of the tank
Everybody is taught not to set the acetylene pressure above 15 psi. I was wondering if anybody has seen the ramifications of the pressure getting above this and causing an explosion. I have never met anyone that has seen this. Just wondering if anyone else has and what did it look like.
 
#30 ·
I think it depends on the size of the tank and size of the tip being used as to whether it is safe or not. A big tank and small tip, probly not alot of worry about higher pressure. A small tank and big tip, may be alot of worry about high pressure. Just because it worked for one guy in one set of circumstances doesn't mean it will work for you in another set of circumstances. Experiment at your own risk (and, unfortunately, the risk of others around you too)!