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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
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    Default Oxygen tank valve problem

    Hi All;
    Probably a simple question but I can't find an answer...

    My oxygen tank won't turn off completely. I turn it off, bleed the guages down to zero and, within 5 minutes the main guage is back up to 2000 pounds.

    I'm not sure I like the main guage being at 2000 pounds all the time..

    So, can I fix it or is it a problem that I can ignore?

    Thanks, Norm

  2. #2
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    I'd be inclined to notify the supplier, as if left a long time with out being used, your bottle will empty if the gauges/hose/hand piece leak. Some bottles take a bit of effort to close off properly. DO NOT attempt any sort of repair, full oxygen cylinders have been known to go through several double Besser Block walls and travel another hundred metres or so!!!!
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
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    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    Default

    Being at pressure should not hurt the gauge. However, as Kryn suggests, notify the supplier and/or return the tank as being faulty and get it replaced. Even oxygen can be dangerous if it leaks (cf Apollo 1) so it is best not to muck around. As it is, don't transport it in an enclosed vehicle. While it won't asphyxiate you, an oxygen fire will cause problems if there is a spark from something electrical.

    Michael

  4. #4
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Default

    Long shot but try opening it fully and then closing it firmly a couple of times.

  5. #5
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    Aug 2008
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore View Post
    DO NOT attempt any sort of repair, full oxygen cylinders have been known to go through several double Besser Block walls and travel another hundred metres or so!!!!
    Kryn
    Well through one and a bit walls

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_Jk_Wlmvbc
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
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    Perth
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    Default

    Torpedo waiting to take flight. Take it back to the supplier, get an exchange bottle.

    DD

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Mackay North Qld
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    Default

    Note!

    The Myth Busters video showed the potential.

    If you have no intention of dropping the cylinder and shearing the nozzle you are ok!

    Each and every time you use the cylinder - with the valve open you could be exposed to this - IF the cylinder should fall over and should the nozzle shear off.

    When normal safety precautions are followed the cylinder will be secured and you are protected.

    However, the cylinder valve assembly and gauge assembly will still continue to leak and that is the most immediate danger to you with an oxygen enriched atmosphere as RC touched on. Park your oxy trolley in a well ventilated area until the problem is fixed.

    Two possible sources of the leak, one, a loose gland packing and two, a poor valve seat- both should be left for the people who know what to do.

    Contact the supplier and and they will advise you from there on.

  8. #8
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    Mar 2006
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    Mareeba, FNQ
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    Long shot but try opening it fully and then closing it firmly a couple of times.
    That did it!

    I had never done that before - took the guages off and gave the valve a bit of a twist.

    The noise!! Gave me quite a start and I had only turned the valve a 1/8 of a turn - if that. I gave it a couple more twists (open and close) trying to get it open more but each time I chickened out. Besides, it was creating quite a breeze in my shed.

    I had no idea how much noise it made until I saw my wife hot-footing it down the back steps, like her skirt was on fire. The neighbour was also at the fence asking if everything was alright.

    So, it's fixed. No more leak. What ever was on the valve seat, causing it to leak had been blown free.

    Thanks...

  9. #9
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norm.Mareeba View Post
    That did it!
    sorry I actually meant with the gauges on!!!!

    I hope you didn't lose too much gas?

    But it looks like some crap was caught under the valve.

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    Default

    The above shows me how much I have forgotten of what once was common place everyday procedures.

    When changing over an empty cylinder to a full one, the practice was to blow the plastic cap out using full cylinder pressure.

    If there was any foreign matter in the under the cap ( and there normally would not be) it would be blown out by the quick blast of oxygen.
    Also a clean finger was used to check that area for any oil or foreign matter.

    There where instances of full cylinders stored under places that leaked oil onto them and gauges fitted explosion often resulted when the cylinder pressure caused a dieseling effect.

    The above procedure should be used if cylinders have been left sitting a while without gauges.

    My thoughts were fixated on a mechanical fault.

    I am glad you have solved your problem.

    Grahame

  11. #11
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    Athelstone, SA 5076
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    Quote Originally Posted by Grahame Collins View Post

    When changing over an empty cylinder to a full one, the practice was to blow the plastic cap out using full cylinder pressure.

    If there was any foreign matter in the under the cap ( and there normally would not be) it would be blown out by the quick blast of oxygen.
    Also a clean finger was used to check that area for any oil or foreign matter.

    There where instances of full cylinders stored under places that leaked oil onto them and gauges fitted explosion often resulted when the cylinder pressure caused a dieseling effect.

    The above procedure should be used if cylinders have been left sitting a while without gauges.


    I do it for oxy, acet and nitrogen..open valve fully. Also confirms that Oxy and nitrogen cylinder are full. nice clean crisp sound

  12. #12
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Grahame,

    On a similar topic, somewhere I heard that when you open a gas bottle it should be fully and firmly opened because that prevents leakage through the valve tap stem?

    Does this still stand and if so does it apply to all bottles?

    This sort of goes against another piece of advice that says not to firmly open any valve because it night jam in that position and then you may not be able to quickly close if you need to do so in a hurry.

    Thanks

  13. #13
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    Jul 2006
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    Athelstone, SA 5076
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    Grahame,

    On a similar topic, somewhere I heard that when you open a gas bottle it should be fully and firmly opened because that prevents leakage through the valve tap stem?

    Does this still stand and if so does it apply to all bottles?

    This sort of goes against another piece of advice that says not to firmly open any valve because it night jam in that position and then you may not be able to quickly close if you need to do so in a hurry.

    Thanks
    I was told to open fully and then turn back about 1/2 turn. It allows you to turn valve one of two ways should it stick. Happens a lot in water systems ie chilled, hot and condenser water systems.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    Grahame,

    On a similar topic, somewhere I heard that when you open a gas bottle it should be fully and firmly opened because that prevents leakage through the valve tap stem?

    Does this still stand and if so does it apply to all bottles?

    This sort of goes against another piece of advice that says not to firmly open any valve because it night jam in that position and then you may not be able to quickly close if you need to do so in a hurry.

    Thanks
    Fully opening a gas valve can also be a problem if you don't know whether it is open or closed such as when others are using it as well. I found this to be a real problem with fork lift gas cylinders. I always leave a valve free to turn when opened.

    Dean

  15. #15
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    Oct 2008
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    Cairns, Q
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    666

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    Grahame,

    On a similar topic, somewhere I heard that when you open a gas bottle it should be fully and firmly opened because that prevents leakage through the valve tap stem?

    Does this still stand and if so does it apply to all bottles?
    Thanks
    Bob,

    FWIW I have two copies of the old CIG instruction books for oxy acetylene welding and cutting several editions apart. Both state in bold type "never open a cylinder valve more than 1 1/2 turns." I was taught this at Tech too, but quite some time ago.

    Frank.

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