HELP! Bulk propane

[ScarletLeonard]

I thought I had this all figured out, got a connector for my HH, pipe, hose clips, regulator and the propane.
Went to the local gas supplier and he connected everything up for me and we turned on the gas and tried to light the torch.

With the propane bottle fully open and the HH flame control fully open we could only get a tiny little flame. The gas coming out sounded nothing like the roar I get with the cannisters.

Really need help, the only suggestion the supplier could offer was that my single stage regulator was the wrong one for the job.

So does anyone have any advice, is there a silly little thing I am not doing like stand on one leg while lighting the torch or have I got the wrong parts somewhere?

Yours without gas
Scarlet xx

[Lush!]

I don't much about this cos I just bought all mine from Martin - but I know mine is a 4 bar regulator - does that help?

[Veebee]

Julie is correct, the regulator that comes with Martin's kit is the 4 bar, is that the one you have? You should only need to have it about 3/4 open with the gas full on and the HH knob turned pretty much full on. One thing that confused me when I first tried mine was that the regulator knob turns in the opposite direction to the gas knob, could that be it? The gashas a bit less pressure than the small cannisters as it has to travel through the hosing, but other than that it should be reasonably close!

So does anyone have any advice, is there a silly little thing I am not doing like stand on one leg while lighting the torch ?

Ohh, if you try that can we see photos?! 

[ScarletLeonard]

Not sure, my regulator is a standard one for propane gas (low pressure) and is 0-37 bar, which in theory should have given me a larger flame.
A friend just told me to not open the torch up so soon (which I can't try now because my supplier is closed.) to allow some pressure into the pipe and ensure there were no air bubbles.

Failing that looks like I will have to go buy a different regulator. (have a contact for a different place that should do the same one as Martins)
I couldn't afford the set up from Martin, would have been a damn sight easier if I could though.

eta - Vee, see above I do know that the regulator doesn't have a thing to turn (other than the bit that goes into the gas bottle.)

Thanks Lush

Scarlet xx

[Veebee]

eta - Vee, see above I do know that the regulator doesn't have a thing to turn (other than the bit that goes into the gas bottle.)

The bit that goes onto the bottle is the bit I mean, you turn it in the opposite direction to the gas bottle knob...... and the air pocket theory could be right too, that has happened to me as well 

Hope you have gas soon!

[Beachside]

Ok well mine was a pain to begin with but I was told the following...
the regulator is open when it is down not up (I think!) and I had to cover the holes of my HH with foil and then play around with it until the flame was right and even now it will only work when I have foil partially over it. Whether this is right or not I don't know but I know I can make beads with it like that
Not much help i bet but maybe a little
Tanya x

[ScarletLeonard]

Now I am even more confused...  

The bit that screws into the bottle we put that in as tight as we could get it with the wrench (thought that was the only way to do it.)

Sorry for getting more confused with the answers I am seriously lost. But Thank you lots for the help.

"regulator is open when it is down not up (I think!)"
There is no up or down on mine. It's just there.

Scarlet xx

[Veebee]

Ah, so the regulator is permanently open then, with no flow control? I see. Well, that won't be the problem then 

Probably just an air pocket, that will right itself soon enough, and do try Tanya's advice about covering the air holes too, that will create more suction through the pipe.

Good luck!

[amareargentum]

Hi Scarlet

Does your regulator look like this http://www.flogas.co.uk/buy-online/regulators-hose-and-fittings/low-pressure-propane-regulator-8mm-nozzle-714-2029/ (you need to scroll right down the page if your browser is like mine). If so it only operates at 37 millibar not bar i.e 0.037 bar. I think that is why it is not adjustable as the pressure is so low. I don't have a hot head but I understand that you need around 3 - 4 bar to operate them (fits with what Vee was saying). Could be why you have a very tiny flame.

HTH

[ScarletLeonard]

Thats the dodad.

And now everything makes sense, and the world is put to right New regulator it is.

I may have to shout at the idiot that sold me the regulator when I told him I needed 0-4 bar and he said it would be fine.

Thanks so much
Scarlet xx

[stuwaudby]

You need something like this:

http://www.weldinggear.co.uk/Gas-Consumables/Regulators/REGULATOR---PROPANE--SINGLE-STAGE-PLUGGED-4BAR--British-Made_307.htm

Tufnell have them available at £39.99

It is possible that your gas man has used low pressure gas hose. Make sure that the flexible hose you have is rated to at least 10 bar pressure, standard welding hose is usually used.

[ScarletLeonard]

Got the correct regulator coming now from the bay

Hose is high pressure rated so that is fine

Hopefully nice mr postman will bring it before saturday.

[BeadsbyJules]

  Anybody would thing you've got a glass delivery arriving Saturday the way you're willing the postie to arrive!!! 

[Lush!]

Scarlet - I hope you don't mind me asking, but at the end of this, have you actually found much of a saving against buying the whole kit from Tuffnells or Off Mandrel?

I come across a lot of people setting up from scratch and I do recommend buying the complete kit but it would be really helpful to know if the savings are worth the shopping around.

[ScarletLeonard]

Lol jules

Lush - yes a large saving
Regulator - £10 bay
Pipe - £5 local store
HH adaptor - £11 (trade price) jacksons, from rothenberger range.
Only thing I couldn't find cheaper was flashback arrestor. I'm also not using quick connect because the bottle is inside my studio.

My gas suppler is buying my lower pressure regulator from me at the price I bought it at so in the end I've not lost out there.