Oxycon - is it knackered????? URGENT please!

[bubblefizz]

need advice on my oxycon its started to play up, first of all the "normal" green light isnt lighting up and its started coming up as the red light which is "under normal" its been like this a good few weeks, but its been ok.
today the oxycon just stopped in mid bead, i switched it back on a was ok for 5 mins then went of again 
is it knackered now?

[Kaz]

Hi Angi
Here are few things to try before giving up the ghost.
Have you cleaned the filter?
Try picking it up and dropping it from a height of a couple of inches (it has been known to work)
It may be just too cold for it so try directing a fan heater towards it.
Also try letting it run for a while with the oxy tap open before lighting the torch.
If none of these work, ring Martin or Sean but do it quickly as they will close over Christmas.
Good luck
Kazx

[bubblefizz]

i know im panicking like hell LOL
ok tried the drop thing, cleaned the filter ( if you mean the  black sponge bit)

im still only getting one light on the machine (the on light), im not getting the "normal" green light on the right hand side or anything...
will try again 

[Steampunkglass]

There is another filter inside as well, they are supposed to be replaced every year I think  (must get around to that!) might be worth having a word with who you got it from to see if they have any to replace it; may or may not help 

[kerensky]

Why don't you try bringing it indoors to give it a good clean and warm it up overnight? Mine only plays up in the winter.


For those in the know, where is the second filter? I have never cleaned that.....

[Steampunkglass]

Why don't you try bringing it indoors to give it a good clean and warm it up overnight? Mine only plays up in the winter.


For those in the know, where is the second filter? I have never cleaned that.....

I have two different ones, and both have got little flaps that open and they are inside, they are little plastic thingies with paper filters inside them. They look sealed so I guess they have to be binned and replaced with new ones.  I think that's supposed to be done once a year depending on use, but I am sure our friendly oxycon suppliers will tell us if that's right 

Any chance you chaps could put them on your sites for us to order, that way I am sure we'd be more likely to remember to get new ones when we order glass? 

[bubblefizz]

update- i rung martin and he said to run it and then time it as to when it stops running, then feel the sides of the oxycon to feel if its hot or cold, as he thinks it could be the fan
Ive run it and guess what? it never stopped, so im ok for now.......
but i know theres something wrong because the amber light comes on "under normal"

quinton i think we need to know more about cleaning these filters
where are they what do they look like etc..

[Kaz]

Why don't you try bringing it indoors to give it a good clean and warm it up overnight? Mine only plays up in the winter.


For those in the know, where is the second filter? I have never cleaned that.....

I have two different ones, and both have got little flaps that open and they are inside, they are little plastic thingies with paper filters inside them. They look sealed so I guess they have to be binned and replaced with new ones.  I think that's supposed to be done once a year depending on use, but I am sure our friendly oxycon suppliers will tell us if that's right 

Any chance you chaps could put them on your sites for us to order, that way I am sure we'd be more likely to remember to get new ones when we order glass? 

That would be good - otherwise it feels like you are asking for a favour!
Angie - most oxys run with the amber light from time to time so it may not be an issue.
Kazx

[Yellow friend]

Mine starts on the green but invariably goes amber - I'm not watching it so don't know when it changes over.  I think most of thee recon models run on amber - not good enough for human consumption but fine fofr a bit of glass.  Btw  I panicked when mine ceased to function - the lead had dropped out the back! did I feel a bit of a twit.

[kerensky]

Why don't you try bringing it indoors to give it a good clean and warm it up overnight? Mine only plays up in the winter.


For those in the know, where is the second filter? I have never cleaned that.....

I have two different ones, and both have got little flaps that open and they are inside, they are little plastic thingies with paper filters inside them. They look sealed so I guess they have to be binned and replaced with new ones.   I think that's supposed to be done once a year depending on use, but I am sure our friendly oxycon suppliers will tell us if that's right  

Any chance you chaps could put them on your sites for us to order, that way I am sure we'd be more likely to remember to get new ones when we order glass?  

The next chance I get - I shall investigate the said "secret" filter,  and then try and get a replacement, I don't really use mine that much,  perhaps that is why it is still running...... Or perhaps it is all the stroking it gets :-)

Cheers Glenn

[glassworks]

all righty then.... quick "oxycon check up tutorial!"... 

there are two filters on most oxycon's... the big one on the back which filters the biggest fluff and rubbish out of the air, and which can be knocked clean in a jiffy... the smaller one on the inside of the  machine is the one to really get at occasionally... this fine filters the air heading into the pump, and is critical to the oxycon working... on the older model machines it is even more important as the valves (of the air pump) get very VERY easily knackerd by the fine dust particles.. the later model is somewhat more resistant as the valves are ceramic, HOWEVER, both models need (and indeed deserve) warm dry air to work at their best!..

the older style unit has two screws, one top and one bottom, which when undone allow it to be opened like a book with the case hinged at the back.. pry, lever, wiggle and curse the filter off the pipe and replace.. it IS a tight fit - so be careful and take your time.. on the newer style oxycons the case comes apart by undoing the screws on both sides.. just a 90 degree turn will do it, they are just catches.. the sides clip off, allowing you to seperate the front and back covers too.. on the side you will see the same little fine particle filter... this is also cursed off as above, and the new one slid back on..

while you have the covers off either machine it is a great idea to wipe all the visible dust and junk off with a damp cloth, you'll be amazed how much rubbish gets into the boxes... reverse the instructions above and viola, a clean and happy beastie to keep your oxy flowing...

what kills oxycons more than anything else is cold, wet, humid, dusty air.... these beasties are designed to run for thousands of hours without a hitch IF THEY ARE NICE AND WARM INSIDE!!!..  reality is most of ours are in studios wedged in where they can be, but with a little care and cleaning they should give service for ages and ages...

i am sure martin would like to add his tips and tricks here too... anyone with a specific issue on either machine is welcome to ask me directly via msg, or on the post here?.. we do not list them on the shop because we send them out free to whoever wants them?.. maybe an idea to list them on the same page though so that anyone wanting one or two chucked in the box with their order can do so?... 

[julieHB]

Thanks, Q! I have been searching all over "the net" for an oxycon maintenance manual, but so far has not been lucky!!

[Steampunkglass]

Thank you Q, very informative!!! I think my oxycons will get some tlc and maintenance is in order during xmas now! 

[ejralph]

I too would welcome just being able to buy the internal filters from somewhere.

I have an oxycon from each of you, so don't really want to go with begging bowl to both of you for replacements for each machine, when I could easily just buy filters for both machinesnext time I order with whoever is selling them.

Emma

[glassworks]

good point emma, i'll list ours on the oxycon page, but to be honest they are FREE!!!.. we get bags of them from our supplier.. in fact, slight brainwave, i'll include a spare or two in each oxcyon we ship out in the first place!..

anyone else with one of ours please just note it on your next order and we'll drop one in there..