Oxycon problem!!!!

mariag · May 19, 2010, 05:19:41 PM

Help please!!!!

My oxycon started playing up, switching off after 5 mins of torching so I opened it up, checked inside & hoovered it but still the same problem.

Today I decided to run the oxycon by itself & it merrily chugged along for 45 mins to an hour with no problems

I then decided to try making some beads thinking it was OK but it's started doing the same thing again

Can anyone answer why it will run by itself OK but not when I introduce the propane with it?

GlassOcean · May 19, 2010, 05:56:33 PM

Mine did the same for a while, it still runs on an orange light but I can only run it on 3 lpm or it cuts out. Sorry that isn't really an answer but you are not on your own sweetpea!

mariag · May 19, 2010, 06:03:54 PM

Thanks Kerensa, I'll give it a go on 3 lpm, it's been on 4.5 but anything's gotta be better than constant stop/start!!

Redhotsal · May 19, 2010, 06:39:58 PM

Just a theory....if you 're running it without a "load" i.e. if it is chugging away by itself and not feeding into your torch, when you do connect it up the torch represents some kind of restriction to the airflow - even if the torch valve is open there will be resistance to the oxygen flowing as freely as it did before it is connected up.

So, if you have a slight leak inside the oxycon this will become worse as the "back pressure" will put more pressure on all the joints. If you have a leak inside the oxycon it'll usually turn itself off.

Does this make any sense? You need to check the internal tubes of the oxycon. They're usually a yellowish colour and usually as brittle as hell, so even a small crack will cause enough of a leak to be a problem.

mariag · May 19, 2010, 06:44:34 PM

Thanks for that Sal, I'll take a good look at those.
If there is a crack can you repair it with tape or does this mean it's nearing the end ?

tsarvo · May 19, 2010, 07:20:47 PM

Mine has been stopping for no reason,
so i am going to send it for a service.

i have lost count how many times it has stoped today

Bobbo · May 19, 2010, 08:08:16 PM

Quote from: tsarvo on May 19, 2010, 07:20:47 PM
Mine has been stopping for no reason,
so i am going to send it for a service.

i have lost count how many times it has stoped today

Do you mind if I ask where you'll be getting it serviced and how much you think it might cost?

Thanks,

Rob.

tsarvo · May 19, 2010, 08:28:24 PM

Quote from: Bobbo on May 19, 2010, 08:08:16 PM
Quote from: tsarvo on May 19, 2010, 07:20:47 PM
Mine has been stopping for no reason,
so i am going to send it for a service.

i have lost count how many times it has stoped today

Do you mind if I ask where you'll be getting it serviced and how much you think it might cost?

Thanks,

Rob.

Martin is doing it at Tuffnels, haven't had full price yet.
give them a ring or drop them an email and they will send you the information you need.

Sarah

Redhotsal · May 19, 2010, 08:37:52 PM

Hmm....really you need to replace the tubing - there's different thicknesses and diameters - you'd have to measure what you've got. B&Q sell polypropylene but the original tubing appears to be silicon, which you can get online.
Don't honestly know which is advisable to have. Perhaps a supplier would like to step in and advise at this point?

Bobbo · May 19, 2010, 10:25:13 PM

Quote from: tsarvo on May 19, 2010, 08:28:24 PM

Martin is doing it at Tuffnels, haven't had full price yet.
give them a ring or drop them an email and they will send you the information you need.
Sarah

Thanks Sarah.

Rob.

mariag · May 19, 2010, 10:31:40 PM

Thanks again Sal. I'll have a rummage around the machine & see what's what tomorrow.

That's interesting info about the service Sarah, might have to send Martin an email.

mariag · May 23, 2010, 09:36:20 PM

Well, I managed to get out to the shed today & was able to torch for about 4 hours

I ran the oxy at 3 lpm & it worked really well & I even had the green light on for some of the time & that hasn't happened in a while.

Thanks Kerensa for the advice & thanks to Sal too but I think that I'll see how it goes before I start messing around with the tubing!!