oxycon question

jammie · July 24, 2011, 06:19:39 PM

I need a bit of help with my understanding of the oxycon please. I have set it to between 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 and the little black ball bounces between the 3 1/2 and 41/2 when it bounces upwards, there is a surge and a slight wheeze at the torch and the little cones flare upwards and come back down again as the little ball bounces back to the lower number. Is this meant to happen?

Dragonfire Glass · July 24, 2011, 07:04:44 PM

erm, no.
Mine doesn't do that.
try ringing Martin

Jolene · July 24, 2011, 07:31:49 PM

It doesn't sound right to me either Jeanie, Martin would be your best bet for advice.

Jo x

Fruddy · July 24, 2011, 07:59:24 PM

Ditto the others Jean - I set mine to 4 and it stays there, doesn't bounce.

jammie · July 25, 2011, 11:24:48 AM

Ok, I phoned Martin who was great! He said what the problem might be on one of his but mine isn't from him, but I sent him a photo. He cant service it as its its not his. Mines is from Quentin at glassworks but I dont know how to contact him as he hasn't been around the forum for ages. I got it fom Mel on here and have pmd her, but she says it was fine when she sent it out. It had the front panel slightly dented in but my OH just opened it and pushed it back, can't see that that would have made any real difference. I am at a loss as to know what to do.

Blue Box Studio · July 25, 2011, 01:03:52 PM

I thiunk when I turn mine on the ball bounces around a bit then settles back at 0 until I open up the oxy on the torch to 4. But then it's static. It is one of Martin's and I followed the destructions at the time. Hope you can get it fixed.

jammie · July 25, 2011, 01:08:22 PM

Martin's on the case. He's going to have a look at the photos and see what he can find out. He's really kind as I phoned twice and I know he's busy and its not even one of his!

I found a bit broken off where the blue valve that's closed off on the front is, behind it on the inside it connects to a black cylinder bit, its broken off completely, so this probably did happen in the post as it is right behind the bit where it was dented.

If I stick a thumb over it it quietens down and the ball seems to settle.

Blue Kiln Beads · July 25, 2011, 03:38:39 PM

I'm no expert, but I had no wnd of trouble with mine. I the end I replaced some tubing (with dad's help) and it is running better than has run for ages. The flickering ball and funny flame sounds like air might be getting in/out where it souldn't be, try the tubes....... $:-\$

jammie · July 25, 2011, 03:47:49 PM

Hmm had a look at the tubes and all seems fine there. The broken bit I have managed to get another bit for thanks to Martins kindness, so hopefully that will be all it needs. The bit that's broken is at the front where the blue valve is, it attaches to a black plastic cylinder behind it and it has snapped right off so the air is getting out there, so ones it's sealed off again hopefully that'll be ok. What is that blue plastic valve bit for and how should it be set...anyone know?

HelenV · July 26, 2011, 10:29:17 AM

If the black ball is bouncing it usually means there is a leak somewhere - there are a few good posts on here from Red Hot Sal about it - worth a look.

I would check your external connections and tubing first and then it might be worth to switch it off and have a peek inside - they are quite simple inside and its easy to spot if any of the tubing has split / corroded.

Hope that helps x

jammie · July 26, 2011, 12:42:17 PM

All sorted now! Was the connector behind the blue valve had been broken off in the post and air was going out there.

stuwaudby · July 27, 2011, 01:02:10 PM

The wheeze you were hearing is caused by a solenoid which switches the air separation between recycle and forward flow. If the output demand is low then the oxycon will recirulate it's output to increase the purity of the oxygen. It sounds like your machine had a leak on the recycle line.