Dual Fuel Newbie daft question of the day

[richardnash666]

Bought a Bethlehem Alpha Torch and one of Martin's reconditioned Oxy Cons at flame off yesterday

Have managed to get it all plumbed together.

Martin has already told me about POOP

I have managed to get a flame lit but am having issues getting a good stable neutral flame.

I think that my propane regulator is set OK basically set quite low.

I suspect oxygen as the torch is louder than expected and close to the nozzles keep getting what looks like a reduction flame.

Have tried some instruction about getting a 6 inch (ish) propane flame and then feed in the oxy. Flame looks like it is going to settle but then little reduction flames come and go randomly around the flame.

Do I have the oxycon valve too open as have nearly it all the way open....with the idea that the torch would then control the flow. Should this be set less.

Any help would be gratefully accepted as have managed to get a little frustrated and am sure there is nothing wrong other than the balance of the setup

Cheers

R

[bearyboo]

I am sure someone more knowledgeable will be along shortly but it sounds like you have too much oxygen. The little black ball inside the oxycon which shows the pressure should be between 4 - 5.

Danielle

[richardnash666]

Right that sounds like it. That is just above 5.

Will have a look and a slight adjustment tomorrow when have propane attached again.

Also read something about having the oxycon on with the torch valve open for 20 mins beforehand to let it settle. Am happy to do that but not sure it is needed.

Will turn the oxycon valve down to get the ball somewhere around 4 or 5.

Thanks for the speedy reply

[Calico Cat]

The propane regulator is usually about 3.5 Bar if that helps - although the Bethlehem torches work on lower pressures than Nortel or GTT.

[Shirley]

If you think everything is set ok then turn on your oxycon and let it run for a bit. 10 minutes or so at least, with the knob on the torch open to allow the oxygen through so it doesn't back up in the system. Then turn the oxygen knob on the torch, light the torch and gradually open the oxygen until the ball on the oxycon comes up to around five.

The little flames around the main flame usually settle down, but if you are still having a problem after a few minutes you might be wise to contact Martin. My first oxycon did this and never settled, and I waited far too long before I accepted there was a problem. It turned out there was a fault and Martin swapped it.

[Steampunkglass]

I'd do as Shirley suggests, the oxygen stores up a little in a tank inside, so if you leave it open for 20mins all you are doing is emptying this tank before it can fill. Better to let it run for at least 5 mins to charge it up, after that you may get a bit of air for 30sec-2mins as it pushes any air out of the torch pipes.

Also if you close the taps on the torch, then turn off the oxycon the black ball should drop to the bottom. If it doesn't hit the bottom of the indicator then you have a leak in your oxygen pipes, (the indicator is showing it's still supplying oxygen from the storage tank inside the oxycon) and you will need to check the connections again.

Hope that helps

[richardnash666]

Sounds like I will be busy after work tomorrow.

So if I have this straight this is what I will be doing

1) Adjust oxycon valve so ball floats between 4 and 5
2) Let it run for 10 mins to stabilise
3) Close the oxy valve on torch
4) Light torch and gently feed in the oxy
5) Make many beads

If this doesn't resolve the issue I will give Tuffnells a ring to see what they advise.

But am still feeling excited about using my shiny new equipment. Fingers crossed the above will sort this out

[babyshoes]

For what it's worth, it takes my oxy a while to settle at the start of a session, and it did take a while to figure out the new equipment when I first got it - frustrating when all you want to do is play!!

I'm sure you will get it figured out before long with all the advice you've had so far, and if not, well, you've met Martin & know how friendly he is - just give him a ring. I'd offer to pop round if I thought I could be any help, but I'm rubbish at the technical side I'm afraid...

[Shirley]

Sounds like I will be busy after work tomorrow.

So if I have this straight this is what I will be doing

1) Adjust oxycon valve so ball floats between 4 and 5
2) Let it run for 10 mins to stabilise
3) Close the oxy valve on torch
4) Light torch and gently feed in the oxy
5) Make many beads

If this doesn't resolve the issue I will give Tuffnells a ring to see what they advise.

But am still feeling excited about using my shiny new equipment. Fingers crossed the above will sort this out

yep, although step 1) is where you want to be at the end of step 4)

[Trudi]

I have an alpha ..... I do find that when I light it I need have the propane on for a minute or two before I sloawly turn on the oxygen. Maybe it's a thing with my torch but it might help!

[garishglobes]

I would always leave the oxygen knob on the torch open, at least a small bit, to avoid pressure building up in the Oxycon and blowing it - I am sure I remember reading that this was sensible....  So I wouldn't close the oxy valve on the torch completely. Unless I misread!

[Shirley]

I close mine completely for a couple of seconds while I light the flame. That is all.

[flame n fuse]

I do what Shirley does.

[Jellybean]

I leave my oxy open all the time...

[fionaess]

I three leave my oxygen open all the time