Troubleshooting Victor Regulators

Problems, Possible Causes, and Solutions

CAUSES

CORRECTIONS
1. No gas flows through the regulator and the H.P. gauge does not register pressure.
  • Regulator's inlet or inlet filter is plugged.
  • Blow 40-45 PSIG of air through the filter in reverse direction of the normal gas flow.
  • Empty cylinder.
  • Replace the cylinder.
2. No gas flows through the regulator when the H.P. gauge indicates pressure.
  • Damaged spring button
  • Replace the spring button.
  • Outlet connection plugged.
  • Clear the outlet connection of any debris.
  • Repaired with incorrect adjusting screw.
  • Replace the adjusting screw.
  • Broken spring.
  • Replace the spring.
  • Broken seat stem.
  • Replace the seat.
3. Gauges do not indicate pressure, but gas flows through the regulator.
  • Defective gauge.
  • Replace the gauge.
4. Regulator hums or clatters while flowing.
  • Missing friction washer.
  • Install a friction washer.
  • Flow exceeds regulator capacity.
  • Reduce the flow to the maximum rating of the regulator.
  • Restriction upstream of regulator.
  • Remove the restriction.
5. Regulator experiences excessive drop.
  • Friction washer too tight.
  • Replace the friction washer.
  • Wrong size orifice in test gun.
  • Partially plugged inlet filter.
  • Clean or replace the inlet filter.
  • Repaired with incorrect adjusting spring.
  • Replace the adjusting spring.
  • Low cylinder pressure.
  • Replace the cylinder.
  • Flow exceeds regulator capacity.
  • Reduce the flow to the maximum rating of the regulator.
6. Regulator does not deliver in its designed delivery pressure range.
  • Repaired with incorrect adjusting spring or spring button.
  • Replace the adjusting spring or spring button.
  • Repaired with incorrect adjusting screw.
  • Replace the adjusting screw.
7. Relief valve opens greater or lesser than marked pressure.
  • Repaired with incorrect adjusting spring.
  • Replace the adjusting spring.
  • Defective L.P. gauge.
  • Replace the L.P. gauge.
8. Increase in the L.P. gauge reading.
  • Loose nozzle.
  • Tighten the nozzle to 16-20 ft. lbs. of torque.
  • Accumulation of foreign particles on seat assembly or seating surfaces.
  • Clean or replace the seat assembly.
  • Missing nozzle gasket.
  • Install a nozzle gasket.
9. With the cylinder valve closed, the H.P. gauge indicator drops and there is no immediate increase in the pressure on the L.P. gauge.
  • Loose connection (regulator to cylinder or regulator to manifold)
  • Tighten the regulator to the cylinder or manifold.
  • Loose connection (inlet swivel to regulator body)
  • Tighten the swivel using 20-25 ft. lbs. of torque.
  • Loose connection (H.P. gauge to regulator body)
  • Tight the H.P. gauge using 10 ft. lbs. of torque minimal.
  • Leaking gauge.
  • Replace the gauge.
  • Loose back plug (if applicable)
  • Tighten the back plug.
10. L.P. gauge indicator slowly drops and there is no decrease in pressure on the H.P. gauge when the cylinder valve is closed.
  • Test gun is not attached securely.
  • Tighten the test gun.
  • Loose connections at the regulator body (outlet connection, L.P. gauge or relief valve).
  • Tighten the connections to the torque stated on the bulletin.
  • Loose connection (cap to body).
  • Tighten the cap to torque stated on the bulletin.
  • Damaged diaphragm.
  • Replace the diaphragm.
11. Rapid pressure drop on both gauges.
  • Loose connection (cap to body).
  • Tighten the cap to the torque stated on the bulletin.
  • Loose connection (regulator to manifold or cylinder).
  • Tighten the regulator to the cylinder or manifold.
  • Cracked body.
  • Replace the body.
12. Rapid increase in L.P. gauge reading.
  • Damaged or loose nozzle.
  • Replace or tighten the nozzle.
  • Accumulation of foreign particles on the seat assembly or seating surfaces.
  • Clean or replace the seat assembly.
  • Crack on the H.P. side of the body.
  • Replace the body.
  • Damaged nozzle gasket.
  • Replace the nozzle gasket.
  • Improper adjusting spring (too long).
  • Replace the adjusting screw.

CAUTION: Welding apparatus that is improperly maintained or repaired can be dangerous.  Some parts and accessories from one manufacturer may fit apparatus from other manufacturers, but the assembly may not conform to the standards of either manufacturer.  For your own safety, specify and use parts and attachments from only one manufacturer in any assembly according to that manufacturer's specifications.

Service and repair of welding apparatus should be performed only by a qualified repair technician.  Improper service or repair, or modification of a product could result in damage to the product or injury to the operator.

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Information contained herein is offered without charge for use by technically qualified personnel at their discretion and risk. All statements, technical information and recommendations contained herein are based on tests and data which we believe to be reliable, but the accuracy or completeness thereof Is not guaranteed and no warranty of any kind Is made with respect thereto. This Information Is not Intended as a license to operate under or a recommendation to practice or Infringe any patent of Argyle Welding Supply or others covering any process, composition of matter or use. Since Argyle Welding Supply shall have no control of the use of the information described herein, Argyle Welding Supply assumes no liability for loss, damage, or personal injury Incurred from the proper or Improper use of such product.