Bushy flame

[thetabird]

I just decided I want to get my Nortel minor going again a play a little. Ended up buying a new propane regulator and new hoses. I use a concentrator and whe I lit it I get a big bushy flame. It’s been a while since I torched and don’t remember having this happen
I’m wondering what I need to do to get the flame down to at least a neutral flame.flame

[designerbeads]

how long has the concentrator been sitting unused? It doesn't sound like you are getting good/enough oxygen.

[thetabird]

5 plus years. I have been trying to find someone to look and probably repair it. It’s just a hobby and so I’m not sure it’s one i can afford.

[Eileen]

Where is a concentrator place in? I think Ocala, I don't know if you'd be up for that drive but you could call them. I'm having a hard time remembering the name other than it starts with an a, but maybe if you Google oxygen concentrator repair near Ocala you would find it. It might be something like Atlas or another short word like that.

[thetabird]

I live in S Fl. Might think about ocala if I get to visit my brother in Marianna. Been looking on Marketplace for a used one close by.

[KJohn]

You mean some oxy is getting through and causing a bushy flame but you can't adjust it to neutral, correct? is it steady or "breathing", going in little bursts.

I would check how much propane you are using. Does it burst into a bushy flame when you light it, and then settle down a little? You will probably need to adjust the regulator a few times to get it where you need it. Especially if it's a new tank as well. With that torch, you would want to run it about 2-3.

For the oxycon, you don't want to run it fully open. Leave it wide open at the torch but adjust the sliding gauge on the left (usually) on the unit until the little ball hits the tip of the arrow sticker. You can clean the filter as well.

You have a new hose which is great. Make sure your torch is clean.

That's all I can think of. Since it's a hobby you should be able to find something relatively inexpensive on Craigslist that works just fine for you, if you do need a new one. Good luck & let us know.

[thetabird]

Thanks everyone. This has been a huge headache. My concentrator stopped working after all the testing so that probably was the issue. I’ve been looking and once you look on Facebook you get all kinds of ads. Looks like you can get a refurbished one for $400 with free shipping. That may be the way to go. But for now I plan to chill out and decide if I want to spend that. Seems like these machines want to go all the time. Haha I was happily surprised…I was thinking in the thousands.

[KJohn]

Nah doesn't have to cost thousands.

You might get lucky and find something local for less, as well. You could always get a hothead and hose for now, and at least melt glass for a while and think about it.

[thetabird]

I actually got the oxy on running and turned it down, cleaned the torch. I even put the old regulator back on and the line gauge wouldn’t move. I did send a message to Frank Art Glass with the situation and wondering if maybe the regulator I bought on Amazon might be the problem.(they are all from China) So I may just have to be a hot head girl.

[kevingreenbmx]

this guy in NC is really good at helping Lampworkers out with diagnosing and repairing Oxycons. https://bradshawoxygen.com/

What regulator? Normally you don't use a regulator for Oxygen if running straight from concentrators.

[thetabird]

The propane regulator.

[KJohn]

if your propane regulator is not responsive then you need another one. My propane regualtors fail fairly frequently, likely due to the high heat here. There was some advice on here recently about how to repair it yourself and save oodles of money. I haven't yet tried that. But if it's old, then you might want to replace the rubber thingabob. The seal? O-ring? Or just get a new one. The one I'm using now is from Amazon and it's working fine. I really hate spending $140 a pop

[thetabird]

I wanted to let all the helpful people know that I found an oxygen concentrator 45 minutes away and bought it. It has solved my problem.

[KJohn]

Excellent!