Shielding Gas Usage Question

I have a #3 Argon Bottle from Airgas. I have a 200DX and I have used it twice. The first time a month back when I first got it, I played around running a few beads. Today I used to to weld 2 small 3" angle clips on to an 1-1/2" tubing, and now my bottle is out of gas. I may have welded 30-45min tops. Am I using too much gas? I have not checked for leaks because I was out of gas before I realized how quickly the bottle was empty. I should have checked the bottle when I got home to make sure I had a full bottle.

did you shut off the valve on the tank when you were done with it back last month? I shut mine off when I done welding for the day.

I run a cfh guage and its at 12 -15. in lpm that is like 6

Litres and cup size are pretty much the same eg a #5 cup gets 5 litres a #7 gets 7 litres etc etc.. most important to close the valve on the bottle. If I had a dollar for everytime my oldman told me to close the valves on A/O, I could easly buy a new welder.

also if you are not opening that valve on that bottle all the way it will leak at the valve the seats on the valve only seal at all the way open and all the way closed

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Originally Posted by Wookie

also if you are not opening that valve on that bottle all the way it will leak at the valve the seats on the valve only seal at all the way open and all the way closed

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Exactly right, most screw activated valves only really seal in two positions full closed or fully open, even your water vales in the house work that way if you don't open them fully they leak along the screw stem..

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Originally Posted by geezer

Exactly right, most screw activated valves only really seal in two positions full closed or fully open, even your water vales in the house work that way if you don't open them fully they leak along the screw stem..

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Well I can tell you I never fully open the valves on any cylinder. I do close the valve even when I am using the machine and it is going to sit for 15-20 minutes. I also think I am running the gas pressure to high.

What WAS your setting?

20 I believe.

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Originally Posted by SeanMurphy265

20 I believe.

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LPM or CFH...20CFH is a bit high...20lpm is crazy high

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Originally Posted by SeanMurphy265

I have a #3 Argon Bottle from Airgas. I have a 200DX and I have used it twice. The first time a month back when I first got it, I played around running a few beads. Today I used to to weld 2 small 3" angle clips on to an 1-1/2" tubing, and now my bottle is out of gas. I may have welded 30-45min tops. Am I using too much gas? I have not checked for leaks because I was out of gas before I realized how quickly the bottle was empty. I should have checked the bottle when I got home to make sure I had a full bottle.

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Check to make sure your regulator has no cracks or leaks at all the threaded connections. There were some regulators from Everlast with issues. The gauge on the regulator that came with my PP256 last year, leaked internally. Katya sent me a replacement super quick, and yes, always close the tank valve after welding. It's also a good idea to bleed off the argon pressure,by tapping the pedal (welder on) after closing the valve.

I believe the gauges are different now....not to say we won't have a problem, but they should be better.