MM130xp Reculator Dying

[Jim Kinney]

My welder is almost 2 years old and the second regulator is dying. The first one quit flowing at just under a year old and I took it back to the store where I bought the welder and they gave me a new one. This one stills flows, but between welds the gauge goes up to the peg. When I start welding again it comes back down and flows correctly. I figure since it's out of warranty, I will replace it with a better regulator, maybe one with a flowmeter on it.

Just wondered if anybody else was having problems like mine with their regulators. Other than that, I'm very happy with the welder. I have used it to build gates, exhaust systems and a small utility trailer.

Jim
Tempe, AZ

[deere_x475guy]

Re: MM130xp Reculator Dying

Originally posted by Jim Kinney
My welder is almost 2 years old and the second regulator is dying. The first one quit flowing at just under a year old and I took it back to the store where I bought the welder and they gave me a new one. This one stills flows, but between welds the gauge goes up to the peg. When I start welding again it comes back down and flows correctly. I figure since it's out of warranty, I will replace it with a better regulator, maybe one with a flowmeter on it.

Just wondered if anybody else was having problems like mine with their regulators. Other than that, I'm very happy with the welder. I have used it to build gates, exhaust systems and a small utility trailer.

Jim
Tempe, AZ

Hi have a smith guage on mine. What make is yours? I also bought a regular flow guage for my spray transfer setup.

Bob

[Jim Kinney]

Hi Bob,

Looks like I need to learn how to spell, I just noticed my title. Oh well, 6.5 years of college down the drain.

I had to check, this one is also a Smith. It doesn't have a knob to adjust the flow, just a screw with a lock nut.

The gauge is calibrated for flow, but I'm sure it's just a pressure gauge. The thing that worries me, is what the high pressure will do to the solenoid in the welder.

Jim

[Sberry]

I didnt look at that post earlier as I didnt know quite what a reculator was and thought it might be some part at engineering level and I dont know nuttin bout that stuff. But, pegging the needle cant be good. I think I need to fix some flow problems on my tig too as it really seems to eat up a bottle of gas.

[Hobart Expert Rock]

JIM KINNEY.........AH I CAN'T SPELL EITHER........ I LOOK AT THE KEYS WHEN I TYPE............. WHY NOT GIVE SMITH A CALL MAYBE THEY HAVE A REBUILD KIT...........OR IF THEY CAN'T FIX THEM THEY CAN OFFER A DIFFERENT SOLUTION.......... THERE PHONE NUMBER IS 1-800-327-7572................AND THEY ARE AN ITW OWNED COMPANY.........PEGGING THE GAUGE WILL LEAD TO FAILURE..... I WOULD NOT BE USEING IT UNTIL IT WAS REPAIRED........ MY .02CENTS WORTH..........BE SAFE NOW..............................................R OCK..................
[email protected]

[Jim Kinney]

Thanks for the replies. As an ingeneer, I usually don't have to spell it correctly, but I try.

Rock, I will see if I can find a part number tonight and give them a call in the morning. I didn't want to continue welding with it after I noticed the problem, but I finished the last bead on the project I was working on and quit.

Sberry, I checked the flow when I got the welder using one of those flow tubes with the little ball in it, and it was pretty accurate. I haven't checked it since I noticed the problem, but would guess the flow is ok after I start welding.

Jim

[Thomas Harris]

I have never used a reculator. I have many wreckulators in my possesion though. Just joking!

[Roger]

What your seeing is normal failure mode of a regulator. Replacing the disc and retainer or whatever they call the part with the soft seat that regulates gas flow threw the orifice will make it almost good as new. Can replace that part maybe 4 times then errosion at top of volcano shaped orifice needs lapped out with stick of cratex.

If it is neglected regulator will freeflow putting high pressure to places made for low pressure. Probably the solenoid valve would relieve excess pressure.