highest quality flow regulators? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2023, 03:50:09 am
content: For a gas flow reg, there is options like Victor, Smith, Harris.What is the best brand? what makes them the best?I hardly noticed the difference between a harris and victor during disassembly

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2023, 07:02:19 pm
content: I haven't paid a lot of attention to the brands, they all worked. The liability is so great for them, that a US company would be foolish to put out something that didn't work. Every brand I have used, including dealer rebranded units has worked fine for many years.The distinction I make is whether it is two stage or single stage. Two stage gives a more steady pressure regardless of flowrate or tank pressure. If you are also using a flow gauge (e.g., ball gauge) with a needle valve, the single stage will work fine for applications like welding and where you can adjust as needed.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2023, 01:58:26 am
content: that is like a ballasting resistor.But I mean, what goes on inside there. Is it the tolerances of the machining? the quality of the moldings? materials quality?I basically took all the ones I have apart for service and inspection and they kinda look the same.Do they have dual stage regulators w/ the restrictor valve?That is like putting two regulators in series?I have HRF2425's for the argon and argon CO2. They are single stage w/ flow meter. I thought that it was pretty high end, but I guess you could have a two stage version. HmmBut from another perspective, there is more rubber in a dual stage one. That is the part that is going to go bad. I wonder if reliability goes down. Nothing quite as bad as rubber in electronics circuits.I don't think they sell a two stage flow meter. you would need to add a flow meter and valve to a dual stage pressure regulator for a DIY one.But as far as I know, the restrictor valve stabilizes it more then any amount of pressure regulation would stabilize it (its a constant current source) to load impedance changes

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2023, 09:17:21 am
content: A single stage regulator with adjustable flow meter is just fine for MIG welding. That's what I have used since 1983.Why are you worried how they work? My worries are that it works and is safe.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2023, 04:50:10 am
content: well I can't seem to find the regulator I want used so I was going to buy it, but I have to make the decision from who.Experience in looking at the parts told me exactly jack shit, they look basically the same.I am kind of wondering if its some how like a difference between a keithley and a HPonly thing that stood out is that it seems that harris uses plastic bushings for the gauges and victor expects sealant compoundand I bought a harris dual flow meter for my purge fixture. Kind of wish I did not buy the single flow meters from victor but I suppose now my MIG and my helium tank has proper regulators on it. Decided two argon tanks is just too much crap to have around.