Natasha, I have worked on many regulators over the years. The problem
you are have is usually associated with oxygen regulators. The
problem you are having is usually caused by a faulty valve seat,
which is located under the diaphragm. It is very rare for Smith
regulators to have this problem, especially for acetylene. But, if
you have been laying the tank on its side during use, or even laying
it on it’s side during transport from the place where you get it
filled, this may cause a problem. Acetylene tanks have a sort of
antifreeze in them. When they are laid on their side this substance
soaks into a foam separator that is suppose to keep it out of your
regulator. This substance is very gooey and can hold the regulator
seat open and allow the pressure to creep uncontrollably. If you lay
you tank on it’s side during transportation, then let it sit up for
at least two or three hours before using. Some would, and maybe
should, recommend a much longer period of time before using.
If this does not sound like a possible problem for you, then please
Email me back or call me at 1 (800) 659-3835.
I am no expert on regulators, but probably should be. My son has a
degree in welding and has given me lessons in the safe and smart use
of my oxy/propane equipment. My fuel dealer agrees with these …
Lesson one: NEVER turn the cylinder valve quickly! Crack it
sloooowly, and ease it up slowly. To do otherwise is to damage the
diaphragm, causing tank contents to creep past the regulator and
increase pressure beyond that which I need and safe.
Lesson two: Always turn off tanks at the end of the day. Bleed down
the contents of lines. Close all valves at the end of the process,
both cylinder and torch.
Lesson three: Get all the free advise you can from your fuel gas
and oxygen dealer. And, then, follow it and call them when you have
questions or problems.
Lesson four: Buy good equipment and maintain it carefully.
Of course there is more, but that the short of regulators, They
are fragile, and it only takes one fast yank on the cylinder valve to
mess it up,
it seems to me that if this were true, the regulators in the places
I teach wouldn’t last a week. Everything in these classrooms gets
abuse, but we’ve had the same regulators forever.
I’m a little puzzled by the replies to this problem. If the pressure
creeps up, doesn’t that have to mean that the main tank valve is
leaking? If the tank is truly shut off, how can the pressure
possibly rise? That’s not a regulator issue, it’s a tank valve
issue. Or am I missing something?