I think
anyone running an Oxygen concentrator can benefit from a holding tank. It is
an in expensive way to boost the performance of your torch and concentrator.
I spent $50 setting mine up. The principle is to give the torch a large
reserve of compressed 02 to draw from. Here is an example. I run a
Bethlehem Barracuda Split Manifold torch with 2 Oxygen Unlimited M-20
concentrators and an 11 gallon holding tank. The Barracuda consumes 20 lpm of
02 at 10-20psi when running wide open while two M-20's will put out18 lpm at
20psi. I rarely run full blast and much of the time I am using the center fire
and consume very little 02. During this time my concentrator is pumping a
steady 18 lpm into the holding tank while I am probably using 5 lpm.
This means I am building a 13 lpm surplus and gradually filling my holding tank. Then when I need more oomph
I can burn the surplus at much higher rate than the 18 liter per minute output of
the two concentrators until the tank runs dry and I am back to the normal output of
the concentrators. Please note the photos in the tutorial are of one M-20 concentrator. I have since added a second to increase my reserve even more. With this combination I am at least 95% of the torches available heat. Yes you can run a large torch on concentrators! I generally don’t run the reserve dry in the hour or
so I spend on each bead. The larger the holding tank the larger the reserve
but also the longer it takes to build. I think with smaller torches and
concentrators a 7 gallon holding tank may be appropriate. I do not believe a
holding tank could in any way cause any damage to a concentrator. As long as
you keep the 02 valve on your torch cracked open as you would usually do when
the concentrator is on then you will not build any more back pressure than you
would running a straight concentrator torch system. Concentrators operate a set pressure and adding a holding tank will not increase the PSI . Only Volume
is being increased by using a holding tank.
Here is how to do it.
Supply List:
1Air Carry Tank: 11 gallon for
multiple or large volume concentrators. 7 gallon for single small
concentrators. You can purchase these at Wal-Mart or any auto parts store.
Wal-Mart had a 7 gallon for $19.99
1 ¼ inch Hose End: Hardware store in
the Compressed air tool section $4
2 small hose clamps: Hardware store $1
1 roll Thread Seal Tape: Hardware store
in the Compressed Air tool Section $1
1 Valve replacement kit: Auto parts
section of Wal-Mart $3
Step1.
Remove the Air carry tank from its box.
Step 2.
Remove
the valve from the inflation stem. The little springy thing inside the
fill stem is the valve. You can sometimes work them out with a tiny
screwdriver or super tiny tweezers. I prefer to spend the $3 on a valve
replacement kit which comes with a nifty tool for removing the valve. If
all else fails you can stop by a tire store and have them remove the
valve for you
Here I am
using the tool to remove the valve
Step 3.
Open fill valve all the way. In my case it is the little red twist
valve. I have seen different colors and shapes. Twist counter clockwise as far
as it will go
Step 4.
Wrap ¼ hose end threads with 2 layers of thread seal tape. Be sure to
wrap clockwise as it will unwrap as you thread it in if you don’t . I am
actually wrapping the wrong direction in this picture and had to redo it!!!!
Step 5.
Thread Hose end into opening where inflation hose is supposed to go.
Directly opposite the fill stem. My air carry tank came with the inflation
hose unattached. It is possible you will have to remove this hose in order to
install the hose end. Be sure and tighten with a wrench.
Step 6. Attach air line from the concentrator to the inflation stem. Use a
small hose clamp to secure.
Step 7. Attach air line to the torch to the hose end with a small clamp
That’s It!!!!
It is important to let the
concentrator run a few minutes to begin filling the tank before you light the
torch. I run my concentrator set at its highest usable rating into the holding tank.
Remember, just as with the straight concentrator it is important to allow the
02 valve on your torch to be open a small amount to allow the pressure to vent
off. If you don't you run the risk of rupturing a seal in the concentrator.
When you are finished torching for the day allow the tank to run out of air
through the torch. This will help cool the torch and keep the 02 from leaking
back through the concentrator which is a bad thing.
While I found this to work
well for me. I am in no way guaranteeing any results. I am not an expert in
Oxygen concentrators and cannot be held responsible for the results of anyone
using the information I am presenting.
That said I think this is a
great and inexpensive way to boost the performance of your concentrator and
torch.
Good Luck!!!!
Sorry, but there are no products matching this criteria. Please try again.
