Victor Edge 2.0 Acetylene Regulator Trouble ???

[Gordon Gould]

One year old - bought almost exactly 1 year ago to replace my ancient Prest-O-Lite regulator. Apparently a bad move.

I use it very sporadically. Today I tried. When I went to adjust the Acetylene pressure with the torch valve closed it was jerky not smooth. It would go putt and the pressure would jump up. It would continue like that - putt putt putt. Then it would just sit steady until I opened the torch valve and it would putt putt again. The pressure would jump from 3 to 6 psi on each putt and drop from 6 to 3 psi between putts. I nervously lit it up and the flame pulsed as you would expect. After a while ( couple minutes ) the pressure stabilized a 6 psi with a smooth flame and no more putts. If I tried to change the pressure setting it would start pulsing again. At that point I shut it down.

I am trying to figure what to do next. Any help would be good.

gg

 

[hosspuller]

Had the same problem with a Victor torch set. I always relieved pressure when not in use. New regulator fixed problem. I believe it's the diaphragm causing the issue. No one local will repair it, but if you can get the parts,
DIY.

 

[yomax4]

Warranty. Call Victor.

 

[jaxs]

I'd get the model,serial and anything else available and call Victor. If they are smart they will at least share cost of repair/replacement. If you don't get satisfaction,diaphram is inexpensive and a diy job.

 

[WranglerX]

IF you have to go DIY, parts are available...

Repair Parts – Regulator and Torch Exchange, Inc.

regulatortorchrepair.com

 

[Gordon Gould]

Warranty. Call Victor.

Thanks ! It took a little looking, as they don't shout it out, but the Edge Series 2.0 regulators are on their list of products with a life time warranty. So I will do what you say.

Still it's a bummer when you go and grab the torch cuz you need it and it doesn't work. Makes me wonder if I would be better off with something else.

gg

 

[Smokeydog]

Know the feeling. My OA system doesn’t get used much anymore. Had diaphragm failure and my LWS repaired while confessing they don’t do that anymore. Would not accept payment so left a tip. Once their spare parts are gone there gone. Expense and safety concerns of OA can be an issue.

Most of the cutting now with hypertherm plasma. Very happy with it. Clean and fast. Cuts with saw-like accuracy. Pairs well with my use of scrap steel supply.

Heating to bend done in forge.

Once a common farm tool now OA sees little use. I still have receipts of $6-8 for bottle fills. Now the drive cost more than that. Not ready to get rid of it yet but seldom sees use.

 

[jaxs]

If things never broke,there would be no need for warranties but things do break and you have a warranty. By "better off with something else" do you mean hacksaw,plasma,chop saw or a different torch? There is no one size fit's all answer but if it's true misery loves company you are in luck here. You paid about $200 for the set and had it fail when you needed it. Read through these forums to see people that paid $20k for tractors that sometimes don't work when they need them. On the flip side it's no wonder some folks stuff seem's to never work considering the way they abuse it. No offense but do you avoid using acetylene with tank laying down or using too soon after setting upright? Are you familiar with 1/7 withdrawl rule? There's many ways to shorten tool life. A neighbor came to use my torch and used the tip to knock slag off. He said it didn't matter and put his tail over his back when i showed him the damaged tip and asked him to pay for it.

 

[Gordon Gould]

All I can say to all that jaxs is that it is only one year old and I have used it the same as I have used my old Linde Prest-O-Lite set for decades which is carefully and with understanding.

gg

 

[Smokeydog]

Gordon, seen your work and wish I had your skills.

The LWS I use did a multi million $$ facility upgrade a few years ago to keep up with their competition. Miss the well worn creaky wood floors and historic ambience. Sadly they told me Victor pretty much considers entry level torch sets disposable to compete. You can still buy the large HD Victor or Smith regulators for $400-500 each. But they have stopped rebuilding regulators and torches for liability reasons. Lifetime warranty but have to ship on your time and dime. They know how to do it but will not makes you think. I see lots of rebuild kits on Amazon. Buyer beware.