I'm working on hooking up a "weed burner" torch. It came with a good
regulator but I want to keep that one for a propane forge, so I'm trying
to use one of the ones I've scrounged over the years. I got one plumbed
in OK but the flame was real wimpy even when I screwed it in as far as I
could. I have another one which is also adjustable by removing a screw-off
lid and screwing in/out a flat disc which no doubt bears on a spring. I
want to try this one next. But it has 3 ports on it, all of which have
been used (they have remnants of pipe dope on all 3 1/4" NPT ports). I
figure either there are 2 inputs in parallel and one output, or two outputs
in parallel and one input. Parallel ports are useful for putting on a gage
to read pressure. I've seen pressure gages on the input side of a regulator
which are helpful to know how much propane is left in your tank, and I've
also seen them on the output side of a regulator so you can see what your
output pressure setting is.
The 3 ports are arranged like a 'T'. The 2 ports which form the crossbar
of the 'T' you can actually see through partially. So I'm sure they are
in parallel. I don't really know what happens if you hook up a regulator
backwards. I'm sure I can figure out whether the single port is input or
output by randomly picking one and seeing what happens, but I'm worried
something bad might happen.
Anyone have any bright ideas or insights?
Oh yes--another question. Can I use a pressure gage off an old air compressor
in a propane setup? Or do I need one that is specifically designed for propane?
Thanks!
Grant Erwin
- posted 18 years ago