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