I have had my 80 cu ft gas cylinder for 1 year and it's still going.
Is the gas inside subjected to condensation?
Right now it is really about 400 PSI. When is the time to refill? As long as it can support the 12-16 CFM I should be ok? So do I wait until the gas pressure drops to 0 PSI?
No. The gas should have been dry when the tank was filled. Unless water got into your tank, it is still dry in there.
Do not wait until the gas pressure drops to zero--your supplier won't appreciate that. If your tank is run totally empty, then the lack of positive pressure can let atmospheric gases in when the valve is open. The tank then must be purged before filling. If you run it down to 25-50psi, the tank is "empty" for welding purposes, but you avoid letting nitrogen/etc in.
Some one else (or your supplier) can tell you how much pressure to leave in the tank. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't get too low.
Jeff Dantzler Seattle, WA
The gas in your shielding gas cylinder should have very little if any moisture. Water is bad for welds. Sheilding gas doesn't go bad in storage.
You can use gas from cylinder until regulator is unable to supply required flow. Best if you leave some pressure in cylinder to keep water and air out.
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