HELP -- My oxycon is a problem child!

[Flamin' Francesca]

Okay, I've had this problem before, but never so persistently. My torch set-up is in my garage where it's about 56/57 degrees, but I also have a heater that keeps the torch area a little warmer. I turn my oxycon on and let it warm up, open just the oxygen valve on the torch for a few minutes to vent any air that has built up in the line. (I bought the oxycon from Unliminted Oxygen and the guy who owns it said this would help.) Then I turn the oxygen off at the torch, light the propane and slowly add the oxygen. Everything is fine for about five minutes, then the oxygen begins to deplete and pretty soon I have a mostly propane flame. If I turn the propane off and start over, I get mostly air and not oxygen. That is, the force when I add the oxygen blows out the flame and seems to be just plain air not oxygen. I clean the filters a couple of times a month, have cleaned the torch, and there's plenty of fresh air coming from the window as well as the garage door. Can anyone tell me what the problem might be? I hope the oxycon isn't dying because it's only about a year old.

[pamdugger]

I wish I could help you, but it sounds like you might want to contact the company. Are you using the same torch you have been using? It sounds like the torch is running the oxycon out of oxygen. If the torch is demanding more oxy than the oxycon is capable of producing that is the result.

[Flamin' Francesca]

Thanks, Pam, appreciate your input. I am using the same minor I have had all along. I will call Unlimited in the morning and see if they can help. It was doing this before, and the owner suggested that I start it and let it run a little while with the oxygen valve on the torch open. That helped initially, but now I seem to be back where I started. I just hope it's something simple because this part of NC does not have any dealers that could fix it.

[pamdugger]

I know that usually you need to let the concentrators run for 5 minutes or so, with the valve open, in order for the full amount of oxygen concentration to be built up, but it certainly shouldn't be running out with a minor torch, I don't think. Hopefully they can help you. Best of luck and let me know what happens.

[Flamin' Francesca]

After chatting a bit more with Jack from Unlimited Oxygen, we've narrowed the problem down to either the filter or a leak. Fortunately, my hubby is very good with stuff like this, so we are going to start with a new filter, and if that doesn't work, he will take the whole thing apart and try to find a leak. I am trying to avoid paying $75 or more to have it shipped to Florida, so I will try these fixes first. Thanks for trying help me figure this out, Pam.

[pamdugger]

I hope it all works out for you. Are they in Florida? I thought they were in Virginia for some reason.

[Flamin' Francesca]

Just thought you might like to have the answer to the problem. It was indeed the filter. I didn't realize they need to be changed every six months, and mine has been in place for over a year. I don't remember getting any directions with it that said that, but I have ordered a filter. In the meantime, Jack told me I could use the machine by just putting the foam filter in place while I wait for the arrival of the paper filter that's enclosed in plastic. The oxycon is working great, so if you ever have this type of issue, try the filter first and save yourself a week of aggravation. Oh, and yea, I think unlimited is in FL, or at least that's where they told me I'd be shipping to if I had to ship it back.

[pamdugger]

Great news! Thanks for letting us know.