My first steps to going gas are finally happening. I ordered the large cast burner from hamilton gas products and a 0-2bar (8Kg/h) propane regulator from ebay, which judging by the threads on JBK I'll probably want to set at a max of somewhere around 50mbar/0.7psi to achieve good power whilst avoiding overdoing/wasting gas.
But, the regulator doesn't have a gauge or markings on the wheel... I'm thinking that I could 'simply' adjust it by eye, with the burner fully open/on, until the flames are as fierce as I'd want. Can anyone see a problem with that, or should I get a pressure gauge or something instead?
Cheers
Kev
Setting variable propane regulator?
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GrowlingDogBeer
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Re: Setting variable propane regulator?
I would set it by eye.
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Aleman
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Re: Setting variable propane regulator?
Isn't that burner only rated for up to 50 milliBar . . . 0-2 bar is a bit (LOT!) of overkill and may result in the propane blowing the flame out!
Something like this Reca Propane Reg is more appropriate.
Something like this Reca Propane Reg is more appropriate.
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Kev888
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Re: Setting variable propane regulator?
Yeah, the burner is possibly even rated at only 37mbar; I can't read Italian but I think the true 50mbar burner 'could' be a slightly different version with smaller diameter nozzles, although people on JBK seem to run the hamilton ones at 50mbar anyway for decent umph.
I'm not yet sure if it was a wise decision to choose this regulator, it could have been a mistake. I was attracted to it due to the flexibility to go somewhat either side of 50mBar should I wish to use it as a control - I'm definitely not interested in using its higher range; something like a 20-70mBar would probably have been better if it existed.
I'm 'hoping' the excessive upper range won't compromise the ergonomics too much and make subtle control around 50mBar unrealistic. Though I'm pleased to see the control screw has an additional knurled nut on the thread, so if its too sensitive to use by hand, I could presumably cut my losses and either lock it off at a fixed pressure of my choosing or use some superglue to set an upper limit on the control screw's travel.
...I'd be keenly interested to hear if any of this is b@!!@cks, before I blow the garage up.
Cheers
Kev
I'm not yet sure if it was a wise decision to choose this regulator, it could have been a mistake. I was attracted to it due to the flexibility to go somewhat either side of 50mBar should I wish to use it as a control - I'm definitely not interested in using its higher range; something like a 20-70mBar would probably have been better if it existed.
I'm 'hoping' the excessive upper range won't compromise the ergonomics too much and make subtle control around 50mBar unrealistic. Though I'm pleased to see the control screw has an additional knurled nut on the thread, so if its too sensitive to use by hand, I could presumably cut my losses and either lock it off at a fixed pressure of my choosing or use some superglue to set an upper limit on the control screw's travel.
...I'd be keenly interested to hear if any of this is b@!!@cks, before I blow the garage up.
Cheers
Kev
Kev
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Kev888
- So far gone I'm on the way back again!
- Posts: 7701
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2010 6:22 pm
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Re: Setting variable propane regulator?
Well all the bits finally arrived and I've been able to test things. 
Thankfully I can report the regulator isn't noticeably compromised by the unneeded upper range, the pressure dial is a multi-turn affair and isn't over-sensitive as I'd feared - its still easy to adjust the power really quite gradually from a fierce inferno right down to where the breeze finally puffs out the flames - whew!
I think however that I will add a second nut to the dial's locking nut, and set their position on the shaft to prevent taking the pressure too high.. its easy to get confused about the direction to turn it. In fact it should also be fairly easy to use that to set the max power at a point where I'm not needlessly wasting lots of gas, but I'll need to wait until dark to see quite where that is - I'm struggling to see the extent of the flames in daylight, which isn't something I'd anticipated.
Cheers
Kev
EDIT: and I will definitely have to get a piezo-electric igniter or something, it took me several attempts to light with a match!
Thankfully I can report the regulator isn't noticeably compromised by the unneeded upper range, the pressure dial is a multi-turn affair and isn't over-sensitive as I'd feared - its still easy to adjust the power really quite gradually from a fierce inferno right down to where the breeze finally puffs out the flames - whew!
I think however that I will add a second nut to the dial's locking nut, and set their position on the shaft to prevent taking the pressure too high.. its easy to get confused about the direction to turn it. In fact it should also be fairly easy to use that to set the max power at a point where I'm not needlessly wasting lots of gas, but I'll need to wait until dark to see quite where that is - I'm struggling to see the extent of the flames in daylight, which isn't something I'd anticipated.
Cheers
Kev
EDIT: and I will definitely have to get a piezo-electric igniter or something, it took me several attempts to light with a match!
Kev