Innert gas: a journey of problems I'm trying to solve

[Alreadylate]

Before anything else, I want to make it clear that this post is not meant to discourage anyone, but rather to help each other with the information we have available. A year ago, when I decided to CTB, I knew the method I had chosen was complex, but I believed that following the instructions in PPH would be enough. Unfortunately, it is not.

1. First of all, I bought argon, since the book says it is valid, and it also had the advantage that argon regulators are the only ones that show the flow rate in liters per minute, which is essential. Unfortunately, argon is too heavy and does not inflate the bag properly, so I had to discard it.
2. I bought a helium tank compatible with my argon regulator, only to later discover that helium is too light for argon regulators, causing the regulator to behave erratically and never display a stable number. I do not recommend using helium with an argon regulator because you simply will not be able to measure the flow rate in liters per minute.
3. I bought nitrogen, along with an adapter to connect the tank to the argon regulator. The problem I had here was that the gas was leaking... Nobody tells you this, but it is necessary to use a Teflon gasket between the tank and the nitrogen adapter to stop the gas from leaking, since metal-to-metal contact is not compatible in this case.

Current situation — right now I am waiting to receive the Teflon gasket to see if I can stop the gas leak... I will keep you updated on any future problems I encounter.

PS: I'm spanish, some of my problems will make more sense to european people. Americans don't need an adapter to connect an argon regulator.

 

[thehorizons]

Before anything else, I want to make it clear that this post is not meant to discourage anyone, but rather to help each other with the information we have available. A year ago, when I decided to CTB, I knew the method I had chosen was complex, but I believed that following the instructions in PPH would be enough. Unfortunately, it is not.

1. First of all, I bought argon, since the book says it is valid, and it also had the advantage that argon regulators are the only ones that show the flow rate in liters per minute, which is essential. Unfortunately, argon is too heavy and does not inflate the bag properly, so I had to discard it.
2. I bought a helium tank compatible with my argon regulator, only to later discover that helium is too light for argon regulators, causing the regulator to behave erratically and never display a stable number. I do not recommend using helium with an argon regulator because you simply will not be able to measure the flow rate in liters per minute.
3. I bought nitrogen, along with an adapter to connect the tank to the argon regulator. The problem I had here was that the gas was leaking... Nobody tells you this, but it is necessary to use a Teflon gasket between the tank and the nitrogen adapter to stop the gas from leaking, since metal-to-metal contact is not compatible in this case.

Current situation — right now I am waiting to receive the Teflon gasket to see if I can stop the gas leak... I will keep you updated on any future problems I encounter.

Does your Nitrogen tank have a CGA580 valve or do you need an adapter because your Argon regulator is suited for a different valve type? I'm ordering an Argon regulator with a flowmeter that's suited for a CGA580 valve. I'm thinking of getting a Nitrogen tank soon.

I thought you could just plug the regulator/flowmeter into the tank if it corresponds with the valve of the tank (e.g. CGA580). Then it's just a matter of using a wrench to tighten things up.

 

[devils~advocate]

Argon uses the CGA580 type of connection. This is same kind that Nitrogen uses.
There are nitrogen regulators and some are associated with making beer. They use the CGA580 connection as well.
Unlike argon regulators, most N regulators don't have flow meters, just input and output pressures.
There are though nitrogen regulators that have flow meters, but they can be expensive (+$400 usd)

I was going to say that teflon tape might be useful. But the consensus is that it can cause leaks...
CGA 580 connections use a metal-to-metal contact seal (often called a "bullet-nose").
Applying tape to the threads can actually prevent the nose from seating properly, creating a gap that causes a leak

One can use soapy water sprayed on to the connection to see exactly where a leak is occurring.

 

[Alreadylate]

Does your Nitrogen tank have a CGA580 valve or do you need an adapter because your Argon regulator is suited for a different valve type? I'm ordering an Argon regulator with a flowmeter that's suited for a CGA580 valve. I'm thinking of getting a Nitrogen tank soon.

I thought you could just plug the regulator/flowmeter into the tank if it corresponds with the valve of the tank (e.g. CGA580). Then it's just a matter of using a wrench to tighten things up.

My regulator is not compatible with the valve... When I used the helium bottle it was but not this time, that's why I need an adapter. Valve: W24,32x1/14

Argon uses the CGA580 type of connection. This is same kind that Nitrogen uses.
There are nitrogen regulators and some are associated with making beer. They use the CGA580 connection as well.
Unlike argon regulators, most N regulators don't have flow meters, just input and output pressures.
There are though nitrogen regulators that have flow meters, but they can be expensive (+$400 usd)

I was going to say that teflon tape might be useful. But the consensus is that it can cause leaks...
CGA 580 connections use a metal-to-metal contact seal (often called a "bullet-nose").
Applying tape to the threads can actually prevent the nose from seating properly, creating a gap that causes a leak

One can use soapy water sprayed on to the connection to see exactly where a leak is occurring.

Yes I tried with teflon tape in vain...
In my case the valve of my nitrogen bottle (W24,32x1/14) is not compatible with the argon regulator. Also the seller told me I need that Oring or whatever for the adapter... Because metal to metal doesn't work in this case.

 

[devils~advocate]

My regulator is not compatible with the valve... When I used the helium bottle it was but not this time, that's why I need an adapter. Valve: W24,32x1/14

Yes I tried with teflon tape in vain...
In my case the valve of my nitrogen bottle (W24,32x1/14) is not compatible with the argon regulator. Also the seller told me I need that Oring or whatever for the adapter... Because metal to metal doesn't work in this case.

I guess this is for cylinders in Europe since I think this is another name for the DIN 477 (no 10) connection.
There are adapters for these I believe.
W24.32-1/14 Female to G5/8-14 Male: Frequently used to adapt standard Nitrogen cylinders for different regulator types.