Is my pressure gauge broken?

Hello! I had an Ar CO2 pressure gauge (https://www.amazon.com/Welding-Regulator-Repair-Replacement-US-017/dp/B06X3XWVYM/ref=asc_df_B06X3XWVYM/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242017931404&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3301672046864574450&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027194&hvtargid=pla-623534738859&psc=1) hooked up to a valve that I was using to control the flow of 95:5 Ar:H mixture. After some overflows (i.e., the needle went to max multiple times), I heard a popping sound and now whenever I open the tank of Ar-H, the pressure immediately goes to maximum and I cannot control the flow rate. Does that mean my pressure gauge is broken or the entire regulator is? Thanks!

PS My regulator + gauge is this one: https://www.airgas.com/product/Gas-E...0aAimCEALw_wcB

 

Yes, it is very possible you killed the gauge by feeding it high pressure gas. If you cannot control the flow or pressure from your regulator then it's possible that it is bad.

 

Ok.
Presumably you are working with a MIG welder.
If so you are not using the correct regulator.

A MIG gas regulator does not normally have any pressure adjustment and is preset at about 10 psi.
There is then a needle valve on the outlet where the hose to the welder connects.
The guage you are having problems with would be connected downstream of the needle valve estimating the flow rate to the gun.
More costly and accurate flow guages will be direct acting with a rising indicator rather than the guage.
The flow rate indicator shown could have the rising ball indicator replaced by the pressure guage you bought.



To make what you have work you would need to install a needle valve after the regulator and tee after the needle valve.
Install that style of guage you have in one branch of the tee and the connection to your gas hose to the other.
Preset the pressure to 10 psi and regulate flow to the welder with the needle valve.

Or, just buy the correct reguator and flow indicator.

 

Is there a way for me to know for sure which one it is?

 

What is the make and model of the welder ?
Was that the original regulator with the welder ?

 

I'm sorry, what do you mean make and model? This link: https://www.airgas.com/product/Gas-E...0aAimCEALw_wcB suggests that it's Radnor

CF153-320. Is that what you're looking for?

 

What does the regulator work with..... a welder..... a torch ??
We know which gauge you have.

We don't know if it's the right regulator for what you have.

 

It's an Ar-H mixture tank from Airgas. One of these: https://www.airgas.com/p/X02AR95C3000993

 

Do you have a welder ?
Is this regulator used on your welder ?

 

By welder do you mean this: https://www.harborfreight.com/welding/welders.html? If yes, then no, I don't have a welder

 

I agree.
We need to know the whole story.
I made a assumption that this regulator and flow gauge was for a mig welder.
Is this correct???
I made that assumption because l Iikely have welding on the brain right now.

Co2 can be used for soda pop, cooling lasers, for making dry ice, powering paintball, potato and pellet guns, in microbiology labs, etc.
Tell us what you are doing???

 

I'm not actually using CO2; I'm flowing an Ar-H mixture into a vacuum system that purifies argon.

 

Ahh....ok.
You should have corrected us sooner.
We are primarily a homeowner site but what you have has consumer uses.
I know of some uses for pure argon............making titanium, atomic research and growing crystals.......one of these?

So, what parameters do you need for that process?
Do you need to control the flow rate and pressure and if so what would they be?

 

That would definitely take a special regulator to run into a vacuum.

 

Apologies, I should've clarified from the start. Yes, my research is particle Physics and I'm trying to purify liquid argon (but in this specific case, I'm trying to flow a mixture of Ar-H).

I only need to control the flow rate, which needs to be at about 5 cfh.

 

Ok.
You would have to either put the parts together as I have suggested or purchase an argon regulator and flow guage in the pic I posted and change the Argon fitting to a Co2 fitting.
The guage that was damaged was designed for a maximum of about 20 psi so if you use the regulator you have do not set it above 10 psi.