luis wrote:I have been able to clock all of my Phoenix, but it is not always easy. Sometimes it requires a heck of a lot of torque.
On one regulator that I just could not get it with any other combination, I did use a hard O-ring (I think it was Teflon). The O-ring was from McMaster-Carr. I did try the 90 durometer O-ring but was concern about the rubber relaxing over time and the first stage loosening.
I have had a standard RAM loosen up once due to the torque that can occur when pulling on the horns of the can. I just didn't torqued it tight enough... I have never allowed that again.
So the concern is that since there is no metal to metal tightening surface, the gasket can relax and the regulator can unscrew. This is not an issue with the plug, but it is a real issue when the regulator is mounted on a tank (using a yoke) and there is any twisting load applied to the horns. There is a decent moment arm if there is any load applied to the horns.
Therefore, if I was going to do it again, I would try the hard rubber O-ring like you are thinking about, but I would use a lot of Locktite (sp?) on the threads. I would not necessarily use the kind that requires heat to take it apart, but there is no reason to ever take that joint apart, so you could.
Note: the Locktite would be only on the threads, which is outside of the O-ring. You don't even need to use food grade Locktite since it doesn't even come in contact with the air supply.
Good luck
Hi All,
I've applied the Loctite and all seems well. The regulator holds pressure and the nozzle seems well fixed in the position I want it. My commitment aversion caused me to use the removable (Blue 242) product just in case I need to get back into it later-after all in 30 years from now I may have to replace that o-ring, and at 90 years old, I probably won’t have the strength of a 60 year old whippersnapper.
Captain, the only alteration I needed to make was to the IP spring adjustment screw. I took note of where it was before I backed it off to remove/install the nozzle. The screw required a bit move depth to compensate for the extra space between the pad and the diaphragm.
Thank you all for the suggestions,
Couv
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