VTS 450 Leaking...

[Left C]

The Indy car driver in '75?

[Jim Miller]

Yup. I used to watch Gordie race super modifieds on the dirt tracks in Michigan. One was within earshot of my childhood home in Jackson. It was always amazing to see him lap the field once or twice in a 15 lap race!

jim

[Left C]

That's awesome! I always liked dirt track racing. Around my home town it was Stick Elliott and Ralph Earnhardt beatin' n' bangin' on each other.

[Jim Miller]

Plug these coords into goog maps: 42.293898,-84.438955

Long since abandoned but you can clearly see the track.

Jim

[Left C]

I see the track. Dang, the trees are already turning! It was almost 90° here today!!

Here's a little bit about Stick and Ralph.

EDIT: I used to see these guys race at Concord Motor Speedway. Here's a link with some old pictures of some of he guys that raced there and info about the track.

[jerrybforl]

So today I was sitting on the couch when all of the sudden my VTS 450 started to cry out CO2!!! The relief valve was just squealing. I don't know if the first stage went bad or what. I emailed the people Left C mentioned and Matt had mentioned in a PM. I also emailed Victor. I will see what it cost to rebuild this reg and will call my local shop to see if they have someone who rebuilds.

[nipat]

I've been worried about this so I still haven't bought a used DSR's.
Even the ones labeled "new" there. How can $300 equipments be sold at ~$50-100?
It's too good to be true.

[jerrybforl]

Well I emailed all the people Matt and Left C mentioned. They all replied. I called my local shop and they can do a full rebuild for $40-$50 bucks. So no so bad.

Here is the email from Victor.com:

From what you describe,the seat in the first stage has deteriorated and is allowing a higher amount of pressure than what was preset into the passage way between the two stages, thus triggering the relief valve to open....The suggested list price is $50.37 and can be ordered through your local Victor distributor. If you need further assistance, please contact us at 800-426-1888, option number 2 for Technical Support, then option number 1 for Victor Equipment.

This is the one from R and T Repair:

Thank you for contacting us regarding your Victor VTS450 regulator. We can totally rebuild, clean and test your regulator for $65.00* each, plus shipping. This price is for a total rebuild of the equipment, not just replacement of defective or worn part(s). All soft parts (seat, o-rings, seals and gaskets), gauge covers, and inlet fittings will be replaced. Every unit is completely tested to meet or exceed manufacturer’s specifications and is warranted for 180 days.

Going to take it to my local shop and see what they can do and if it's no what I think it should be I'll send it out. Overall I think it could be worse.

[Left C]

I've been worried about this so I still haven't bought a used DSR's.
Even the ones labeled "new" there. How can $300 equipments be sold at ~$50-100?
It's too good to be true.

The percentage of defective two stage regulators that people have reported purchasing on ebay verses the percentage of zero problem two stage regulators is very low. There are bound to be some bad ones out there. I don't purchase or recommend people purchasing bad looking regulators on ebay or anywhere else unless you are prepared to take the risk. I've purchased over 20 two stage regulators on ebay and I have only received one bad one. It was a new one that went bad after running for about a week somewhat like Jerry's problem. I paid $40 shipped for this new Victor VTS253A-320. Even with the added price of a repair/rebuild, it is still a decent deal. I surely didn't like it, but I took the risk. There are several people on the forums that are selling these ebay regulators built with good to great post body kits and there are some problems like leaks or needle valve problems. Only a few of the problem have actually been defective two stage regulators. The sellers on our forums are held responsible for them and they are fixed at the sellers' expense. Also, there have even been some people that have purchased new two stage regulators on ebay from 99¢ to $10 plus shipping. I am using a $900+ Victor SGT500 that I purchased from a Victor technician in Michigan for $90 shipped that included a chrome CGA-320 nut and nipple plus a 1/4" NPT to 1/8" NPT reducer on the output. These are great deals!

These two stage regulators are made for industry use, lab use, medical use and other uses. They are somewhat like heavy duty equipment for us. They aren't the tiny, dinky single stage regulators that are commonly available for our hobby.

It is a risk, but most of the time it is truly a good deal.

[jerrybforl]

So I took it to my local shop and they opened it up. The back side of the reg was leaking. I'm not sure if that's where the 1st stage is???? It cost me $48.00 to fix it which is a lot cheaper than shipping and paying for the other.

I've been going to this shop for over a year now and they are very helpful. I was there when the guy was doing the pressure check and it was working great. The owner did tell me that he charges more but since I'm a loyal customer he took care of me.

Anyhoo problem solved. I also got in an order from aquariumplants.com which I had some perma seals in it. Installed that and reconnected the reg. Works like a charm.