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New Shop Questions

Hi  J.D. Schueler,
 Welcome to the neon mailing list discussion group.  Most of us have gone
through the setup of at least one shop and pipe and burner engineering is
always fun.

 >>  Can anyone tell me if this motor can be run at variable speeds with a
triac-type standard motor speed control?  It seems like this setup produces a
lot more air than would be required by one ribbon burner and one cannon fire
unit, and it's noisy.  Does some combination of pressure regulation/relief
valve and variable speed make sense here?  Any recommendations for specific
pressure control hardware? <<

 Assuming you have the constant speed / constant volume type blower e.g. Roots,
 you would do better to bleed off the excess air via pressure relief valve
like a pressure cooker has.  That is how most shops set up the blower.  There
is probably not enough "headroom" on a 1/2 horse motor to reduce the speed and
still have the torque for compression.  I purchased a motor repair shop for my
present location and "inherited" 8 Tons of motors of various types.  I tried a
number of sizes on my pumps and blowers and found that the current draw was
less for a larger horse motor even though the plate stated that it was a higher
current.  That is because it did not work as hard and sort of cruised along. 
I am sure there is a point where too large a motor would be a waste but I found
that it also made the motors run cooler.  As for noise,  you can make a
baffled box with fiberglas insulation or put in a separate room ( like I did ).
 Under the table WILL drive you crazy.  They make a commercial sound deadening
product called Sonex ( star trek looking foam panels ) which is very good but
costly.

 The pipe sizes you mentioned are adequate.  You will find that it is easier to
regulate gas than air.  Most regulators are made for large pressure
differentials and with a roots type blower,  there is not a lot of pressure
coming at the regulators.  I have 13 torches online and they are pretty well
behaved.  It is important to have good torch pressure control.  I found out
that organs use the same high volume low pressure air supply that neon torches
require and I am going to build some regulators that they use out of wood and
leather and springs.

 The proper pressure for torches for neon is 2 lb. air and 1/2 lb. of gas. 
That ratio may be slightly different for propane.  I use natural gas.  I have
to use a gas booster as my line coming in is less than a 1/4 lb. pressure.  The
booster lets me dial what I want and also is not affected by winter heat
surges or the pizza shops.

 >> certain to be appreciated by archaeologists a few thousand years from now.
<<

 Not to mention the local inspectors.  This is one area I make sure looks good
and neat.  I use ball valves for the gas shut-offs and that way I don't have
to adjust the torches once they are set.  I just turn on the gas and light it. 
The air runs all the time on all my torches.

 Good luck and if you have any more questions I am sure one of us can answer. 
You are also likely to get varying techniques as well. Pick one you like <g.>

  E-mail from: Tom Biebel, 08-Sep-1995
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