1000-0285 - Victor FM373-LH Shielding Gas Flowmeter Assembly Left Inlet

Technical Overview of the Victor FM373-LH Flowmeter

The Victor FM373-LH Flowmeter Assembly (SKU: VIC1000-0285) is a precision instrument designed for the accurate monitoring and regulation of shielding gas flow rates in industrial welding applications. Engineered by Victor, a leader in gas control technology, this unit is specifically configured with a Left Side Inlet (LH), making it an essential component for specific manifold systems, pipeline drops, or regulator bodies that require lateral gas entry rather than the standard bottom or rear configurations. This specific orientation ensures seamless integration into complex gas distribution systems without the need for additional adapters or awkward piping geometry.

The assembly features a robust brass body construction, ensuring resistance to corrosion and mechanical wear typical in heavy-duty fabrication environments. The core of the measurement system is a high-impact Lexan flow tube, which offers superior clarity and shatter resistance compared to traditional glass tubes. The tube is calibrated with distinct scales for the most common welding shielding gases: Argon (Ar), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), and Helium (He). This multi-scale design allows for versatility across different welding processes, including MIG (GMAW) and TIG (GTAW), where precise gas coverage is critical to preventing porosity and ensuring weld integrity.

Functionally, the FM373-LH operates as a variable area flowmeter (rotameter), utilizing a float that rises within the tapered tube in proportion to the gas flow rate. It is designed to operate effectively within standard industrial pressure ranges (typically calibrated at 30-80 PSIG inlet pressure) and provides back-pressure compensation to maintain accuracy even when restrictions occur downstream at the torch or nozzle. The unit includes a sensitive needle valve for fine-tuning flow rates, allowing operators to dial in the exact Cubic Feet per Hour (CFH) required for their specific weld procedure specification (WPS).

Maintenance and serviceability are key aspects of the FM373 design. The outer housing protects the flow tube from external impact, while the modular design allows for the replacement of O-rings and internal components if necessary. By providing a reliable visual indication of gas flow, the FM373-LH helps facilities minimize gas waste while guaranteeing the shielding necessary for high-quality metallurgical bonding.