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Thread: intermittent arc
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18th Jul 2010, 08:27 PM #1Distracted Member
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intermittent arc
With a stick welder, what makes the arc just go out? Often - but not always - after say 20 - 30mm of bead it's just like someone hit the switch. If your arc is short it'll stick. But it's not tripping breakers - you can strike right up again. It's my Dad's old Transarc 200. Would there be a thermal overload, or could a high resistance connection have that effect? Where do I start? Thanks.
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18th Jul 2010, 09:15 PM #2
From what you describe could be indicative of an internal earthing fault inside the machine.
On the other hand .
Before you do check the obvious mechanical contact points in your earth and handpiece and cable connections.
With the welding machine turned off ,use your wire brush to buff up the terminal lugs on the cable to machine and cable to earth clamp.
It won't hurt to also disassemble your hand piece and ditto with those connections.
If the above does not change anything book your machine into your electrical repairer. If its faulty and gives you a boot it can be a humdinger so your leccy is a safegaurd as he will check and rectify a problem.
Grahame
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19th Jul 2010, 10:07 AM #32-legged animal
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Some really cheep rods do that a lot especially if they are old rods or ones that have been wet.Turning the amps up helps
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19th Jul 2010, 09:16 PM #4Distracted Member
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Interesting. My current electrodes are cheapies; the prev ones were pretty old. Will certainly clean the terminals first. Then maybe get some decent rods. Thanks guys.
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20th Jul 2010, 09:45 PM #5Senior Member
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Bryan, the old Transarc 200 is a very solid machine, but the transformer winding is aluminium, not copper. If the welding terminal screws are not tightened correctly to the winding wire, you will likely have an oxidised high resistance joint. Aluminium wiring is very critical about terminations.
If you are not confident and capable to check this out, I can only endorse Grahame's advice to have the problem professionally looked at.
Chas.
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21st Jul 2010, 07:48 PM #6If the welding terminal screws are not tightened correctly to the winding wire, you will likely have an oxidised high resistance joint. Aluminium wiring is very critical about terminations.Frisky wife, happy life. Then I woke up. Oh well it was fun while it lasted.From an early age my father taught me to wear welding gloves . "Its not to protect your hands son, its to put out the fire when u set yourself alight".
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22nd Jul 2010, 12:03 AM #7China
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As said above sounds like cheap nasty electrodes I have had the same problem, by the way not all Transarc 200's have aluminium windings some have coppper.