hi guys just wondered if anyone had any answers out there the circuit breaker has gone on my tradesmig i can get this replaceed i just wondered if there was something causing this or do they tend to just go?
I assume you mean the circuit breaker on the rear panel near the mains cable inlet? You can just short the terminals together so long as you have a suitable fuse in your mains plug. Does this trip often? at what point does it trip? (when you start welding/without welding) Provide answers or more detail and I may be able to help some more.
Dave (Esab/Murex service agent & other stuff for my sins)
sorry i might be on about the wrong thing, basically its a square black box that is supposed to pull in and out as you pull the trigger on the torch, if i pull the trigger on the torch nothing happens, but if i push the circuit breaker/relay in manually (whatever its called) whilst pulling the trigger it welds perfectly, hope this explains many thanks jamie
Ahh That'll be the main contactor then. These do fail eventually, especially if the machine has been subject to a lot of short stop/start type welding. Two things happen, either the contacts burn out or the coil that pulls the contacts together fails. It is also possible that the PCB has a problem, so do this simple check: If the gas flows out when you pull the trigger and stops when you release it, then the PCB is OK. If not, it's most likely that the small relay nearest the connector block has failed.
Easy enough to source a new contactor but ensure that you get correct coil voltage (normally 240V AC but check what's written near the terminals) and do a wire for wire swap if you do it yourself.
Dave
thanks dave got it changed under warranty it was the contactor, they think it was the original one too so to be expected i suppose! thanks for your help, jamie