sterling HF 300 DC add on box

[zardoz]

sterling SHF 300 DC add on box

I got this from ebay a while back. I have just got around to thinking about using it, so i will have to get some adaptors as my Lincoln Arc inverter is DIN size 25 plugs and the sterling is size 35 DIN plugs.

Anyway i have been through all that. So the thing is i realized today that i am not sure what goes where. There are two DINSE plugs at the rear which i presume are where the leads from the Arc will go in, and the plug for the TIG torch is obvious enough, but what are the other sockets on the front for ? and whats that switch named "Latch" ?

 

[bill_gj]

I'll be interested in the responses you get - I collared a Sterling 250 a while back for about £25 and haven't got around to exploring it yet.

 

[astro_al]

I'll have a go, but don't take it as gospel.

Latch switch is for the trigger mode - either regular (finger pressing switch = weld) or latching (press and release trigger on torch to start welding, press and release again to stop welding - so like a light switch, kinda).

For DCEN (direct current, electrode negative) the +ve terminal will be your earth lead (common to both types of welding, tig and arc). Obviously the top -ve socket is the arc torch socket, and if its for tig you'll use either of the two lower sockets for your torch power connection. You should be able to run it in DCEP by swapping the earth and torch leads.

The difference between the two lower sockets may be for coolant supply ( so water cooled torch goes on one, air cooled on the other so you can use either type), or could be for different types of torch connector. Its hard to see in the pic. It might even be to do with the gas supply. Are there any other inlets on the back or anywhere for gas or water? If there is gas input into the back, then it'll be your gas connection for your torch (most likely).

So, in short, *probably*:
For arc - use top and middle sockets depending on whether you want EP (unusual) or EN (normal).
For tig - use middle socket for earth lead, lower left socket for torch power lead, 'torch switch' socket for... torch switch! and lower right socket for gas connection.

Hope it helps a bit.

Al.

 

[zardoz]

thanks for the help guys. just wondering though, what are the two male - + DIN plugs on the back for ?

 

[Wozzaaah]

There are two DIN sockets at the rear which i presume are where the leads from the Arc will go in

I'd imagine you're right with that Zardoz though in your last post you say they're male plugs, not sockets or are there two pairs, one male one female?

 

[astro_al]

The title says 'top box', soooo... unless I misunderstand, that answers your question, no??? Or are there female sockets as well as male plugs on the back? Got a pic?

I hope I'm not being really thick here, but where are you thinking the power is coming from? Isn't this an add on unit? In which case the power comes from your arc transformer into the back, and then out of your torch connected to the front?

How many connections are there in total on the back?

Let me know if I misinterpreted your Q?!?

Cheers, Al. - Fire it up and lets see what it does!

 

[wyn]

The two male connections on the back are probably because your power source will have female sockets. this will then allow you to use bog standard leads.......male one end female the other... to make the connection to the unit.

Might be getting confused with the description as well..got a pic?

 

[eddie49]

The Dinse plugs ( male pins ) on the back will be for connection to your welding current power source. The wires from that power source ( "Arc Welder" ) will have to end with trailing female Dinse sockets. However, if the markings on the back of the add-on box are "Plus" and "Minus", then your "Arc Welder" will have to be a DC Welding Power Source, not an AC buzz box or an oil-cooled Oxford. You can check this by opening the add-on box to confirm that it doesn't have a big fat rectifier inside.

 

[zardoz]

Here is the back:

 

[simon718]

its definatly dc input only then mate, same as my nifty thing

 

[zardoz]

sigh! Hmm im puzzled agin, is that good bad or indifferrant ? Do you know any particular welders can be used with it? Can my little Lincoln electric Arc be used with it maybe ? (notwithstanding that the DINSE plugs are the wrong size in the first place)

Sigh! why cant i just win the bloody llottery and just be able to pay Matt to bring around a removals van full of Lorches round to my house to choose from. I have a gut feeling that might be easier. I will try and win over a Million £ this weekend. If i do i will run a lucky dip and buy 10 forum regulars a Lorch each! hows that for generosity

 

[simon718]

well its means you can't weld aluminium with it. good or bad depends on whether or not you have a dc stick welder

 

[zardoz]

not welding Ally was the only thing i was sure about. I never knew much about the ins and outs of ac or dc MMA machines. I never even knew that DC or AC was a choice ? All i knew was that they can be + or - earthed? Like i said I dont even know if my Lincoln is DC ? Yes i have the amazing ability to be totally ignorant of things that i dont need to know about. Like homer Simpson if i learn something new, then some other thing has to be forgotten.

 

[shenion]

If your Lincoln is DC the output terminals will be marked +/- or there will be a normal/reverse/AC switch.

Which welder do you have?

 

[simon718]

MMA inverters are always DC. i think goin by what JakeSS told me about my nifty, that these boxes (well mine anyway) was from long before inverters came about (mines 1989) , and you could possibly damage either of them by plugging it in to an inverter.

buzz boxes and oil cooleds are AC output, inverters, gensets, and high spec machines like the miller syncrowaves are dc, although the millers etc. had the dc option as they were primarily tig machines

 

[zardoz]

i gues my little MMA is ok then
I'll just have to get some converter leads for the dinse plugs then. ( there's always something! its never straight forward with me I'm a martyr to last minute snags and unforseen hiccups )

 

[simon718]

the little lincoln is an inverter mate

 

[shenion]

i gues my little MMA is ok then
I'll just have to get some converter leads for the dinse plugs then there's always something! its never straight forward with me I'm a martyr to last minute snags and unforseen hiccups

Should work fine.

I spent more on cables and connectors than I did on my used welders

 

[zardoz]

thanks for the help chaps.

ps
One last thing is anyone knows where i could get any sort of manual for this sterlling, then please let me know.

 

[simon718]

shenion are you saying then that i would be alright trying this on my inverter?