Airco 250 Amp A/c D/c Tig Welder Heliwelder

[shepsy]

hey everyone

i have just brought this off flea bay, i thought it was worth a punt
and to be honest im right chuffed i won it

i have a thermal arc which i have been using on tig for the first time over the last week and love it taking a bit of getting used to but cant believe how quiet it is, cant hear myself think over my 550 amp mig the fan sound like its from a jet plane

if anyone knows anything about this model i would love to hear about it
even more so if i can obtain a manual for it

don't care if it gets a slaging just want to know your thoughts

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....&pfid=0&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&fcl=3&frpp=50&fvi=1


T.I.A



sheps

 

[weldequip]

Now that's how stuff used to be made! Don't expect manuals, spare parts or many people knowing about the set, but expect that it's probably still working as good as new!
weldequip

 

[shepsy]

i wasn't to sure about the age, i guessed it would be old but it seemed smaller
than some of the big old units, so i thought it might be a little bit newer

if that makes any sense

defo no chance of a manual then, gutted



sheps

 

[shenion]

Now that's how stuff used to be made! Don't expect manuals, spare parts or many people knowing about the set....

Wanna bet

arc-products.com will provide parts list and schematic. They will even fix it if you can afford shipping and the probably bend-over rate

I just restored an older (1973 vintage) Airco Heliwelder AC/DC 300 amp.

arc-products sent me schematic/parts list for free and I got a user manual from one of this forum members.

Look inside for leaky caps before connecting it to power. Mine had two caps in the HF start that oozed black goo out long ago.

It is probably made by Miller. Mine was older, but used Miller parts. I notice it is Miller blue instead of Airco orange. Put the serial # in millerwelds . com web site on their search for manuals. It may find one. If not ask arc products.

Mine was relatively easy to fix. The caps are no longer made; miller has an equivalent though (although few know how to cross it to the new #). I replaced the oil-filled caps with modern ceramics anyway. I found a open resistor in the start circuit (used in stick welding), found a replacement on ebay under "vintage radio parts".

These machines are beasts. Very low tech with no electronics other than the rectifiers. They are well made and will last forever; just will need the HF caps replaced when they leak. These seem to be the main thing that fails over time.

Mine was missing the water cooler and TIG torch and footpedal. I went with an air-cooled torch for simplicity.

Here they go for $300 to $500 US for just the power unit. Sounds like you got a good deal. That footpedal alone is listed for $150.

If you need help on parts, let me know. My schematics may be some help, but it is a 300 amp and older.

Edit: If you want to know what year it is made, Miller has a listing that shows the year given the first letter or 2 letters in the serial number. http://www.millerwelds.com/service/serialnumberreference.html

 

[shepsy]

wow
thanks shenion, for all the advise. it might be about a week before i go and collect it. my first job will be to open it and attempt a good clean and a good look around, im not really a techy with electrics, just the basics

as soon as i have the relevant numbers i will check out what you have suggested, and will no doubt need your advise

what makes you think yours is older

i also read some were that the hf spark electrodes need a bit of attention ???
if that makes any sense

i also think its a 310 amp machine


sheps

 

[shenion]

250A is its spec for 60% duty cycle. Mine is a 300 amp, but the dial goes to 460A!! A real beast; my brother said I should give it a name. "Thor" god of thunder is appropriate as I was afraid to power it up as I would hit hit with 460A lightning bolt

It will want a 90A circuit at 240V to get the full 310 amps. I tested mine on a 20A to start; now has a 50A (mine specs 107 amps at full load). I was blowing holes in 5mm steel with the MIG feeder (came with one) and did not trip it. Test it on a small breaker to be safe. Mine only draws about 2 amps idle.

BTW, mine is now blue, did not care for the pumpkin orange and the case was all beat up.

Mine is older as it is Airco orange and over 4' tall. They later went to the Miller low and deep cases and their blue.

Mine is 700 pounds! Nearly busted a nut trying to drag the pallet to the rear of my trailer (was loaded with a forklift). Ended up using a prybar and inching it to the back. Then used my engine hoist to load into garage. Still was a bear to move. I built a dolly for it; now easy to move.

Yes, the sparc gaps will widen over time. Mine is supposed to be 0.008" and they were 0.020". Could be why the HF caps failed, the manual says larger gap is hard on the caps.

You can read about "the Beast" on my thread: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2225

 

[blackraven]

I have a 250 heliwelder by airco I wondering if i could get a copy of your manuel, miller doesn't show my SN hg083728 . i want to find a mig attachment fot it

 

[blackraven]

f0und it

here is a site where i found manuel
http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=49692

 

[shenion]

I have a manual on my web pages: http://shdesigns.org/Welding/aircomanual.pdf

Mine came with a wire feeder. It will only work in spray transfer mode with the Airco (about 200A and up) because it is a CC power source.

A MIG feeder would just need a relay output connected to the remote contactor input.