Murex tradesmig 160

[mike 109444]

Just remember with all those capacitors in there you might find it's holding a charge and giving a false reading on your meter. Could also be the power selector switch that has been fiddled with that's screwing up the correct selection of power level. Worth while waiting for coil to look over the wiring on the selector switch but for now don't fiddle with it till you have sorted the coil (no point in introducing more faults!)

 

[AshleyDC]

Thanks to everyone for the help so far. I've got the new contactor fitted this evening and it looks a bit more promising.
I'm getting the following results between the torch connector and the earth clamp:
1 - 19.2v
2 - 21v
3 - 23v
4 - 25.3v
5 - 28.2v
6 - 31.7v

Does this look about right?

I connected a 100w bulb between the earth clamp and torch connector, to discharge the capacitors, as it's missing the bleed resistor.

Is it worth introducing some sort of load between the torch connector and the earth clamp to test the machine, before I spend money on it buying a new torch?

If so, what load should I use?

I'm new to all of this, but I feel like I'm learning as I go along, with everyone's help on here.

 

[mike 109444]

Pretty much any 24V DC load would do. Remember you have a 24VDC power supply there that's capable of melting wire ! Head ache would be finding something that is 24 not 12 Volt ! I am sure I did see where some one used there welder as a car starter/booster (not to sure about the 24V though!)
Two car head lamps connected in series would give a 24 Volt load. How bright was the 100W lamp lighting ?
And Yes those voltages to look correct and look to be changing as you select each position. It may be on the machines data plate as to the voltage range. See image and the area circled on left. 12 to 20V

 

[PTvor]

It looks a bit high, but you don't even have a bleed resistor in there and so it will be the peak value of the rectified voltage and much higher than under load.

As Mike says, it changes with each position, which is good. You need a bleed resistor on the capacitor bank.

You could put together a suitable load resistor and investigate further - it depends what you have to hand by way of resistors which can cope and present a load which draws anywhere near 25A and not go up in smoke. By anywhere near, I mean about 1A @ 30V.

I'd be inclined to take a flier on buying a torch at this stage, unless I could borrow one.

This doesn't mean that you don't have other problems with the machine.

 

[AshleyDC]

Here is the data plate, I wasn't sure if the voltages were something to do with the stitch function?
The bulb didn't light, but then I didn't expect it to, as it was a 240v bulb. I just used it because I knew it would be safe.
I'll have to try and think of what I've got that can be used as a load.

 

[AshleyDC]

I don't have any resistors to hand, especially that big. I think you're right, it could be time to buy a torch, wire and gas.

 

[PTvor]

I read 13 - 22V which will be the welding voltages, that is under the designed, heavy load

Reducing the peak voltage to RMS, which is around what the designers will have been talking about and had put on the data plate and apply that to your measurements.

19/1.4 =~ 13.6

32/1.4 =~ 23

and you're on target.

 

[AshleyDC]

Thanks a lot, I'll get a torch and see if it works.

 

[AshleyDC]

My torch and helmet arrived today from Weldequip and I'm going to pick up some wire in the morning. There's a machine mart nearby, is the clarke wire okay?
I'm not sure if I'll be able to sort the gas out tomorrow, will I be able to get a reasonable idea if it's working okay without gas?

 

[PTvor]

My torch and helmet arrived today from Weldequip and I'm going to pick up some wire in the morning. There's a machine mart nearby, is the clarke wire okay?

Avoid it. There must be some welding suppliers in the West Midlands area open on Saturday morning and which don't sell rubbish.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to sort the gas out tomorrow, will I be able to get a reasonable idea if it's working okay without gas?

You could try it with gasless wire, but not Clarke/Machine Mart, or for that matter Screwfix.

I know it's hard as you're champing at the bit to try it out, but if you can manage to wait another week so that you can sort out some top brand wire and the gas, it will pay dividends.

 

[AshleyDC]

I wasn't thinking of buying flux cored wire, just normal wire. Is the normal Clark stuff rubbish?
I know it wouldn't weld properly without gas, I just wanted to put some load on it, to make sure it's not scrap.
I emailed boc earlier, to open an account for the gas, but I'm not sure if they'll process it on a Saturday.

 

[PTvor]

Cool it. A week won't make any difference.

 

[Woody.v8]

Cool it. A week won't make any difference.

He's probably the same as me when I've made my mind up, I want it NOW or even sooner.

 

[AshleyDC]

It's a long story, but basically, the person who sold it to me has sent me an abusive email saying "enjoy the welder, it's knackered" Although the language was worse!
So it feels a bit personal and I really want to get it working!

 

[Woody.v8]

It's a long story, but basically, the person who sold it to me has sent me an abusive email saying "enjoy the welder, it's knackered" Although the language was worse!
So it feels a bit personal and I really want to get it working!

Via Ebay?

 

[AshleyDC]

Via Ebay?

Yes, but the email was sent from his personal email to mine. When I collected it, I was kept waiting an hour and a half so I left negative feedback. He opened an unpaid item case against me and sent me a load of abuse!

 

[Woody.v8]

What a swine! The shines gone off that site for me now, far too many eejits

 

[PTvor]

It's a long story, but basically, the person who sold it to me has sent me an abusive email saying "enjoy the welder, it's knackered" Although the language was worse!
So it feels a bit personal and I really want to get it working!

Yes, but revenge is a dish best tasted cold.

"I knew it was a fairly simple problem, because these are not exactly complex machines - although no doubt your idea of complexity is far different to mine. "Knackered" is a relative term and clearly "knackered" to you is "utterly trivial" to me. A contactor which came my way and it welds very well. As for you, as P T Barnum is supposed to have said, "There's a sucker born every minute". Now go away and gloat about that.".

 

[AshleyDC]

I got some gas and wire today, from BOC.
I ground some of the concrete off an old spade and tested it. It seems to work fine as far as I can tell, bearing in mind I've never tried welding before.
I'd just like to say thanks for all of the help I've received from the forum.
I just need to get some scrap and learn to weld now!

 

[Woody.v8]

Well done You should write your reply to the abusive E mailer in weld and reply back to him with a pic of it