Another Parkside Plasma thread - sorry

[RWD3M]

I have had a good trawl through here but can't quite find the answer I'm looking for (although there are plenty implied).

Will these Parkside Plasma cutters cut through 6mm steel sheet?

I have a need to cut a rectangular hole in an equaly rectangular piece of 6mm steel plate and as far as I can tell, a plasma cutter wold be the perfect tool for the job. However, I've never needed one before and I'm unlikely to ever need one again (yes I know, famous last words!) so I'm loathe to go spending a small fortune on a decent Plasma.

I do have a good compressor and no shortage of power.

Cheers,

 

[Kram]

Yes mine with the compressor built in can do 6mm easily. I've done 10mm although that was messy, there was a lot of user error..

 

[Seadog]

Yes, I cut some 6mm angle. The only time that I've ever used it

 

[voipio]

Yes mine with the compressor built in can do 6mm easily. I've done 10mm although that was messy, there was a lot of user error..

Iron 1-10mm or steel 1-12mm are the limits quoted for the Parkside built in compressor plasma. Limits given for other materials are copper 1-4mm, stainless steel 1-8mm, and aluminium 1-8mm.

 

[RWD3M]

In an interesting turn of fate, I'm having a demonstration tomorrow afternoon!

Thanks to @Craig-S !

 

[MysterG]

Bit late to the show but I've got one of the Parkside one sans compressor. You're welcome to give it a go.

 

[RWD3M]

Bit late to the show but I've got one of the Parkside one sans compressor. You're welcome to give it a go.

Ooh, thanks Graham.

BTW, you still haven't been round for that coffee!

 

[GRW]

I'm sure it's the case that the 30A pilot arc Plasma that I have.... can be opened up and turned up to 40A like the older ones are rated at?
Think there's a twiddle potentiometer on the PCB you adjust... but which twiddle pot, where it is and how much you twiddle....

 

[Craig-S]

I'm sure it's the case that the 30A pilot arc Plasma that I have.... can be opened up and turned up to 40A like the older ones are rated at?
Think there's a twiddle potentiometer on the PCB you adjust... but which twiddle pot, where it is and how much you twiddle....

Id also like to know about the twiddle pot.....TO THE GARAGE!

 

[Craig-S]

Right, heres the guts, the only twiddle thing i could find is this one next to the amps knob, whether its the right one, how much to turn, in which direction and how to measure i have no idea.

 

[Craig-S]

well bugger me!

Gemini for the win?

Yes, you are correct. The Parkside PPS 30 (specifically the B2 and A1 models) is often physically identical to the PPS 40 model, but "software-limited" or "hardware-capped" via internal trimpots to meet the safety standards of a standard 13A UK/EU household plug.
Based on technical teardowns from the hobbyist community (notably the MIG Welding Forum), here is how to find and adjust it.

Critical Safety Warning​

Opening the unit voids your warranty and exposes you to lethal voltages. Plasma cutters use large capacitors that can hold a high-voltage charge even when the machine is unplugged.

• Wait at least 15–30 minutes after unplugging before opening.
• Input Current: Increasing the output to 40A will likely cause the machine to draw more than 13A from your wall socket. You may blow household fuses or melt a standard 13A plug. It is highly recommended to upgrade to a 16A "blue" industrial plug if you perform this mod.

---

​

 

[Craig-S]

Locating the Potentiometers​

To find the adjustment screws, you will need to remove the outer metal casing. Look for the main PCB (Printed Circuit Board) located behind the front control panel.
There are typically two small trimpots (usually blue or white plastic squares with a small screw on top) labeled on the board:

1. RP1 (Upper Limit): This is the one you are looking for. It sets the maximum current the machine can output when the front knob is turned all the way up.
2. RP2 (Lower Limit): This sets the minimum current (usually 10A). You generally do not need to touch this.

How to Adjust​

• Direction: Turning RP1 clockwise typically increases the upper current limit.
• The Method: To do this accurately, you need a DC Clamp Meter clipped around the earth/work lead while cutting a scrap piece of thick metal.
• The Goal: With the front panel knob set to "30," slowly turn RP1 until your clamp meter reads 40A.

 

[Craig-S]

What to Expect​

• Duty Cycle: Increasing the amperage will significantly decrease your Duty Cycle. The internal heatsinks and fans were rated for 30A; pushing it to 40A means the machine will hit its thermal cutout much faster.
• Internal Components: While the PPS 30 and 40 often share the same IGBTs (transistors), the PPS 30 might have slightly smaller capacitors or inductors in some regional versions. If the machine starts making a high-pitched whine or smells like hot electronics, dial it back immediately.

Summary Table

Potentiometer	Function	Recommended Action
RP1	Max Current (Upper Limit)	Turn clockwise to increase toward 40A.
RP2	Min Current (Lower Limit)	Leave as is (factory set for ~10A).

 

[BrokenBiker]

Yes, my non compressor one has done 50x6mm flat bar

 

[Craig-S]

so a little more digging (C2 model), thats indeed the correct twirly thing, need to get the DC clamp meter on it and give it a tweak to 40amps

 

[GRW]

40A has to be better for thicker stuff, right . MORE is always better!

 

[Craig-S]

40A has to be better for thicker stuff, right . MORE is always better!

id tweak it tonight but im not going out now to fire up the compressor lol

 

[Craig-S]

well then, i couldnt wait. I clamped on a DC meter, and started twiddling, it made zero difference :/. even if the reading was wrong, i would have expected some change regardless. needs more looking into i think

 

[badabec]

From 2020

I've had a dig into the beast and can confirm my original thoughts.

View attachment 212155

The pot to the right, labelled RP2, sets the lower limit and the one labelled RP2 sets the upper.

View attachment 212156

With RP2 you can easily see the track runs which connect from the "low side" of the front panel potentiometer to the ground plane.

The other pot, RP1, I had to meter since the tracks are on the top side of the board. It is indeed on the "high side" of the front panel potentiometer, so sets the upper limit.
It's a nicely constructed piece of kit with conformal coating on all boards.

Dunno if that helps, or late to the party.

 

[Craig-S]

From 2020

Dunno if that helps, or late to the party.

That doesnt look to be the same board, the ones in store now are PPS30 C2, i done a bit more looking and the one I found looks to be a 25 turn-er. i have wound it all the way in, backed out 2 turns and will check it tomorrow to see if its made any difference, I couldn't find anything else at all on the boards thats adjustable