arc lights up intermitantly

[john135]

hi I have a tecarc compact mig 281, it is 5 years old have put about 6 or 7 15kg 1mm wire throught it. recently as I have been welding the arc has been going very bright intermitantly this lasts for about 2 seconds then goes to normal brightness for around 10 seconds then lights up again. It does this on high voltage and low voltage, wire speed is working fine, had new auto darkening helmet makes no difference. Have used same wire speed and voltage settings as used in past before this problem.

help Please.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Have you checked your return lead connection? And any connections inside torch on hot lead etc

 

[the snooper]

Does it affect the appearance & penetration of the weld when it becomes brighter

 

[Brad93]

Has it got a spot weld mode, this hasnt been turned on at 10 second intervals or something.
Knowing Tec Arc, I'd say its probably a fault with the welder.