ArcoTech TX 1602 TIG by Cemont

[tiggly]

Anyone got any schematics for a Cemont, ArcoTech TX 1602 TIG welder ?
Can't get this thing to strike an arc ? I can hear solenoid click on/off for gas flow, can hear another clicking sound, but no HF.................?
Or anyone got any ideas on how/where I could start to trouble shot this thing ?
bought the thing used as well as Cemont 241M Compact MIG welder, owner said both worked, I believe him as the MIG seems to work OK........?

Appreciate any help. I can take some photos of this thing if that helps anyone

tiggly

 

[shenion]

Post some photos, it may be a rebranded unit.

Is there a HF switch; usually marked Off/Start/Continuous? Otherwiae may be scratch start.

 

[tiggly]

Cemont TX 1602

I think it is auto start as there is what I assume you would call HF switch on the torch.
See some pics I have attached.
I suspect it is a rebranded unit...........
I am an electronics technician by trade and I am pretty comfortable dealing with electronics. I have made full inspection of the unit, all PCB's etc and cannot see any thing evidently wrong with the unit.
A few pics of opened unit as well as I have it opened up for inspection.
Any help you could provide with the control knobs would be well appreciated as well. I do not fully understand all the symbols exactly.......

 

[shenion]

Hmm, looks like DIYwelding.co.uk sells the same model with the added options for pre/post flow as a Cemont brand. You might PM diywelding, he is a user here.

Looks like scratch start as I see no HF options. The top left dial looks like 1T/2T and arc welding. 1T/2T is how trigger works, hold down or press once to start, again to stop.

 

[tiggly]

Great, Thx, looks like the same thing to me. I know this unit was originally purchased in the UK........ Anyway, so scratch start ok, so what does that mean exactly.
If I want to strike an arc, shouldn't I just be able to press button and "scratch the tip of eletrode/torch to work surface and get some sort of reaction............? I can get anything going............

 

[shenion]

Yes, scratch start, press button, scratch tip to start arc.

The pic shows the switch in the 2T mode. Have you tried it in the 1T mode? (will have to hold switch down in that case.)

You could try it in arc mode just to see if it is providing an arc. That should force the output on (but will probably not turn on gas.)

 

[tiggly]

I have tried every possible swith setting.........to no avail.........?? might be broke, but I just have this feeling it is something tivial............?

 

[weldequip]

Cemont are the manufacturers in Italy (Draper re-badge them in the UK) so try a Google search for their website & you may be able to download a manual. That model has HF start & is set to 4T, flick the switch (top left corner) to 2T & it will give you the conventional start method... push the torch button to start, release to stop.
If you cannot obtain an arc first test the microswitch on the TIG torch, it could just be that. Also try MMA (stick) welding with it... if the machine is still 'dead' it sounds like a more serious problem inside (circuit boards quite often do not show any visible signs of a fault).
weldequip