I have a BOC 130 mig welder and just started using it again after quite a few years, to restore my old Lancia. I practiced on some scrap, doing a couple of lap joints. My welder has 4 power settings 1, 2, low and max. The first run on 1, low worked reasonably well. The second run, I couldn't get it to fire up. I tried it on 2, low and it worked again, albeit with a little too much power on the 0.9mm mild steel sheet. I checked the earth connections etc., hadn't changed the gas flow (around 10 l/min). Does anyone have any ideas?
- Thread starter taffire
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MoreWellie
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Welcome to the forum
It sounds a bit like dirty relay/contactor connections. With the mains disconnected, If you can access them then squeeze them on a fine piece of cardboard and rub it backwards and forwards, it may help
If you hadn't said you checked the earth connections I would have suggested that first as I may have moved the job and forgotten to re-attach the earth myself in the past
It sounds a bit like dirty relay/contactor connections. With the mains disconnected, If you can access them then squeeze them on a fine piece of cardboard and rub it backwards and forwards, it may help
If you hadn't said you checked the earth connections I would have suggested that first as I may have moved the job and forgotten to re-attach the earth myself in the past
BrokenBiker
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might want a good blow out inside the case and check conenctions/terminals and as Wellie has said, relays are prone but also check inside to see how the connections for the torches are made, my welders use a crimped lug onto the back of the dinse sockets and ive known these lugs to corrode over time and start to give erratic and seemingly earth related faults
The BOC 130 is a rebadged Cebora Pocket Turbo. It is slightly unusual in that the contactor is in the high-current secondary circuit, with all three sets of contacts in parallel to handle the load. It is a rugged unit but it's possible that the contacts are dirty or have burned.
It is more likely that the 1/2 or MIN/MAX flip switches are sticky or have burned, or that their push-on spade tags are loose or corroded.
Unplug from the mains before checking inside!
It is more likely that the 1/2 or MIN/MAX flip switches are sticky or have burned, or that their push-on spade tags are loose or corroded.
Unplug from the mains before checking inside!
zzr1200
Working at 650 ft on open steel work.
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If the 1/2/min/max switches are those cheap rocker type jobbies, order a set from RS Components or CPC and change them, they are horrible things for burnt contacts...
PS...
This type of switch.......
PS...
This type of switch.......
A bit of switch cleaner (Super 10 or equivalent) squirted inside, then the switches exercised numerous times, will work wonders for any poor contact. It's not at all unlikely that after 'quite a few years' that the contacts have tarnished, or worse depending on storage conditions. As it used to work it won't likely be an enormous fault, just dirt and entropy. Seconding everyone else; a good clean is the first step! Check the tip is good, and the wire isn't rusty.
