Clarke 160TM - Blowing plug fuse

[BO0557]

Hey all,

ive got a clarke 160TM and since using it last im now using disposable bottles and im trying to weld mild steel but all of a suddent the wire feed stops and the fuse in the plug has blown..

Any ideas???

As i said it was working fine and has been sat for about 6 months and the machines not even 12 months old !!

 

[outofthefire]

I'm pretty sure the clarke 160TM is supposed to be connected to a 16amp supply with a blue three pin plug rather than a normal plug.

In the past I have drilled a hole in the ends of a 13 amp fuse and soldered a piece of 16 amp fuse wire in, which was a stupid, irresponsible and dangerous thing to do and shouldn't be copied by anyone, but it works.

 

[brightspark]

I'm pretty sure the clarke 160TM is supposed to be connected to a 16amp supply with a blue three pin plug rather than a normal plug.

In the past I have drilled a hole in the ends of a 13 amp fuse and soldered a piece of 16 amp fuse wire in, which was a stupid, irresponsible and dangerous thing to do and shouldn't be copied by anyone, but it works.

best solder the fuse into the holder as well makes a good conection no heating up ofthe prongs. that shouldnt be copied niether its just what i was told

 

[BO0557]

I dont think it requires a 16amp plug at all.. the thing is it was fine and i built my who exhaust yet now its blown twice when ive been trying to just tac a 3mm plate !!

 

[brightspark]

I dont think it requires a 16amp plug at all.. the thing is it was fine and i built my who exhaust yet now its blown twice when ive been trying to just tac a 3mm plate !!

the starting current even just tacking is high the fuse will last longer doing continuous welding .tacking probably doubles the current on start up
. thats why

 

[BO0557]

I understand that but like i say i was tacking 1.5 mm 3" exhaust to 10mm flanges and now im just trying to tac and to some practice my welds on 3mm flatt bar and its poping..

it just dont make sense to me

 

[rkde]

I dont think it requires a 16amp plug at all.. the thing is it was fine and i built my who exhaust yet now its blown twice when ive been trying to just tac a 3mm plate !!

Its the main thing written on the back of the machine, 16 amp.

I have another welder as it got older would do the same on spot welding, connected it to my 16amp supply and what do you know it was fine. Try a 16amp supply and see if that solves it.

 

[outofthefire]

This is copied from the manual for your welder

WELDER SPECIFICATIONS
PRIMARY or INPUT POWER DATA
Primary Volts
230V / 1PH
Primary Amps
16 Amps
Frequency
50Hz

ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS
WARNING: THIS MACHINE MUST BE EARTHED.
This welder must be connected to a 230 volt (50Hz) supply, having a rated
capacity of greater than 13 amps.
A 13 Amp (BS1363) plug is not suitable for this device.
Connect the three core mains lead to a suitably fused supply through an
isolator or heavy duty plug.

 

[malcolm]

Odd though - my 155T was fine on a 13 amp plug. Does yours work at all on the lowest setting or does it just keep blowing the fuse?

If not (and it used to work) I would suspect either a fault with the welder (rectifier maybe) or the replacement fuses (possibly Chinese using 3 amp fuse wire to save money).

Certainly wouldn't take any notice of the silly suggestions about modifying the fuse.

 

[brightspark]

Odd though - my 155T was fine on a 13 amp plug. Does yours work at all on the lowest setting or does it just keep blowing the fuse?

If not (and it used to work) I would suspect either a fault with the welder (rectifier maybe) or the replacement fuses (possibly Chinese using 3 amp fuse wire to save money).

Certainly wouldn't take any notice of the silly suggestions about modifying the fuse.

thats a strange one ive never had a faulty replacement fuse in 35years .
and the thought about chineese using 3 amp wire to save money i better wach out i use a lot of chinese mcb s even mk volex and crabtree are all made in china so thats a silly sugestion

 

[outofthefire]

Odd though - my 155T was fine on a 13 amp plug. Does yours work at all on the lowest setting or does it just keep blowing the fuse?

If not (and it used to work) I would suspect either a fault with the welder (rectifier maybe) or the replacement fuses (possibly Chinese using 3 amp fuse wire to save money).

Certainly wouldn't take any notice of the silly suggestions about modifying the fuse.

The welder is supplied without a plug and a sticker saying it should be connected to a 16amp supply its also quite plainly stated in the manual "as posted above" that it requires a 16amp supply. So if you connect it to the supply with a lower rated fuse why would you be surprised that it blows fuses and start looking for faults with the welder or blaming the chinese.

If your supply goes back to a 16amp fuse/mcb on the consumer unit, which it should, then modifying a fuse isn't a stupid idea its not right though. The main problem is the fuse would still be marked as a 13amp and if it was used in a different appliance it could be dangerous. Its almost certainly a breach of iee regulations but I would think using the welder with a 13 amp plug most likely is as well.

 

[malcolm]

I currently run a 185 amp mig (lower settings) on a 13 amp plug, and have previously run a Clarke equivalent to the welder in question on a 13 amp plug without problems. Everyone else does.

The impression I had is the opening poster was happy with the performance of his welder on a 13 amp plug until it suddenly stopped working. Assuming the laws of physics haven't suddenly started working from Clarke manuals (if they have we are surely doomed) then something must have changed.

I could be wrong of course. I'm sure BO0557 will be able to elaborate.

 

[brightspark]

I currently run a 185 amp mig (lower settings) on a 13 amp plug, and have previously run a Clarke equivalent to the welder in question on a 13 amp plug without problems. Everyone else does.

The impression I had is the opening poster was happy with the performance of his welder on a 13 amp plug until it suddenly stopped working. Assuming the laws of physics haven't suddenly started working from Clarke manuals (if they have we are surely doomed) then something must have changed.

I could be wrong of course. I'm sure BO0557 will be able to elaborate.

something might have changed the pins on the socket and plug might be worn and weak .it makes them warm up fast . it would be worthwhile changing them both at once getting good quality as well

 

[malcolm]

I've found the same - good quality plug and socket where you plug your welder in is essential (MK or similar seem OK - what do you recommend BS?). I've had very poor contacts from cheap plugs and sockets and they end up smelling like the trainset you had as a kid.

 

[brightspark]

I've found the same - good quality plug and socket where you plug your welder in is essential (MK or similar seem OK - what do you recommend BS?). I've had very poor contacts from cheap plugs and sockets and they end up smelling like the trainset you had as a kid.

as u said mk. crabtree ect bet try the plugs in sockets and make sure there a tight fit . if there sloppy dont use

 

[Jammy James]

here is a link to the products manual (If its allowed)
http://www.clarkeservice.co.uk/manuals/mig_welders/mig160tm.pdf