clarke 90- worth fitting a thicker earth ?

[steveo3002]

i have a clarke 90 mig - works well for what i need

the earth cable looks pretty feeble , would it be worth getting a few meters of something thicker and fitting that , or is the thin one up to the job

 

[rtbcomp]

It may be worthwhile if you're considering fitting a longer earth lead.

If the current one gets appreciably warm after a welding session then a thicker one would be an advantage.

 

[steveo3002]

havent noticed its got warm , to be honest most of my use is a fag packet size patch at the most ,it never runs for hours on end

 

[arther dailey]

three things to improve any mig,new liner for torch, decent feed cable to minimise voltage drop(and connect to a good supply !) and a decent earth cable and clamp,irrespective of size/type .

 

[atomant48]

Upgrading the earth on my Clarke 151 was a night and day difference. If the 90 is the same I'd say definitely.

 

[steveo3002]

any suggestion on a reasonble gauge wire to use , was thinking 3 mtrs , but dont want to go over the top and use something as thick as your arm

might need some help attaching it too....seem to recall its a funny crimp inside the machine

 

[Richard.]

A lump of 35mm2 is gonna be more than sufficient for that.
Most work return problems are due to the actual clamp rather than the cable been insufficient
Put a decent clamp on it.
If the machine isn't a mobile one and is grounded to the bench then you can't beat a good ol nut and bolt

 

[T0rnado69]

if your changing the earth cable, then like many have done.

might be better to put a dinze connector on the front panel

then you can either make your own lead or get them pre made.


make sure you get the correct one for the cable your using.

 

[atomant48]

if your changing the earth cable, then like many have done.

might be better to put a dinze connector on the front panel

then you can either make your own lead or get them pre made.


make sure you get the correct one for the cable your using.

Agreed. That's what I managed to do and I'm certainly no sparky. There's a how to on the forum somewhere I'm pretty sure.

 

[Cobbler]

This is how I did it on a 160rm, but the principle is the same.
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/small-160tm-mod.61208/

 

[T0rnado69]

i grabbed the correct lug for the cable diameter from TLC

and i got my friend who is a sparkie to crimp the lug on the cable inside the machine for me.

as he has the crimping tool for large cables.

 

[cliff366]

Up rated mine not sure it made much difference as only a small amp machine being 90 but the liner was the best one tbh

 

[steveo3002]

Up rated mine not sure it made much difference as only a small amp machine being 90 but the liner was the best one tbh

what liner did you fit ? might be a better idea maybe , dont want to spend 100s sprucing up a budget welder

 

[angellonewolf]

standard replacment is a curtain wire got one in mine and is great honesly in poundland i just replace 6 monthly

 

[Cobbler]

Do you just unscrew the end off the old liner?

The liner I changed had one of those connectors that you push the ring back to release the fitting, rather like you unclip an air line fitting only much much smaller obviously

 

[steveo3002]

if your changing the earth cable, then like many have done.

might be better to put a dinze connector on the front panel

then you can either make your own lead or get them pre made.


make sure you get the correct one for the cable your using.

done it today...dinze fitted straight into the case so nice hassle free job

might be me , but seems to have a nicer sizzle sound when welding

 

[T0rnado69]

yer mine was hassle free too.....

makes the welders look so much better when u can detach the earth lead


glad to hear you got it sorted

 

[cliff366]

As above curtain wire type liner

 

[Nomad]

I've been using a Pro-90 (bought new about 10 years ago), I replaced the original feeble cable & clamp with a cable and clamp from a set of (incomplete) heavy-duty car jumper cables.
The new clamp grips a lot better, new cable never gets warms.
Highly recommened for all Pro-90 owners !

cheers,
Pete

 

[Nomad]

I was doing some welding today and remembered to get a photo of my Pro-90 setup with the replacement cable & clamp.

cheers,
Pete