controls what do they do

[dubnutter]

as it says really i have a clarke 151en and it gives in the manual rough settings for various metals/thicknesses,

BUT.

what does the setting equate to. i have "6" settings 1/a 2/3 min/max does anyone know what value 1 is or A etc.

am i guessing that all that you do if you pick switch arrangment A/2/max all that does is set an ampage.

ie.1.0-1.2mm set A 3 MIN wire speed 6
1.2-2.0mm set A 2 MAX wire speed 6

so you go upto max for thicker but 2nd setting button goes down to 2..????
clarke don't explain what the settings mean.

any ideas

 

[hairymel]

manual says the 151en is rated from30a - 150a

and implies the settings are

min (30a) setting 1 min (2/3 are ignored unless switch 1/a is set to a)
then a2min
1 max
a3min
a2max
a3max (150a)

but the info is a bit contadictory! might be 1min - 2 min- 3min - 1 max- 2max-3max

wire speed is just a guide - you are listening for a nice sizzling bacon sound

 

[Wedg1e]

The best way to find out is to hang a clamp ammeter on the return lead and lay down some welds on each setting while an assistant notes the current readings.

One slight problem: whilst you can buy a perfectly serviceable clamp meter from B&Q for £17, it'll only measure AC current and the MIG welder outputs DC! An AC/DC clamp meter will set you back rather more than £17...

 

[Wozzaaah]

Far easier to stick a voltmeter across it and measure the OCV.

 

[Wedg1e]

Far easier to stick a voltmeter across it and measure the OCV.

Yeeeeeeeees, that would work too...

I used to do on-site calibration of welding sets, not the proper way with a dummy load but by getting the welder to lay down some beads. Was always fun listening to them swearing away trying to get a 10A run with sticks....

 

[dubnutter]

manual says the 151en is rated from30a - 150a

and implies the settings are

min (30a) setting 1 min (2/3 are ignored unless switch 1/a is set to a)
then a2min
1 max
a3min
a2max
a3max (150a)

but the info is a bit contadictory! might be 1min - 2 min- 3min - 1 max- 2max-3max

wire speed is just a guide - you are listening for a nice sizzling bacon sound

so no actual equation as to a specific ampage using a specific sequence of settings a3min = ? or a2max = ?.

atach voltmeter clamp to negative positive attached to what part of gun thinking wire feed tip..? obviously set to read dc.......................

 

[Wozzaaah]

Take a look at my reply to another thread here.

 

[dubnutter]

might be confused, but will that not just give me the voltage not the ampage.

 

[hairymel]

the voltage will give you the actual switch setting sequence for low to high

the bottom voltage setting will be "30a" and the highest voltage will be "150a"

the amps drawn are only approximate as this is varied by many things including wire thickness and stickout.

you want to set your machine to what works for your technique and the workpiece, rather than by a set formula.

the figures in the manual might well give you a starting point but its usuall to adjust quite a lot either way to get a nice weld.

have a practise and see what works for you is my best advice

 

[Wozzaaah]

The switches control the voltage, not the current.
The current is controlled by wire diameter, feed speed, stickout etc.
If you want to know in what order the power switches work then follow what I say, write down the voltages and keep them somewhere handy.

 

[keith19]

Perhaps we should have a 'sticky' reference entry for this somewhere, as the problem with the 151EN goes back years. I think it affects some of the other Clarkes in the 150A range, too. For what it's worth, your settings should come out somewhere like mine, below. Quite different to the Clarke 'manual', which they've never bothered to change:

Tests on Clarke 151EN, 14/04/2012.
Voltages recorded at various power switch settings.
Tests carried out on flux core no gas polarity, with torch to Negative and earth to Positive.
Wire feed disconnected, meter leads to earth clamp Positive, to torch tip Negative.
Meter - Standard Alta1 Digital Multimeter, set at 200VDC.
Welder wire speed set at 5 on dial for all tests.
Welder Power Settings Volts DC
1 - 2 - Min 19.3
1 - 2 - Max 21
A - 2 - Min 23
A - 2 - Max 25
A - 3 - Min 28
A - 3 - Max 31.5
Results averaged over two tests. Ambient air temperature 17 Centigrade.
Results were as expected from Malcolm's amended version of the Clarke 151EN settings.

Can't remember Malcolm's exact post, but has said above, check out the voltages as above. They might be slightly different on yours if set for gas wire, but should follow the same voltage pattern. Hope this helps.

 

[dubnutter]

thanks keith

that's helpful gives me some relation to work to..