Couple of foot pedal Q's

[Balders]

I've just got my pedal for my tig (R-tech PDC200)

A couple of questions:
1/ When starting up (2.4 Red tips) the arc sorta scoots all around the tungsten except the tip - tried a new tungsten, same thing. When I put my foot down a bit more it's right at the tip. Is this due to low current/big tungsten?

2/ Machine's pulse feature doesn't work. Is this normal?

I did laugh when I realised I'd still got the machine set to 4 touch at the beginning

Thanks

 

[Shox Dr]

2.4 don't like low amps and will hunt, until either the amps raise or the temp

 

[hotrodder]

Pulse usually still works when set to remote and using a pedal but machines can differ on the details. Most that i've used the pedal will vary the peak amperage and control slope times but the pulse will obviously drop out/switch off if the pedal position is asking for less amps than the background amperage setting...

 

[Balders]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Shox Dr, I probably would have been better off using a 1.6, although I did get the amps up high enough to get the arc from the tip

HR, spoke to R-tech today (had another question for them) and the pulse is turned off when the pedal is in use. Might make a on/off foot switch

 

[hotrodder]

Again varies with different manufacturers but sometimes the footpedal will operate as an on/off switch if it's plugged in but local is selected instead of remote. Not too likely to be the case but worth a try if you haven't already

 

[Balders]

I did wonder about defeating the 'local' short in the foot pedal plug. Pins 6 & 7 are shorted to tell the m/c there's a pedal. I'll look into it a bit more closely.

Thanks for the tips

 

[Balders]

Well I've just been playing.
The pulse does work!

Been trying tacks, fillet and edge welds on 1mm mild. A few touchdowns and filler onto the tungsten.

Happy days