Cut 50 - How to add a pilot arc?

[TryingToWeld]

Having just repaired my Cut 50, I'm now thinking it would be nice to have a pilot arc.

It appears there are two ways to do it:-

1) The simple way, just add a wire between the torch tip and work piece clamp.

2) The more difficult way, building a small pcb as described on this very forum.

What I don't understand is the advantage of the pcb over the simple wire method. Would someone explain to a simpleton like myself which way I should go and why?

 

[BrokenBiker]

I would imagine a wire bridging the torch and ground clamp is liable to get hot?

 

[tom2207]

who ever wanted the easy way out ,,,, go for it lol

 

[TryingToWeld]

I would imagine a wire bridging the torch and ground clamp is liable to get hot?

Possibly, but once the arc is established won't the bulk of the current flow down the earth lead because it is much thicker and therefore lower in resistance? So the thinner arc lead won't carry much current and so won't get hot ( P=VI). I could even insert a power resistor in the arc lead to limit the current, it would just be a case of establishing by trial and error how high a resistance I could make it.

who ever wanted the easy way out,,,, go for it lol

I'm tempted, but I'm wondering why someone went to the trouble of designing a pcb, is it because the simple wire approach can damage the cutter?

 

[Barking Mat]

I'd go buy a Lidl plasma cutter frankly.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Possibly, but once the arc is established won't the bulk of the current flow down the earth lead

Until you put the torch down without realising its been triggered...looking the other way with ear pro on and you wont know what's going on til something goes pop...or catches fire...thats how I look at these things anyway.

 

[Erie Fred]

The pilot arc is supposed to be current limited, and then after ignition, cut off completely.

Your tip life will suffer if left connected all the time.

 

[gaz1]

i believe adrian did it on there cut 50

 

[TryingToWeld]

Thanks everyone, I've found a video on YouTube which explains the whole simple wire vs electronic solution here:-

Basic takeaway using a circuit to turn the pilot arc off is the way to go!

 

[Turbo]

On the lidl plasma it's just a matter of changing to a pilot arc torch and adding an adapter to the earth connector at the welder.

 

[TryingToWeld]

On the lidl plasma it's just a matter of changing to a pilot arc torch and adding an adapter to the earth connector at the welder.

Looking at a couple of YouTube videos, I suspect this is the 'simple wire' solution, tidied up a bit and with a new torch.