Does it have to have 32A supply?

[Shedendman]

I have an early R-Tech plasma cutter made in 2011,on the data plate it says 32amp as its supply.
Does it have to?
Could i not use 13A if i was only cutting 3mm,i see the newer 50A cutters only require 16A as its supply.
Whats so different inside mine thats different in the new ones they have out today?
i see a few other makes around with only a standard 13A plug on,Like what would happen if i did put a 13A plug on?
Could have done with it this morning cutting up an old truck chassis,but because there was no 32A about had to result to angle grinders t'was a right PITA

 

[HughF]

Wind it up And the fuse pops, that is all...

 

[Shedendman]

Gonna give it a try see how far it'll go

 

[Paul99]

Read page 7 of the manual here:
http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/media/attachment/file/p/l/plasma_cutter_owners_manual_p50hf.pdf

Maybe not applicable to you but R-tech state that running the P50HF off a 13amp supply would invalidate the warranty so perhaps there is potential to do more damage than just blow the fuse? - how likely that is I have no idea though - I'm sure there are experts here that will be able to throw some light on it.

 

[Shedendman]

Well it works fine up to 30amps which is fine by me as i can slice through 8mm on that,at 35amps it went ok for a bit then popped,at 40amps no luck popped as soon as i squeezed the trigger,back onto its 32amp and its running fine
Paul,the warranty ran out ages ago

 

[Paul99]

Well it works fine up to 30amps which is fine by me as i can slice through 8mm on that,at 35amps it went ok for a bit then popped,at 40amps no luck popped as soon as i squeezed the trigger,back onto its 32amp and its running fine
Paul,the warranty ran out ages ago

Hence why I said it may not apply to you - as it wouldn't necessarily for me either as mine has expired too. Part of me however thinks that blowing the fuse maybe known to r-tech as a likely cause of much further damage to the machine and them warning specifically against it probably gives them wriggle room with claims - why else mention it?. I've wondered about the theoretical possibility of using it at low power of a 13amp plug since I bought mine over 2 years ago but decided against ever trying it.

 

[Shedendman]

Yer i get where your coming from Paul,but you know what its like when needs must,gamble you have to take.
Wonder how would they know if you did use it on a lower supply than stated?