****Electric SHock*********

[mozzer]

Hi Folks I,m new to this forum and welding in general

I have a basic question but my electrical knowledge as you can tell is non existent so please go gentle

Ok I have aquired a Migatronic HFP201
now first question....

I connected it to a 5amp exstention cable then to a socket in the lounge running the cable through the lounge window to the shed......

the main fuse board for the house kept tripping why???

Also the HFP201 do I need a pedal to tig weld??? can I manage with out?? As i managed a few beads on some scrap metal but have read that i need a pedal..

also where can i get an instruction manual for this welder???

As you can tell im a complete novice......

Please help

 

[Mad Mick]

Hi Mozzer,suggest you need 13amp lead,this should oil the wheels re your welding problems,you are trying to pull too much current thro' a 5 amp jobbe,regards, Mick.

 

[mozzer]

cheers mick will try that

 

[Drains]

Mozzer. have a look at the data plate on the back of the set, it should give you an indication of the maximum current draw at full whack.

Under most circumstances, as Mick suggests, a 13A extension should get you started. 5A extensions are for light bulbs

Also, you should use a decent size wire in the extension, especially if there's any great length involved - 1.5mm2 cable would be a very dubious minimum - 2.5 an improvement.

If you want more info on the machine and how to use it, post pics of the front and back on here. Also for general tig welding instructions, there are lots of downloads on the Miller site.

 

[mozzer]

Ill get some photos up tomorrow....

so was the extention lead the cause of the mains tripping out??

thanks for all your help....

apart from the obvious AC/DC written on the welder which i cant find how can i tell if its and AC/DC Tig.....or Just a DC Tig am I right that you need AC to TIG aluminum??

 

[the snooper]

definitely to small a cable but
strange why it kept tripping did it trip when you switched it on or started welding could be a faulty lead i dont think it should have tripped although it would have heated up and possibly burst into flames not to mention it wouldnt supply enough current to the welder

 

[mozzer]

only tripped when i pluged or unpluged welder from extention cable socket was fine whilst welding (well trying to weld)........


Is a pedal definetly needed for tig welding????

 

[Drains]

Is a pedal definetly needed for tig welding????

No, not at all. Handy when doing ally, but downslope control will deal with cratering.

 

[shenion]

A pedal is not needed but it can make things easier on a bench. For off-bench, a pedal can be more of a pain than it's worth.

 

[busa]

only tripped when i pluged or unpluged welder from extention cable socket was fine whilst welding (well trying to weld)........


Is a pedal definetly needed for tig welding????

A pedal has it's uses in fine intricate work, but for day to day general work it is not necessary.

 

[mozzer]

thank god for tha i just found out that a pedal for my old HFP201 was £190

I have enrolled on a 16 week evening Tig course at my local college..... looking forward to it...... looking at the front of my welder there is no obvious switch from AC DC does this mean its DC only

 

[johnnywgk]

Hi, looks like everyone's gone to bed.

I've got less experience than you at TIG, so don't take this as fact, but if
it says AC/DC on the machine it probably will be an AC & DC tig, AFAIK to change from AC to DC you just change the cables over, ie earth lead to (+pos) and the gun to (-negative) or the other way round.

Someone will be along to confirm this, (or not) if i'm right.

Good luck anyway

You'll love it here by the way.

 

[Paul.]

to change
from AC to DC you just change the cables over, ie earth lead to (+pos) and the gun to (-negative)

Someone will be along to confirm this, (or not) if i'm right.

Good luck anyway

Nope, that will only change the polarity on a DC set,
Mozzer, a bigger picture of the front panel, and a pic of the electrical data plate if it has one, will help

 

[johnnywgk]

Cheers paul, i've got loads to learn

 

[the snooper]

only tripped when i pluged or unpluged welder from extention cable socket was fine whilst welding (well trying to weld)........

sounds like you need to check out the plug on the welder and the socket on the extention lead, could have lose wiring and could be lethal especially when using electrical gear with steel / metal casings

 

[Coo]

Also on the tripping ..... if you have appliances on that ring circuit, you may be overloading the circuit that way...

 

[mozzer]

will strip the plug down today and get some photos sorted.....

Thanks

All

 

[mozzer]

Nope, that will only change the polarity on a DC set,
Mozzer, a bigger picture of the front panel, and a pic of the electrical data plate if it has one, will help

Ok used 16amp extention lead and plugged into a 30a circuit from utility room no tripping of electrics today...

heres some photos of front as requested and rear panel quality not best taken with my I phone.....

In fact now ive posted them there useless how can i make em bigger

 

[shenion]

you need to post the originals, not links to the thumbnails.

Also, don't use photobucket. It is pitifully slow. Ther is a sticky on how to attach photos.

 

[mozzer]

ok here gos...........