Elektra Beckum Typ- CO2 120/15

[bloobloo]

I bought this lovely little machine yesterday. Does anyone have any info or knowledge of these machines?
I connected the gas up today and gave it a quick test.
On settings 1 and 2 it feels like the wire speed is too fast for the weld pool, but I can't turn it down any further.
3 isn't too bad and 4 is fine.
Having said all that, the wire that is in the machine is possibly 0.6 and a good few years old according to the chap I bought the welder from.
I would like to change the liner or possibly might change the whole torch assembly including the lead.
I noted the made in West Germany on the front of the machine, so it has to be over 33 years old at the minimum!
I will probably use it for welding on various cars and VW vans as the top of the machine is nice and strong, and perfect height for sitting on!

 

[lotus_esprit_s1]

That machine is ready set up for fitting a Euro torch socket - the three holes are ready drilled in the front to accept the socket -so I would be fitting a euro torch and a Dinse earth connector at the same time

 

[bloobloo]

That machine is ready set up for fitting a Euro torch socket - the three holes are ready drilled in the front to accept the socket -so I would be fitting a euro torch and a Dinse earth connector at the same time

Good shout - thanks.

 

[500e]

Get it working correctly first though

 

[bloobloo]

Get it working correctly first though

I'm hoping that some decent new 0.8 wire might help aswell as a good clean and lube of the spool holder so that it turns freely.

 

[bloobloo]

Well, not great news! I replaced the liner for an old steel liner that I had from another old set, not the best but better than the pvc one that was in. Wire travels freely through the liner to the torch.
Wire speed works nice and smoothly, although it is very sensitive.
When it comes to welding though, it's terrible! No penetration, really tall weld as if wire speed is too high.

Took some readings
Wire speed minimum
1.- 19.42v
2.- 20.8v
3.- 22.37v
4.- 23.77v

Wire speed maximum
1.- 20.76v
2.- 22.0v
3.- 23.2v
4.- 25.1v

Can anyone please offer some advice as to what could be wrong here?

 

[Hutcho]

Can you take a pic off the board so we can help further

 

[Hutcho]

Also if your using 0.8 on lower settings you will be struggling to burn it - 25amp starting is good but ideally for 0.6

 

[bloobloo]

Can you take a pic off the board so we can help further

Will take some pics of the inside in the morning for you :-) Thanks

Also if your using 0.8 on lower settings you will be struggling to burn it - 25amp starting is good but ideally for 0.6

Yeah, I replaced the old 0.6 as it was at least 10 years old according to the chap I bought it from. I'm also using pure Co2 gas which might also be a factor too.

 

[pedrobedro]

Elektra Beckum is now Metabo, no help really just interesting.

 

[bloobloo]

Pics as requested

 

[eddie49]

The voltages that you measured, from 19 to 25v, are OK, but the lack of penetration means there isn't enough current.
This may be due to high resistance in the low-voltage, high-current secondary circuit. This can be caused by loose, crumbling, or corroded joints, and I would start with those bolted connections at the finned plates of the bridge rectifier.

 

[500e]

Harrisons still there.
They may have circuit diagram

https://find-open.co.uk/clitheroe/harrisons-welding-engineering-supplies-1461000

Photo 4 & 8 show excessive corrosion clean rectifier plate and wire, fit new bolts and washers
Also check gun connections & return connection

 

[bloobloo]

The voltages that you measured, from 19 to 25v, are OK, but the lack of penetration means there isn't enough current.
This may be due to high resistance in the low-voltage, high-current secondary circuit. This can be caused by loose, crumbling, or corroded joints, and I would start with those bolted connections at the finned plates of the bridge rectifier.

Well, progress! I cleaned the 2 connections to the thick solid wires, the ones in the last pic. it welds much better on setting 4 with 0.8 wire in it, much flatter weld and good penetration through to the other side of the 1mm galv steel.
Settings 1 & 2 are still useless though. 3 is almost useable.
Tried it with the 0.6 wire back in and hardly any difference to be honest.
I will go and have another look to see if I can find more crusty bits!

 

[bloobloo]

Little bit more progress. Weird goings on with the wire speed. testing the weld on number 3 wire was arcing but bouncing as if speed was far too fast ( only on wire speed 3) so i turned the speed up slightly and after it stopped bouncing about it seemed to settle down and weld. so turned it up a bit more and same again. managed to get a perfectly acceptable weld, but interrupted with the wire snagging in the liner. Tried it again on 4 and it takes a little bit of faffing but can get a decent weld, perfect for car bodywork.
It's still far from being right but much better than yesterday, I'm sure it's meant to work alot better though!

 

[Hutcho]

Looking at how damp it’s got - might be worth getting some switch cleaner on it - and cleaning up all contacts

 

[bloobloo]

Looking at how damp it’s got - might be worth getting some switch cleaner on it - and cleaning up all contacts

Yeah, looks like that is gonna be the best option.

 

[500e]

Could be a burnt pot if not ww, a lot of corrosion
Have you cleaned picture 2 connection the one with the blue wire

 

[bloobloo]

Could be a burnt pot if not ww, a lot of corrosion
Have you cleaned picture 2 connection the one with the blue wire

I've cleaned all connections on the rectifier, I am thinking that I might replace the wire speed potentiometer as that looks a bit fluffy with green corrosion too. I wondered if it could be the culprit? The wire speed seems to work ok and sounds nice and smooth when the trigger is pressed (apart from the few snags in the liner)
Pic 2 on my PC is the pic of the rotary switch and what i think is the thermal cut out switch glued to the coil?

 

[stanbester]

Have good look at relay that is switching on main transformer. I was fixing one Electra Beckum recently, same symptoms as yours. Turned out there was problem with burnt contacts of main contractor. When tested, welder was giving proper voltages readings but there was not enough power to burn wire properly. Also as stated above redo all high current connections , you need to get rid of any oxide and burns.