Help please

[Nosforatu]

Hi this is my first post on here so Hi everyone and sorry if this is in the wrong section.
My problem is , I was given a britweld br140s welder Ive now used it for the first time briliant for about 20 mins then lots of smoke let it cool down a bit as it hadn't been used for several years just thought it was burnning of dust. Gave it another go ok for 5 mins then more smoke and nothing.
I had a look inside and one of the resistor/capasitors has melted the wire on one end bu i can't see where it goes to or what caused the problem. So I would be greatfull for some advise is it worth getting fixed or can this be fixed diy.
Have attached a couple of pics the blue cylinder in the middle of the pic with the red wire is the offending item.

Many thanks G

 

[Nosforatu]

sorry not the one in the middle the taller one with the arrow on.

 

[R Kraft]

The capacitor (big blue thing)may have gotten too much age on it.
Just try replacing it with a new one, it may not have damaged anything else.
It will have its' size marked in uf or mfd and voltage.
Let us know how it goes .
Robert

 

[SirDick Diodenob esquire]

I cant see where its meant to go either but the board is about as simple as they come so you should have no problem fixing it for next to nothing , have a look on the other side at the etched copper circuit to see if there are solder blobs and a hole through the board which go nowhere . I would take the board with you to Maplins , they will certainly identify the capacitor and if your lucky one of the staff will have a bit of electronics background . Electrolytic capacitors deteriorate with age and useage although I have some which are at least 80 years old and still going strong .

 

[Nosforatu]

Thanks for the advise will take board out and go to maplins.
I'll let you know how i get on.
Gavin

 

[shenion]

hard to see in the picture, maybe one viewing straight down would show more.

 

[Novagsi0]

Hi, I saw the post above and had a couple of questions.
Did you solve the issue with your welder ? and find out the trouble.

I have the exact same welder, also was a gift from a factory. I have been using mine for small jobs for a number of years but it does have an issue.

It welds perfect for a short run then it just cuts out (stops welding completely) And you have to re trigger the torch to start again, very annoying if you are doing a longer run. basically you have to do it quick. Any ideas before I start to have a closer look, does anyone have a circuit diagram for these welders the only thing I can see that looks a bit suspicious on first investigation, is a pot on mine looks half missing top left corner of the 2nd photo. I know the wire speed works so I'm guessing that's related to the gas delay? Any ideas. Basically as an electrical engineer / Industrial machine's (Software Engineer) I feel with a wiring diagram I could get it finally working properly, it seam's fairly simple compared to what I'm use to working on. Nice old school components and Ive got lots of spares in my workshop apart from the big diodes.

Any help greatly received.
Thanks in advance Stephen.

 

[seriesonewelder]

It welds perfect for a short run then it just cuts out (stops welding completely

Might be set for stitch welding?
Can't see from the pics the switch settings. Does it operate for the same time?

 

[Novagsi0]

Might be set for stitch welding?
Can't see from the pics the switch settings. Does it operate for the same time?

 

[Novagsi0]

Hi, thank you for the reply now it taken the board out to examine it, the timer pot is a switched pot. It this the stitch welding setting with it turned on and switched off is continuous welding. This is the front panel there are only 2 controls wire speed and a ( ...T) that I 'I've had set on 6.5 for the last few years. Only just found out it's a switched pot. The main board all looks ok I've just give it a clean and touched up a few solder connections with an iron to make sure.

 

[seriesonewelder]

If you've not changed the switch settings it would be reasonable to assume that it's not switched to stitch welding. I presume you've tried changing the settings?

 

[Novagsi0]

Hi, no I mean I think its been set to stitch setting 6.5 seconds that's about the right time for it cutting out. I thought that was a delay for the gas time on or off but stitch setting make a lot more sense. I will re install the cleaned board and try again. Thanks for your help.

 

[Novagsi0]

It weld now !! Magic wish I'd had the manual for it great when you know how. Hadn't realised the stitch welding timer button had an off click setting. zero on the control turn's that off. Will be brilliant for all my spot welds in the future. Thanks again.

 

[seriesonewelder]

It weld now !! Magic wish I'd had the manual for it great when you know how. Hadn't realised the stitch welding timer button had an off click setting. zero on the control turn's that off. Will be brilliant for all my spot welds in the future. Thanks again.

Glad to help, my previous mig had stitch settings, once I had the same as you as by accident I'd turned it to stitch so had an idea what it might be.