Help!!!!!

[feen]

Trying to get a job finished for Monday to go to the coaters and the bloody welder is playing up.

It's a Thermal Arc 181i and the problem is in MIG mode.

When I've started to weld, it seems as if it's far too hot, I would swear the wire is dripping off the torch!

I've then noticed when I laid the torch down, the wire is live constantly, with or without holding the triggger.

Sticking solenoid or switch??????

Is the bottom roller (fixed) live to power the wire?

Wire feed is fine as is gas supply.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

JF

 

[rikrobson]

Sounds like the contactor. Remove the torch and meter the switch to confirm. The power to the torch will be a cable to the eurotorch connector. The wire will be live back to the reel as it conducts its whole length. Therefore the rollers will be live too. With the torch off the machine if the wire is still live it will be the contactor/relay controling the power. Should run ar the setting on the selector though

 

[mike 109444]

The live torch does sound like a problem with contactor or it's driving circuit but the excess power problem may be a separate one. Try backing the wire feed off (so it don't feed) then pull trigger, metering between the tip and the earth clamp with machine on lowest setting. Set meter to DC volts, you should find about 14 to 16 Volts. then turn power up one notch at a time noting if the voltage steps up with a step up in power setting. Should go up to about 26 to 30 ish volts.

 

[shenion]

I doubt there is a solenoid as it is an inverter.

Sounds like it thinks it is in stick mode