How to measure voltage?

[SLOWMANDOWN]

Hi newbe here. Been reading this forum for a while, but never joined.
I have elementary question, but its got me confussed.
I have a Beta Mig 200 and am wondering how I can measure accurately the voltage per power setting. For example there is 3 settings inside the machine ( Hi, Noodle, Low), and outside a dial with 8 (going by memory) settings. What I would like to do is measure each power setting the voltage and record it on the machine. Can you enlighten me?

 

[irondarren]

problem with mig is the voltage changes when it actually arcs. So if you do a voltage test, by just earthing the test meter and reeling out wire, it wont be the same as when its actually welding. Its called open curcuit voltage or OCV. My portmaig unit has a built in volts amp meter, if you pull the trigger and let the wire feed you will get over 30volts, but once welding starts the voltage drops to its actual setting, say 21volts.
You need to test it under load. Whcih means you some how need to get a connection to earth and the torch power supply and begin welding, have someone else record the voltage for you

 

[sloderby]

What Darren says is true, when you're welding the voltage will drop.
But if all you want to do is ascertain the order of settings do determine min to max, then you can do this by measuring the open circuit voltage. In fact it's the only practical method of doing it.
To do this you need to loosen the wire feed roller (or remove the welding wire) to prevent the wire from feeding out of the torch as this is wasteful & dangerous if it touches the earth clamp.
Connect the volt meter set to read DC up to about 40V between the torch tip and earth clamp & work through each setting, pressing the trigger & noting the voltage.
The order of power settings will then be the same as the increasing order of voltage.

 

[TechnicAl]

SLOWMANDOWN
why do you need to know the actual voltages. You can tell from the arc if its set correctly.

 

[SLOWMANDOWN]

Thanks Irondarren for the reply and quick response. No problem having some else record OCV, but locating the proper connection maybe. I assume that connecting to the earth and the power supply cable at the drive assemble wont do. I will look at the manual to see if there is a specific location for the torch supply.

 

[madkayaker]

measure between the earth clamp and the torch tip? slacken off the feed wheel thing so that you don't waste wire

 

[SLOWMANDOWN]

TechnicAl since I am new to mig and have really only messed arround with mig or stick, knowing the proper settings is a bit of mystery. I have tryed as per the chart
in the machine and got a lot of poping rather than a hiss. I tryed other settings and got
better welds and sound. Somewhere I saw that for 1/8" mild steel 17 to 18 volts and
wire speed of approximately 250IPM.I can play easy enough with wire speed but would like to know the voltage is set well. I am welding 1/8. steel with argon 75 co2 25 gas and 030 wire.

 

[SLOWMANDOWN]

Thanks madkayaker, I remove the noozle and slacken the drive wheel and give it a try.

 

[madkayaker]

easier then messing around inside

 

[SLOWMANDOWN]

Thanks Solderby you explain it well, I'll give it a try.

 

[zzr1200]

I have a Beta Mig 200 and am wondering how I can measure accurately the voltage per power setting. For example there is 3 settings inside the machine ( Hi, Noodle, Low), and outside a dial with 8 (going by memory) settings. Can you enlighten me?

I didnt realise Beta imporrted chaneese machinnnes.....Wots a Noodle setting????

 

[SLOWMANDOWN]

Noodle is what I have between my ears. In looking for the "Noodle" setting the manual tells me that high is between 20-30 volts, noodle is 4-15 volts and low is 10-20 volts.
Unfortunately as this machine was baught used the hinged panel was missing and a piece of mica or plastic and seems to be incorrectly marked. The Noodle tab was marked in the middle so its high, medium, low? When I connected to the low I was on
4-15 volts, so I will reconnect this evening on medium and give it a try. As I have never posted before I am impressed with the speed of the responses I recieved and thank everyone.