I've kinda bought another Tig.

[Shox Dr]

Is your Mls causing any function problems or is it the same as mine (working fine but evidence of a potential problem).

I'm not sure. On DC at around 60-90 amps it feels like it's raising the amps maybe 10amps for a fraction of a sec, its very intermittent.

It makes (weld pool) a funny sort of sqeak noise while doung this as well

 

[Richard.]

I'm not sure. On DC at around 60-90 amps it feels like it's raising the amps maybe 10amps for a fraction of a sec, its very intermittent

Hope you get it sorted mate. That mls2300 is world class imo. I only got shot of mine because I couldn't get on with the panel. From a welding PoV I loved it.

 

[Shox Dr]

Hope you get it sorted mate. That mls2300 is world class imo. I only got shot of mine because I couldn't get on with the panel. From a welding PoV I loved it.

It is that. Wish you could get an analog panel. Takes whey too much time faffin sometimes. So much so I dont use 95% of its functions, but then I've no need

 

[Richard.]

It is that. Wish you could get an analog panel. Takes whey too much time faffin sometimes. So much so I dont use 95% of its functions, but then I've no need

I couldn't agree more. Such a capable unit but like yourself I barely touched the surface with its functions. Reason been I had no idea how to set them up properly. Amps, balance and frequency was about all that got changed.

 

[Richard.]

Thread update and a little search for possible info.
I removed the said board and have had a wonderful member contact me about the replacement of the two culprit components but now i need a little info as I intend to do this properly as this is a unit I am happy to spend money to ensure its fit for many years service.
Can anyone who knows a little about Fronius machines say why these components would of got hot. There is obviously a reason for this and that needs addressing before I put a good board back in.
Also does anyone know exactly what these components are and there value because all ID marks have burnt off them and unreadable. I've looked over all the machine and cannot find evidence of heat any where else in there. I cannot go any further with testing anything as I'm not equipped or knowledgable enough to do so.

 

[Richard.]

@Jim Davey
Do you have a service manual for this from your old Fronius agent days?

 

[Shox Dr]

That looks suspiciously like the fault with mine, all be it looking a little different in layout/component type.

 

[HughF]

It does indeed Shox, except yours uses surface mount resistors, the fronius being an older design is mostly through hole.

 

[HughF]

@Jim Davey
Do you have a service manual for this from your old Fronius agent days?

This is what we need, or a BOM for the board (unlikely, but Lincoln gave me one for the board in my ranger)

 

[eSCHEn]

Are those current limiting resistors (the larger ones) Hugh?

 

[HughF]

Without a circuit diagram, or chasing the tracks through, I'm not sure mate... I don't think they are gate drive resistors that's for sure. This board is not the output inverter section of the machine, it is probably the input rectification and primary inverter board.

 

[WorkshopChris]

With the mix of through hole and surface mount resistors it looks like they ran out of physical space an settled on a compromise. Surface mount resistors are very poor at dispersing heat.

 

[arther dailey]

Just a thought, obviously these are getting hot, how about mounting them some wheres else in/out of the machine, hard wired so that they could be in a cooled spot, and or are gettatable , also away from the boards so no future damage to the boards/machine can be caused.Arther

 

[Jim Davey]

Sorry Rich, my service info goes back about 15 years. This machine is a bit too current for me to have anything on it. I may well be able to help though as GYS have just taken on a senior technical guy who is ex Fronius so I'll have a word and see what he says.

 

[HughF]

Sweet, that sounds like a good avenue to go down Jim.

 

[Richard.]

Thread up date. We can all relax (or I can at least) fronius engineer has been on to me today saying those two resisters just get hot and it's not uncommon for them to scorch boards with the machine working just fine. He said he's seen this a few times on fully functional machines.
I'll get the components changed any way for ones that have a bit better air flow as Jim has suggested to me but at least I'm not having to worry about a machine fault causing it. Phewwwww!!
I'll chuck that board back in it for now as I have a job to do at weekend and I'll whip it out for a rework the following week.

 

[angellonewolf]

glad to hear it but you would think if they had known this they would used a better conponents or a heatsink the disapate the heat

 

[Richard.]

glad to hear it but you would think if they had known this they would used a better conponents or a heatsink the disapate the heat

I couldn't agree more.

 

[HughF]

Wonderful design that, just wonderful

On a serious note, at least we know now what's going on. Was the engineer able to give any information about the value of these resistors?

 

[arthur]

As said I'd raise those resistors up off the board, you could add resistors that are in alloy packages and bolt them to a small heat sink, if the values are obtainable in that style package that is, there is no doubt that the design has found a limitation, I have mates who draw up circuits like that on post it notes, then days later come up with new PSU and AMP designs that were based on said notes, very talentend guys! However, circuit design is often improved to iron out such issues. Still, if they say it's normal then all good, nice looking set that!