Migatronic 5000 Gas problem??

[dinnertimedave]

I've got an old Migatronic 5000, single phase, mine since new 26 years ago!! Perfect machine for my needs until recently. It seems to start with a small 'puff' of gas then hardly nothing, giving porous welds etc. I'm using AP Ferromax 7 through a 12 litre flow fitting. Could it be just a cleaning issue or is something broken??
Thanks in advance.

 

[pedrobedro]

Check your regulator fitting before you blame the machine, can you try it on a normal cylinder ?

 

[mike 109444]

After you check reg if it's not cured then disconnect the pipe that connects the reg to the mig and turn on reg, listen for gas flowing.If good then you need to suspect the pipe going into the welder or more likley the solenoid (gas valve). By following the pipe into the machine you should find the solenoid. Could be th power to it is inconsistant, coil weak or there is dirt in it. They can be taken apart and cleaned up be aware the will be a small spring inside usually the size of a biro spring. Just get some tissue and a light spray of WD40 and wipe out the inside of solenoid and the rubber tip on end of plunger. If it's a power issue then put a meter on the leads going to the solenoid should be marked on it as to weather it's AC or DC and the working voltage 24 or 48 or 240 TAKE CARE if it is a 240 as this could hurt!! Will only be active when you press trigger.

 

[mike 109444]

Here's one I prepared earlier Last pic bottom left corner shows rubber tip on end of plunger. There is no macro/close up on camera phone so details from this one is 48V 50/60 Hz 3.8va 24VDC 3.1W So this one cann operate on AC 48v or DC 24V. THese are used on the kit I work on.

 

[mike 109444]

And this is how it operates