need info please

[Ian johnson]

Hi I have recently got myself a cytringan bantam. It was my fathers who has now passed away. The machine is old but I have no idea how old. It has developed a problem of blowing fuses.I have topped up oil level to no avail.I am a total novice with welding (and with computers) so im hoping some one can give me some helpfull advice on problem. The welder is a 180amp version running off 240volts(13amp ring). Could any damage have been caused when oil level was slightly low?any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[bawjaws]

hey, i wouldent think that slightley low oil would cause any damage and its blowing fuses because you should have about a 20 amp supply with a blue caravan type socket for 180 amps output i can only get about 100 amps out of my machine before the fuses blew, but now ive changed the socket and its fine

 

[Coo]

If it's blowing fuses, I'd check and rewire plugs/sockets etc

 

[BrenM]

After standing for many years my Cytringhan Model A was dragged out and tried recently, it blew fuses. I stripped it, dried it out (guessed possible water contamination), checked the mains connections, replaced the oil (£63) it still blew fuses.
Got £2 for the tank and laminations £33 for the windings.

 

[Ian johnson]

Thanks for putting my mind at rest I will nock some kind of lead up to run it off cooker or shower circuit. Can you tell me what type of oil goes in to welder and if its somthing special; where i would buy some. Also is it woth emptying old oil and replacing it all with new clean oil.thanks again for your advice (like i have said before im a complete novice with both welding and using a computer.I must admit I think its great to be able to just ask advice on anything and get help for free)

 

[Ian johnson]

thanks for your advice i will try what you have suggested

 

[Ian johnson]

I hope it doesn,t come to weighing mine in but I will bear in mind the scrap value along side of the cost of new oil.Thanks for reply, sorry to here your machine bit the dust

 

[Paul.]

Hi
We used to use Shell Diala transformer oil in the Oxfords etc. From memory its pretty expensive, although I haven't bought any for years. Smells pretty awful too, there may be a modern synthetic version available nowadays.

 

[JML]

WATCH YOURSELF WITH THE OLD OIL IAN !!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/msa19.htm

Not good

 

[jugs]

Thanks for putting my mind at rest I will nock some kind of lead up to run it off cooker or shower circuit. Can you tell me what type of oil goes in to welder and if its somthing special; where i would buy some. Also is it woth emptying old oil and replacing it all with new clean oil.thanks again for your advice (like i have said before im a complete novice with both welding and using a computer.I must admit I think its great to be able to just ask advice on anything and get help for free)

Old type transformer oil is classed as toxic waste , because it contains PCBs. If it hasn't been contaminated by water, it should be OK. Don't know about mixing new and old type oils. "where i would buy some" try yellow pages under oil suppliers.

By the way, tank should not be totally full of oil, as it heats and expands.

Does it blow the fuse when you switch on, in which case check the insulation where the terminals come through the lid, and also check the mains input cable for damage. If it welds on low settings, but blows fuses on high settings, then it's probably not the welder, but a supply problem (which you're solving already).

 

[BrenM]

Use a multimeter or "megga" to check resistance between windings and also tank or get a friendly sparky to do it.
GB Lubricants,Gateshead or Pickhill Engineers will supply 25 litres of transformer oil. Smaller amounts try Yell for Transformer Manufacturers.

 

[JML]

Bren Im afraid Pickhill Engineers are no more I understand Technical Arc (Portamig) bought their left over gear*. I think they had a good many years business from oil-cooled transformers but times change.

*That's what Technical Arc told me anyway

 

[BrenM]

Now that is a surprise. When I phoned them less than 2 months ago about oil for mine(R.I.P.) they offered to sell me the last new oil cooled Oxford in captivity for £380.
If any one wants to see the comprehensive Cytringan manual it's in the photo album (both pages)

 

[Ian johnson]

Hi
We used to use Shell Diala transformer oil in the Oxfords etc. From memory its pretty expensive, although I haven't bought any for years. Smells pretty awful too, there may be a modern synthetic version available nowadays.

Thanks for advice sorry i didn,t get message straight away but working my way round computer is taking me a while(but enjoyable)

 

[aero]

Pickhill was the last place i knew of who supplied the oil.

It is 'king expensive and never needs changing if its not full of water.

To fill a WT180 you are looking at about £100 delivered (2 years ago now)

It is the same stuff as used in the national grid transformers and a specialist oil supplier will be able to get it.

 

[madkayaker]

Most transformer oil hydorocarbinises over time and current. I've herds of a couple of transformers going pop.

 

[sid javes]

would you be able to fax the pages on the cytringan bantam to me please 01903763866
many thanks sid

 

[BrenM]

PM sent

 

[scarecrow]

hi is your welder blowing the plug fuse or the main fuse and is it blowing them when you turn it on or when you start welding you should probably the able to weld with a 2.5 rod without blowing the plug fuses