New member needs advice...

[Sunbmw]

Hello guys, new on here and need some advice.

I have a SIP Topmig turbo 170, it is about 10 years old and has done some serious work, the other day, whilst on a tight deadline (int it always the way) the welder dies. The wire speed slowed right down and no current. Previously on lower power settings it had been pulsing slightly, and the wire feed motor was noisy, so I assumed it was this, new motor ordered, not that. I have now located the problem, but I am embarresed to say I am not sure of the description of the component.

I have got a parts list from SIP but it could be one of two parts.

There are two "winding" type devices, and I am assuming that the larger one is the transformer (that is the part that is faulty....I am guessing as it is smoking worse than tyres on a bonfire) and the other (smaller winding) is the rectifier. Any advice will be gratefuly recieved, I can then order the bits.

Cheers.

 

[weldequip]

The larger 'winding' is the main transformer, the smaller 'winding' is the choke transformer & the Rectifier is an aluminium plate arrangement. If it's the main transformer that's gone I wouldn't bother replacing it & scrap the machine. That is the heart of the machine & if it's that smoking it's done some serious work, and only a matter of time before all the other major components fail.
weldequip

 

[Sunbmw]

Thanks for that, I will just out of interest price one up.....but was thinking that it might not be a viable repair.

 

[weldequip]

Hmm... if it's the main transformer I'll tell you now, it won't. 10 years old, it owes you nothing, scrap it & buy a new set.
weldequip

 

[Elsworth]

New member needs advice

I too am a new boy. I bought a TopMig 170 Turbo around 6 years ago in UK and shipped it to Tanzania. It has done a fair amount of work (One and a half spools of wire) but has now stopped working. The power transformer was smoking. I took it to a transformer guy - who repairs mostly stick welders. He opened the power transformer and said he had fixed it but it still didnt work and the relay sparked brightly when the trigger was released. He said it was the relay, and I found another 12V DC relay and wired it in - but the same result. Maybe I have to accept the same advice - chuck it. Here in Tanzania it is not so easy - I cant buy another one in this town. Maybe in Dar (the capital) 700kms away, and twice the UK price. Any other ideas?

Jim Elsworth

 

[BChild]

Mike OS a user on here had an SIP which a few of use have had spares from - not saying the transformers are still avaliable but it might be worth an ask

relevant thread is here

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=18919

Not sure what the cost of postage would be to Tanzania

 

[alan1234]

Help please,ive purchased a used Migmate 150 dual purpose,ive changed a couple of bits ie liner,feeder tip.and everything appears to be good BUT?when i fitted on the wire spool to the spindle,the wire sprung off the spool, messy,there are two[screw?]holes above the spindle,is there a bracket,or other bit thats missing to hold the wire onto the spool?ive looked on this site the tutorial,and pics but none on the spindle,all to do with feeder rollers etc,is there a detailed pic i can print off?to make a part ,or has anybody an address i can purchase this missing piece from
thanx for any help .

 

[BChild]

Help please,ive purchased a used Migmate 150 dual purpose,ive changed a couple of bits ie liner,feeder tip.and everything appears to be good BUT?when i fitted on the wire spool to the spindle,the wire sprung off the spool, messy,there are two[screw?]holes above the spindle,is there a bracket,or other bit thats missing to hold the wire onto the spool?ive looked on this site the tutorial,and pics but none on the spindle,all to do with feeder rollers etc,is there a detailed pic i can print off?to make a part ,or has anybody an address i can purchase this missing piece from
thanx for any help .

Might be a good idea if you post a picture as I'm struggling to usnderstand your descriptions but I hope the following will help.......

There is a thumbscrew that goes into the shaft - behind it goes a small spring to set the tension on the reel and behind that is a washer which goes against the reel

If you are using small spools of wire (less than 1 kg) the spool should fit fine - if you are using 5 kg reels then you need a couple of adaptot collars that go inside the larger reels

Best pic I could find from my SIP thread and it ain't great but you can see correct wire feed direction and thumbscrew



Making sure the spool goes the right way is important as if it goes the wrong way the thumbscrew can undo and you get a right birdsnest with the wire

HTH

 

[alan1234]

migmate 150 part

Thanks for your pic an reply,what ive got missing is the metal strip approx size from photo 8/10mm widthx approx 75mm connected across the feeder wheels,this must be why the wire jumps off the wheel after about 5 seconds of testing?has any member a spare /or an address where i can obtain parts for this migmate 150 ?thanx

 

[Wozzaaah]

That strip isn't standard fitment, SIP owners buy or make them and fit them to the rollers to keep them aligned.
Anything will do as long as it fits between the two rollers and stops the mechanism flexing.