no arc

[splatter]

hi can anyone help me i got a clarke 130 e mk 2 the problem iam having is ican not get any arc it feeds ok ihave checked the earth seems ok ihave put a muti meter on the torch and earth and it shows 20+volts but when i press the trigger it drops to about 5 volts this seems strange to me i would of thought it would raise not go down any ideal what could be wrong

 

[Pnumac]

Hi
The arc is not forming where it should so is it arcing further back (inside torch, wire feed wheels etc?)

 

[splatter]

no its not arcing at all thanks for the reply

 

[Pnumac]

Are you getting a good earth on the job?

 

[Jake SS]

Not sure about the machine but is there voltage at the output when not triggered?

Then drops voltage when triggered
Check all connections and inspect gun at both ends, copper may have come adrift.
Look inside with machine off and unplugged check connections
For starters

 

[splatter]

hi jake i have checked inside of welder all seems ok but looked at the torch and not sure there seems to be a metal crimp of sorts it looks if it should go around the swan neck part of torch could this be the problem

 

[R Kraft]

Digital meter are very sensitive,you may be somehow getting voltage from the open trigger contacts.
Though I can't quite picture how.

If you hear the transformer running when you pull the trigger, the output diodes may have gone open.
Robert

 

[Jake SS]

hi jake i have checked inside of welder all seems ok but looked at the torch and not sure there seems to be a metal crimp of sorts it looks if it should go around the swan neck part of torch could this be the problem

If the copper braid is not securely attached to the brass block then yes that will be a problem

Cheers

 

[arcequip]

Put your multimeter on the diode function, and check each diode alternating the meter probes. If there are no readings both ways, your diodes have gone open circuit.