Please help setting up old machine

[bradzweld]

I've gotten hold of an old AC/DC 240v Tig welder. Now from what I can see I'm missing something because there doesn't appear to be any way to adjust the voltage or amperage. If any one knows this machine please help.

I have the cooling system to go in the back, I have the torch and hose, as well as the ground clamp. Anything else would help.

 

[Robert Weaver]

I closeup of the middle face would be helpful. Can see dials, but can't make out the features.

 

[Barking Mat]

What is that box on the top ?

Was it designed to be used with a pedal, I think I need clearer pics please.

 

[bradzweld]

Is that better, its pre,post and hf time

 

[Barking Mat]

Well you've definitely got a plug for a pedal.

 

[Barking Mat]

Maybe a photo of the dataplate, on the back, model, volts, amps....?

 

[Barking Mat]

What plug ? 220v, did it come with torche, cable, where did you get it ?

 

[Barking Mat]

I suspect the bottom unit had different taps giving different settings on the transfo, and cables link the two machines.

I could be totally wrong.

 

[zzr1200]

I think you may have an add-on HF unit and a water cooling unit there, the give away to me is the 4 Dinze plugs/sockets on the front of the lower unit.

I've seen a couple of Max-Arc welders and they're all bigger than those units, I believe there's a couple of members here that own Max-Arc oil cooled mma units....maybe someone has some pictures?

 

[bradzweld]

Maybe a photo of the dataplate, on the back, model, volts, amps....?

There unfortunately is no data plate

 

[bradzweld]

I suspect the bottom unit had different taps giving different settings on the transfo, and cables link the two machines.

I could be totally wrong.

The bottom unit from what I can gather is a ac to dc converter, plug in the ac one side then plug the dc from the right to the top unit, but I can't see anywhere to adjust the amperage or voltage?

 

[bradzweld]

What plug ? 220v, did it come with torche, cable, where did you get it ?

It's a 220/240v it was from a workshop that was closing over a year ago, just hadn't got it out till now

 

[eddie49]

The bottom unit from what I can gather is a ac to dc converter

Yes, it is a rectifier. It changes the AC output of a simple transformer-based arc welder ( also known as a "buzz box" ) to DC for use as a TIG.
When used in this way, an arc welder is called a "power source". That is the missing component, and that is where the amperage would be adjusted.
The upper unit is a "TIG Add-on Box", and provides timing control of the arc and gas using contactors and a gas solenoid, and as zzr1200 said, it also adds HF arc start.
Do you have an arc welder?

 

[bradzweld]

Yes, it is a rectifier. It changes the AC output of a simple transformer-based arc welder ( also known as a "buzz box" ) to DC for use as a TIG.
When used in this way, an arc welder is called a "power source". That is the missing component, and that is where the amperage would be adjusted.
The upper unit is a "TIG Add-on Box", and provides timing control of the arc and gas using contactors and a gas solenoid, and as zzr1200 said, it also adds HF arc start.
Do you have an arc welder?

No I don't, unfortunately I have a mig. Could you recommend a type of arc unit that I'd need?

 

[Dragnet]

This looks similar to the BOC Transtig boxes I have. It came rather surplus on a trolley with some other parts I wanted, so I haven't got it going yet. I believe the power source for this was the oil-filled 180A Pickhill Bantam that was on the trolley, since there was a recess made for it, and a local highly-qualified welder thought that was not an unreasonable idea. You may need an AC unit like eddie49 says, in my case a run-all-day oil-filled one like mine in the picture attached (plenty available secondhand, but they weigh a ton so hope there's one nearby!) Actually, you can just see it in the trolley to the left of the BOC units, before I repaired its rusty bottom and painted it gold as in the newer picture.

 

[eddie49]

As Dragnet said, an oil-filled or an air-cooled arc welder can be used as a power source for the TIG add-on box. Both types are heavy, so I would suggest looking locally for a s/h unit, on eBay or Gumtree etc. They normally go for between ten and one hundred Pounds... A simple cheap unit will allow you to validate that the TIG setup works.
Arc welding and TIG are constant-current ( CC ) processes [ MIG is constant voltage - CV ]. In the simplest air-cooled arc welders, selection of current is by a dial that mechanically shifts the position of part of the laminated metal core of the transformer, altering the magnetic coupling between the primary and the secondary. The open-circuit voltage ( OCV ) with no load will be from 50 to 80 volts AC, and about the same DC output after passing through the rectifier. You would need to replace the electrode holder and work clamp on the welder's output leads with male 35-50 Dinse plugs. E.G. :

35/50 Dinse Cable Plug | Welding Cable Plug | Brass Welding Connector

Large dinse cable plug for 35 - 50mm welding cable. A brass male connector for most modern welding machines.

tbws.co.uk

 

[zzr1200]

No I don't, unfortunately I have a mig. Could you recommend a type of arc unit that I'd need?

Hopefully below is a picture of a Max-Arc oil cooled welder, that would possibly have been the power unit for you units.....

Fully adjustable linear amps control, but you'll need 3 phase as well for the one below, the Oxford Oil Cooled welder step type current regulation might be a problem.

If that bottom unit is a AC/DC rectifier and the top unit is a water cooler, you only have half of a DC Tig welder setup, by the time you have purchased a welding unit wired it all in, expensive.

You might as well save yourself the aggravation/money and buy a chinese inverter 240 volt 13 amp DC tig unit for a couple of hundred quid, you'll also need a gas bottle/reg.

https://www.cottandco.com/media/lot/thumbnail/1000x1500/da43865e001936f7c3d0e7f8d456e152c59df09c.jpg?v2