Got a prob with my SIP Autoplus180 mig. Sometimes when pressing the trigger nothing happened, sometimes it worked perfectly, today it was more not working and annoying, so I checked the contacts in the torch, cleaned them and they seemed ok, checked connections where cable etc connects to mig, all ok, then took the covers off the welder and after some searching for dodgy connections decided to try it with the covers off, I could see quite a bright flash through the transparent cover on the electro mag switch or solenoid or relay (sorry I don't know it's proper name) which feeds the wire feed motor and gas valve. When I bridged a screwdriver over the contacts the wire feed motor ran and the wire speed adjuster control worked as it should. Thing is, sometimes when I was bridging the contacts there was a little blue spark as I imagine should be, but sometimes it was quite a big flash, enough to burn the point off my screwdriver. Does anyone know why the extra current was and why only sometimes please? I have had the mig from new for over 20 years but I doubt if it's used 40kgs of wire in that time.
- Thread starter Bsmith
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BrokenBiker
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the component is a relay. As for the flash being brighter sometimes, current isn't given, it is taken. Depending on how you bridge the contacts could depends on how much current your screwdriver will draw etc
BrokenBiker
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as above. You could also listen for the relay clicking when you pull the trigger. If it doesn't always click then something is wrong, if it does then problem lies somewhere after the relay
mike 109444
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There should be a number printed/etched onto the perspex cover. That should allow you to do an ebay search for a replacement
The relay clicked as it should but big blue flash showing through the perspex cover, (burn marks on perspex cover can be seen in photo)the wire feed motor turns about quarter a revolution and stops when the torch trigger is pulled. Cleaned contacts in relay, they connect fine. Dismantled the wire feed motor and cleaned, regreased gearbox etc, it works fine powered by a car battery charger, reassembled all and it still does the same. Wire feed motor runs when relay connections are bridged with screwdriver. Looks to me like something is needing too much current for the relay to supply. Will disconnect gas valve next and try again.
Watch out you are shorting the mains with the screwdriver, if you short it out and it works it must be the relay, if you need to use it today clean the contacts but it will only work for a few days.
Forget maplin look at CPC/farnell.
might be this one
http://cpc.farnell.com/finder/65-31.../dp/SW04023?in_merch=Products From This Range
Forget maplin look at CPC/farnell.
might be this one
http://cpc.farnell.com/finder/65-31.../dp/SW04023?in_merch=Products From This Range
Thanks migmug, I tried cleaning and resetting the contacts but no luck, I imagine that the electromagnet inside is weak but could well be wrong. Yes I found the CPC one last night too, it is the one you say . Going to CPC tomorrow. Will post result.
Mattycoops43
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If the relay has been flashing it will probably have built up a layer of crud on the contacts hence inconsistent contact. Stick a relay in it and see what happens, they are only a pound or two.
