Can't set power...

Hi fellas,

I've read a number of forums, and I am still at the starting point.

I just acquired an Everlast Power Pro 205. I am having trouble with the main amperage control. Apparently it is always starts at around 100 amps. That's with or without the foot pedal connected. After reading some posts, I'm pretty much ignoring the readout on this machine and going by what's happening to my puddle.

The way I can tell is the electrode is getting too hot and my puddle is way to large. No matter where i set the control, I get the same result.
Tried steel, stainless, and Aluminum(on AC with ~100Hz and 70%). My shielding gas(UHP-Argon) is at 20 cfh. Used 3/32 Thoriated with sharpened electrode(professionally sharpened) and No.7 cup. I also tried 1/16 electrode...same thing!

I am wondering if the rheostat (control knob) is bad?

Has anyone had a similar issue?

I'll be calling Mike at Everlast tomorrow(if open?).

Thanks,

Love this forum...lots of helpful info!

Mario

Start, by setting your start amps and end amps to minimum. Turn off slope.

And turn your cleaning to 30% of electrode positive, not 70%. And please read the manual as it discusses these items and more. Make sure the pulse is turned off as well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by performance

Start, by setting your start amps and end amps to minimum. Turn off slope.

And turn your cleaning to 30% of electrode positive, not 70%. And please read the manual as it discusses these items and more. Make sure the pulse is turned off as well.

---

Mark,

Ok...I'll give it a go. I don't have a pulse switch. I guess just turn it down to 10%.
Why would the current be so high, in general? Even though it's turned down to ~5 amps?

Here's a pic of the front of my unit:
Attachment 11544
I'll let you know how it goes.

Any idea what year model that is? Very odd that there is no low-high-off switch for the pulse. The front panel doesn't match any of the online manuals that I can see. The '09 is the real old version, but the '12 has a few more controls, including the low-high-off. So I guess yours is in between those two? Any chance of having someone watch the display while you are welding with the foot pedal to see what is shown?

That's not a new unit for sure. That's a Oct -Dec 2009 unit I believe. You must have purchased it second hand or old stock. Turn the Pulse amps down all the way if no switch.

Mark,

Yes, it was second hand... It looks to have been manufactured in 2010. So, it could be an '09 unit.


-Mario

And like Mark said 30% on the balance, you are around 70%. Should be about the 10 o'clock area.

Mike,

Thanks for the input... Looks like that did the trick.
Got it to clean and puddle up pretty good(on Aluminum).

On the Everlast machines(particularly this one) is the Main Amperage Control ever not active? When on AC, for example?
Also, does the foot control carry variable current from 5-205 or whatever is set on the machine(on this unit)?

Regards,

Mario

This older model unit doesn't set the amps on the panel if the foot pedal is plugged in. It will if you use the torch amperage. The knob on the pedal sets max amperage.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by performance

This older model unit doesn't set the amps on the panel if the foot pedal is plugged in. It will if you use the torch amperage. The knob on the pedal sets max amperage.

---

So, to make sure I understand...

When I have the foot pedal plugged in, and the foot pedal set to 5 I will get approx. 100 amps with the "pedal to the metal"...(all the way down)?
What about the pulse current? Will it also be the same as the main amperage of 100 A(with the example above)?

Thanks,

Mario

The pulse current isn't controlled on this model. It's stays at a constant level. It's kind of funky, but in a way it offers a little better control.