PowerTig200DX amps indicator with pedal mystery

[Jake98]

Hooked up my new machine this afternoon, and having never touched a Tig torch before, I'm a happy guy! That seems like a most civilized way to weld!
Anybody know how the amps display is supposed to operate while the pedal is in control? I can't make sense of it. It reads normally with torch control, but with the pedal it varies from about 40 to 20, and not at all linear. I can see by the arc that the pedal's working, but the indicator seems screwy.

[sportbike]

Not sure what to tell you on that one. My 200 dX seems to display proportional amps. I am not so sure that the amps displayed are very accurate, but they are at least proportional.

[performance]

Jake, I THINK I mentioned this to you, but not sure....The pedal when you plug it in will give at first what seems to be a nonsense number. This is more akin to an ohm reading (though it is not) and will give actual output when you step on the pedal in an actual weld. The relative knob position is more of an indicator of actual maximum amp output. (0-100%).

[Jake98]

You did mention something about that, Mark, now I get it. I think I'm experiencing 'tig-info-overload'. Thanks for all your help.

[sportbike]

Easiest way I have used to set the current with the footpedal, is to strike an arc on a piece of scrap while watching the panel. go to "full pedal" and see where you are at that way rather than on your actual workpiece. I usually set it for ~10 amps more than I think I will "need" for the weld.

[Jake98]

I guess pros 'don't need no steekin' meter' From my first impressions, Mark's right, the pedal isn't much help anyway. Like lots of other things, they were part of the early tig process, so they are considered part of the process now.. aviation still uses am radios because Wilbur had one..

[sportbike]

I guess pros 'don't need no steekin' meter' From my first impressions, Mark's right, the pedal isn't much help anyway. Like lots of other things, they were part of the early tig process, so they are considered part of the process now.. aviation still uses am radios because Wilbur had one..

What do you mean by the pedal isn't much help? Not sure I am following you.
If depressing the pedal isn't changing the current, something is not right.

[Jake98]

Sorry to confuse.. I meant that Mark was telling me that pedals aren't always used, and IIRC, that they aren't needed, and become a crutch for someone learning to tig.

[zoama]

I've never even connected my pedal. With all the features on the welder to control the weld, I haven't found the need... I just use the torch switch.

[todmorg]

I would take a light flexible torch with a pedal over a trigger anyday, if you are out of position at all you need heat control.

The only time I use the trigger is for tacking ( this may change once my 250ext arrives ). I don't get into much flat straight stuff.