PP 205 won't start an arc in HF, but will when scratch?

[Buggy Chief]

Are you getting an arc between the points ? Your gap may need to be a little over .030 .... As for the amp drop, is the switch set to 2t or 4t ?

2t. I just experimented and the amp drop I think has to do with Start and End Amps. For Example if I have the machine set for 80 amps, then I moved Start and End Amps to roughly 80. I still hear the machine cycle at the end, but it stays around the 80 amps I have dialed up instead of dropping to 20 amps (which is where I had the start amps dialed in at the beginning). I will check the points to see if i get an arc between the points.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

[zoama]

2t. I just experimented and the amp drop I think has to do with Start and End Amps. For Example if I have the machine set for 80 amps, then I moved Start and End Amps to roughly 80. I still hear the machine cycle at the end, but it stays around the 80 amps I have dialed up instead of dropping to 20 amps (which is where I had the start amps dialed in at the beginning). I will check the points to see if i get an arc between the points.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

Those settings aren't used with the pedal. They're only for the torch switch.

Skip to 4:00...

[Buggy Chief]

Those settings aren't used with the pedal. They're only for the torch switch.

For some reason, the start amps and end amps are working with my pedal. When I adjust the start amps and press the pedal the readout follows. Tested by setting amps at 80 and start amps roughly 50 and when i press the pedal it reads 50. I then set start amps at roughly 90 and when i press the pedal it reads roughly 90 even though the amps are set at 80. This is odd.

OK..Here is the latest...I was able to get an HF arc. For some odd reason I have to turn the pre flow all the way to the left. If I want any pre flow at all, then the HF arc doesn't work.

I feel like I am getting close...Any suggestions here because I see the value in pre flow?

[zoama]

OK..Here is the latest...I was able to get an HF arc. For some odd reason I have to turn the pre flow all the way to the left. If I want any pre flow at all, then the HF arc doesn't work.

I feel like I am getting close...Any suggestions here because I see the value in pre flow?

Flip your 2t/4t switch up and down a couple times. My 256 acts up every now and then and that fixes it ..... Look at my previous post, I edited it with a video.

[Buggy Chief]

Flip your 2t/4t switch up and down a couple times. My 256 acts up every now and then and that fixes it ..... Look at my previous post, I edited it with a video.

Thanks for the video. I will keep working with it, I think I have it figured out. No arc with pre flow is because the tungsten is being shielded with pre flow. If I am patient, I get an arc in about 3 seconds. If I turn pre flow off, then I get an arc immediately.

It appears the machine is working and the operator is trying to figure it out. I will keep working with it.

Thanks for all of your input an help. This isn't an easy hobby, but I am committed.

[zoama]

Thanks for the video. I will keep working with it, I think I have it figured out. No arc with pre flow is because the tungsten is being shielded with pre flow. If I am patient, I get an arc in about 3 seconds. If I turn pre flow off, then I get an arc immediately.

It appears the machine is working and the operator is trying to figure it out. I will keep working with it.

Thanks for all of your input an help. This isn't an easy hobby, but I am committed.

Set your flowmeter to 7 for a good starting point.

[posixPilot]

Buggy,

I did pretty much the same thing with the plasma on my 256 ... the preflow was set way high, and I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't arc.

I haven't run the TIG function yet, since I do not have an Ar tank. I'm hoping that you ask a lot of good questions, so I don't have to .

Cheers
Mike

[Buggy Chief]

Buggy,

I did pretty much the same thing with the plasma on my 256 ... the preflow was set way high, and I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't arc.

I haven't run the TIG function yet, since I do not have an Ar tank. I'm hoping that you ask a lot of good questions, so I don't have to .

Cheers
Mike

This snafu has actually been a blessing. It has made me understand the process of Tig a lot better. I now understand pre & post flow much better. The machine performs certain ways because it is how it's designed. My proposal is to just play with it and eventually you figure out the knobs. I am starting to understand the process.

[Jake98]

No arc with pre flow is because the tungsten is being shielded with pre flow.

No arc because it's delayed for the pre-flow, as it's supposed to, no?

[Buggy Chief]

No arc because it's delayed for the pre-flow, as it's supposed to, no?

YOu are exactly correct.