Help! PP256 A/C dropping out after 1-2 seconds of arc start

[lcvette]

hey guys

I have owned my pp256 for 2 years now and have had small issues but this is a big issue as I'm in the middle of a job and trying to meet a deadline and the aluminum welding I need to get done is now halted....

welds fine in dc, in ac mode, it hf starts, creates an arc and then drops out back to the weak hf arc. I've tried the pedal and the torch switch same result.

I had to adjust the points when I first received the machine but cannot remember where they are too try that. but this is a different symptom than when I was directed to adjust the points.

Has anyone had an issue like this and how did you correct it? I need to get work done today and am about to go buy another welder if I can't get this fixed and would really prefer not to have to spend the money if it's something simple.

thanks!

Chris

[performance]

That's part of the reason I caution people that these multi tig/stick/plasma units are not for production work.

With that said, have you tried to PM ray or contact tech support? tech@everlastwelders.com

It could be a simple issue like a loose wire. I'd check to make sure all wires are in place first.

[lcvette]

I have not contacted tech support yet, I assumed they were closed on Sunday. I am happy to pull the covers and check for loose wires I just don't know which ones to be checking. I was hoping someone else has had this issue and might direct me too what I should be looking at.

I don't have rays email but would be glad to send him one.

thanks guys!

Chris

[performance]

The above email is ray's email. He's been known to answer questions on sunday afternoon.

[lcvette]

The above email is ray's email. He's been known to answer questions on sunday afternoon.

Awesome, Thanks a bunch I will send him an email now!!

Chris

[lcvette]

That's part of the reason I caution people that these multi tig/stick/plasma units are not for production work.

With that said, have you tried to PM ray or contact tech support? tech@everlastwelders.com

It could be a simple issue like a loose wire. I'd check to make sure all wires are in place first.

Mark,

I had not been cautioned of that, I rarely use the plasma function and actually have since purchased a separate plasma unit, are the dedicated AC/DC Tig machines more robust and dependable in a production environment? if so do you take trade ins?

Chris

[Rambozo]

PP256 Duty cycle of 35% @ 250A
PT250EX Duty cycle of 60% @ 250A

That spec says a lot about the kind of usage they were designed for.

[Blaster]

I wonder why that is though, are the actual parts more robust in the EX? OR is it a matter of better cooling (because of space restraints) in the more "packed" 256?

I've been doing a lot of 1/4" 6061, Full Power, welds in my 256 lately. I have been Extremely conscious of the duty cycle and will do all sorts of things to spend more time between welds.

I use just one clamp (even though I have Many) so I take the time to move it, and wirebrush each joint as I go, anything to cause some delay

I've been wondering, if I make a 12sec weld and wait say 15secs, but only do this 6 times in a row. Am I exceeding the 35%? I mean I know it's not off 65% of the time but to do another 6 welds means repositioning stuff that takes a full min or two before I start again. How long of an "ON" time is it based on? There has to be some residual, certainly you can weld 20secs and put more heat into the machine than 20 2-second welds with even a second between...

[Rambozo]

I would imagine it's a little of both. There are extra parts stuffed into basically the same size case, so cooling is a challenge. But also it is the basic design. They try to meet all the design goals for each market. Size, duty cycle, price, etc.

Duty cycle is typically measured over a 10 minute period. So for every 3.5 minutes of welding you need 6.5 minutes of cooling off. Also this means the fan needs to be running, so don't just turn off the welder between beads. Heat is the enemy of electronics, so take it easy and your machine will last a lot longer.