PowerTIG 250EX Welder Documentation

[Fusion]

I already have the PowerTIG 250EX Operator's Manual in PDF to familiarize myself with the unit. Thanks!

If I buy one, are the circuit schematics available in PDF?

As an electronics technologist, I want to be able to repair it should it need repairing down the road.

[performance]

No, they are proprietary and not released to the general public. Plenty of threads here that discuss this, so I won't rehash what has already been discussed before. Block diagrams are typically avaialble in the box manual. But they are not schematics, just basic component diagrams and the basic wiring relations between the major components.

[Fusion]

No, they are proprietary and not released to the general public.

Strange since we got operating and service manuals with all our HP & Agilent test equipment and trust me, they are far more high tech than a welder.

[Rambozo]

Strange since we got operating and service manuals with all our HP & Agilent test equipment and trust me, they are far more high tech than a welder.

True, but also HP is well known for other kinds of obscurification. Like having chips made with only HP part numbers on them, even if they are not a custom chip, so you can't look up the datasheets. No one wants their hard work copied. From what little I have seen, at least Everlast has not gone the route of grinding off the chip numbers, so future repairs or modifications will be a lot easier.

[everlastsupport]

I'm shocked a fellow BSEE or ASET would ask for schematics on a companies products (Blue Red Green). Shows they never took a business class anyway.

Think of it at a company level, paying all the bills and people. I bet the competition would love to have a copy as well

Everlast sells welders, of course we will not give out our proprietary information... But we will send parts to someone we feel is qualified to repair a unit, otherwise, if one fails it comes in for repair.

[Fusion]

True, but also HP is well known for other kinds of obscurification. Like having chips made with only HP part numbers on them, even if they are not a custom chip, so you can't look up the datasheets.

We never had an issue; We had the cross reference sheets.

No one wants their hard work copied.

True, but lets not be naive. China is the #1 copier in the world.

From what little I have seen, at least Everlast has not gone the route of grinding off the chip numbers, so future repairs or modifications will be a lot easier.

Circuit diagrams are not absolutely necessary; they just make troubleshooting easier and faster.

On the subject of "proprietary", oh please...this is simple electronics not top secret military level design.

I was testing and evaluating battery chargers and maintainers at our DoD labs. Looking at the spec sheets of manufacturers, they are vague at best; only Xantrex has full specs and the best charger that we tested. Little wonder...they had nothing to hide and it performed as advertized.

On the other hand, my personal CTEK charger that I tested did not do everything that the packaging claimed. They were talking in circles when I called them with proprietary this and that, pure BS since all I had to do was stick it on a data logger which I did. Chargers are not rocket science and have to meet the well known requirements of batteries. Those that claim "charges all types" without being type selectable tell me the manufacturer knows nothing about batteries. A FLA and GEL have different requirements for example.

[Fusion]

Everlast sells welders, of course we will not give out our proprietary information... But we will send parts to someone we feel is qualified to repair a unit, otherwise, if one fails it comes in for repair.

Mike, I am just being careful about my purchase and have learned from past experiences where I almost always regretted buying on price alone. This is a welder, not a hex wrench that I can afford to chuck if it does not meet my expectations or reliability.

For example, out of curiosity, I took the cover off my Swedish company - made in China CTEK charger to see why it wasn't doing what the packaging said it would. Just the quality of soldering had me roll my eyes. Its a $50 charger that cost less than $5 to make in China, so I stopped right there.

Sending a unit in for repair is nice if they are in town. Shipping to and from can start getting expensive which is why I would like to do my own repairs as I do on everything else around the house...or I would not be considering a welder.

By the way, does anybody have any pics of the internals of a 250EX.

[performance]

It may be simple electronics to you, but as you said, China is a copier of product (as well as the US if the company gets a chance to work "around" something). But we are not going to blue print the other factories to do it. In fact, many factories have little technical abilities to design, but can follow schematics to copy their own.

Whether you agree or disagree, that's the way it is. End of discussion for us. We've worked hard for our product line to be as distinct as possible. I don't feel we owe further explanation. A technical person can backwards engineer it, no doubt. But that's not something we're going to make easier.

[everlastsupport]

Mike, I am just being careful about my purchase and have learned from past experiences where I almost always regretted buying on price alone. This is a welder, not a hex wrench that I can afford to chuck if it does not meet my expectations or reliability.

For example, out of curiosity, I took the cover off my Swedish company - made in China CTEK charger to see why it wasn't doing what the packaging said it would. Just the quality of soldering had me roll my eyes. Its a $50 charger that cost less than $5 to make in China, so I stopped right there.

Sending a unit in for repair is nice if they are in town. Shipping to and from can start getting expensive which is why I would like to do my own repairs as I do on everything else around the house...or I would not be considering a welder.

By the way, does anybody have any pics of the internals of a 250EX.

Shipping a welder of any brand will be expensive. When I ran tech support in the past, I would mail a board or chip if the person on the line had the background to handle it. I have sent select sections of a schematic as well. But it is not wise, otheriwise everyone would copy us and all we would have left is "great service".

It is not a common practice in the electronic industry. iphone, xbox, etc. Even welders. I doubt Miller will offer a Dynasty schematic. Or walk someone through a repair over the phone.

Also our repairs are done in the US, nothing goes back to China.

[Fusion]

Thanks Mike, I'll be making my buying decision in the next couple of months.

[everlastsupport]

PowerTIG 250EX is a favorite of mine. And a good machine. Keep us posted.

[DaveO]

Alex, are you close enough to Burlington that you could visit Everlast Canada? They are at

EVERLAST WELDERS CANADA
2-750 Darlene Court
Burlington, ON L7L5V1
905-637-1637

http://www.everlastwelders.ca/

[Fusion]

Alex, are you close enough to Burlington that you could visit Everlast Canada?

Its a bit of a drive but I have already communicated to Duncan that I will probably be up in February for the Toronto motorcycle show and will stop by to check the 250EX as well as other Everlast products. I hope he is more than just an office and has a showroom at that address.

[DaveO]

Duncan checks in here every now and again, perhaps someone could comment: I haven't been but I'm pretty sure it's a showroom. As I recall he's held hands-on demos at his location. Members here on the board report being pleased to work with Duncan directly.

[DLux]

I have a quick question regarding the 250EX. Is the surge amp control for stick welding now incorporated in the machine? Also is there any place in Georgia or the Southeast where you can get warranty repairs and service on your products?

[performance]

No, the surge amp control has been put on hold indefinitely. I live in south GA, but our repair center is located in Idaho.

[Titan winch]

Duncan checks in here every now and again, perhaps someone could comment: I haven't been but I'm pretty sure it's a showroom. As I recall he's held hands-on demos at his location. Members here on the board report being pleased to work with Duncan directly.

We do not have a Showroom ,however people do drop in to visit. Depending on the time frames would depend on my availability. As some of you may know I am fairly active with working at our suppliers. I will be out of the Office most likely sometime in February ( will probably have dates booked for Feb by Monday) and then again for the first week of March up until the 10th then back for a few weeks before any other trips. However dropping in to pick up a unit is still not a problem as Jean will be running thing and depending on the days Brett will be around to help.
Cheers