My Power Plasma 50

[jtybt]

Compressor is set at 80 PSI and the plasma is stuck at 60 PSI...but that's not the problem. There is no arc or pilot arc. I hear a solenoid in the machine and all air pressure in the feed line to the torch deflates.

The air hose to and from the air pressure dial was leaking but took a re crimp fine. The hose to the'solenoid'(?) blew off so I put a small hose clamp on and it held.

After these fixes, the torch fired and cut two spot welds off and then stopped with the deflate of the air supply to the torch.

I called Mike a couple times and missed him. He called me today and I missed him.

Got a hold of mark and he suggested the hose clamps...but they have to be modified(bent) to close on a 5/16" hose.

[geezer]

Interesting problem, could be a sticking relay/bad relay connection, or perhaps the consumable is pitted and welding it self to the tip, the pilot arc torch has a sliding tip on a spring, anything gets in there could give you a problem. My problem occured when I used a fellows compressor that was loaded with water from not draining it regularly, the little filter grabbed a teaspoon of water in two minutes of use. Used my own compressor and the problem stopped.

[jtybt]

Interestimng. I'll hook up my water trap/water filter for my paint gun and switch over to my pancake compressor and take to tip apart....but I think it's an electrical problem at this point, with the torch hose deflating when I pull the trigger.

[Ray]

Not to jump in here, hopefully you’ve heard from Mike. The unit will shut down the arc if there is not enough air flow, for safety. From what I’m reading it sounds like you have a restriction in the air line to the solenoid, I’d take a good look at the regulator or air line to it. Look for Styrofoam in the reg. inlet. Also look to see that the regulator is not coming unscrewed at the body (from turning the knob). Hope this helps.

Ray

[jtybt]

Good input. All suggestions will be happily looked at.

I just started the plasma inside the garage and noticed the yellow light was on. Didn't see it before cuz I was outside.

Also hear a high pitched, almost inaudible buzz when I pull the trigger and the torch hose deflates.

Haven't heard from Mike this morning. I'm on the west coast(30 mi from the warehouse) and I think Mike is in Florida so there's a time difference.

[performance]

Have you checked the tightness of your consumables? Loose consumables are the primary cause of the condition you described.

The main issue outside of that is a torch malfunction. Carefully inspect the two pins at the top of the torch head when the cup is removed. They look like to fine ballpoint pen tips sticking out. They should move in and out freely and point straight. The next thing to check is the "plunger" action of the electrode. If you press in on the electrode, it should rebound quickly. If it rebounds slowly or not at all, you have a problem. Also, in twisting the torch or using it, occasionally a wire comes off inside the torch body itself. 4 screws will open it up along with a gentle twist on the bottom of the torch body to unscrew the plastic fitting that is attached holding the torch together. Look at the attachment points and the trigger wires. You can see if the wires have slipped off the terminals or not, and inspect the solder points of the power AND pilot arc wires.

The yellow light is on...its a good thing, tells you you are in the correct pressure range.

[jtybt]

Pulled off the cup and blew thru the tip and assembled. Works now, BUT the post flow timer doesn't work. Turned it all the way down to check and it still blows about 15 sec.

The pilot arc runs fine until I attach ground and start to cut. The arc shuts down. Sometimes after 2 secs or 5 secs, but it always shuts down with the ground attached to the work. Sometimes it will restart by itself. Everytime it shuts down, the air hose to the torch deflates.

The inner tip spring seems to work but one pin feels a little rough.

[geezer]

Sounds like a crud problem in the hose, probably stuff in the hose during manufacturing, a tiny bit of crud can affect the swirl ring or piston especially if the air is wet coming through making the crud in to a sticky paste. Keep us informed, new knowledge and fixes are good for others to know.

[jtybt]

One curious thing. There is a 1-2 sec delay after pulling the trigger til the pilot arc starts...but every once in a while it'll start as soon as I pull the trigger.

I have a refillable aeresol can from HF that I can fill with lacquer thinner and spray the torch tip parts and maybe un stick them.

I'm disassembling some tube type wrought iron fence to build up some stock but it also gives me practice in cutting thin stuff and tack welds without going thru...well most of the time.

I have a bunch of 3/16" X 2" angle iron brackets I have to disassemble, too.

Gotta make this plasma cutter pay for itself.

[performance]

Jbyt,

The symptoms you are giving is of a faulty torch. Call Monday, and we can send one out. Most likely the spring is retracting too slowly. Arc starting can be slightly delayed if that is the case. Sometimes, its just a matter of use. But call sales on Monday, and they should be able to send one out right away.

[jtybt]

Oky Thanks, Mark.

[geezer]

One curious thing. There is a 1-2 sec delay after pulling the trigger til the pilot arc starts...but every once in a while it'll start as soon as I pull the trigger.

I have a refillable aeresol can from HF that I can fill with lacquer thinner and spray the torch tip parts and maybe un stick them.

I'm disassembling some tube type wrought iron fence to build up some stock but it also gives me practice in cutting thin stuff and tack welds without going thru...well most of the time.

I have a bunch of 3/16" X 2" angle iron brackets I have to disassemble, too.

Gotta make this plasma cutter pay for itself.

That delay indicates a sticky piston binding, you could pump it up and down a dozen times to break it in or clear it, the other possiblity that comes to mind is the trigger switch is not making a positive contact, it's a very simple switch, the sticky piston is my first guess, make sure the consumable is tight.

I don't think it is a serious problem just painful one, keeping your air dry & clean is important