Amperage Creep

[plumber]

Hi
I have a Power Arc 300. I had to replace it with a new one because the job electrician wired my old one to high voltage and blew it up. Up to that point this machine had been bulletproof. I was very happy with it. My new replacement PA 300 which I've only used a few times has a small issue. While welding, the amperage seem to increase on its own. I noticed the dial turns much easier than the last one and is hard to adjust. very touchy. I think the inherent vibration of the machine might be causing the amperage creep. Is there a way to adjust the dial tension?

Also, do you think my old machine is worth fixing, or is it not cost effective?

Thank you, Mike

[performance]

This is the action of the arc force, unless I miss what you are talking about.

[plumber]

This is the action of the arc force, unless I miss what you are talking about.

I do not think this has anything to do with arc force. In one instance, when I started welding I had the amperage set at 77A on the display. When I was done the readout on the amperage display was 106. This happens intermittently and to different degrees, but enough to be a problem.

[Rambozo]

I do not think this has anything to do with arc force. In one instance, when I started welding I had the amperage set at 77A on the display. When I was done the readout on the amperage display was 106. This happens intermittently and to different degrees, but enough to be a problem.

Maybe mark the knob position to verify that it is moving physically and not just changing electrically. A quick fix if it is could be to pull off the knob, put an o-ring over the shaft, then replace the knob. That would give you some friction between the knob and the front panel and help keep it in place.

[plumber]

Maybe mark the knob position to verify that it is moving physically and not just changing electrically. A quick fix if it is could be to pull off the knob, put an o-ring over the shaft, then replace the knob. That would give you some friction between the knob and the front panel and help keep it in place.

Thank you. I will try that.

[performance]

The display will read the last amperage used for several seconds after welding. If it returns to what was previously set, it would be the arc force.