Clarke Mig 160TM Turbo Welder DEAD! May have fixed it ???

[grizz]

Now a call out for all genius types.

My welder has gone through about 2.5kg of welding wire.

A few weeks ago while welding it tripped out, I thought overheating, and carried on with the stick welder as it was not a finesse job.

Then a while later I started it up again, planning to do some practice welds on steel plate, for when I started cutting and welding he trucks rust...... switched it on, and at the first arc I struck the welder died again.

Checked the fuse etc..... all seemed fine.

Any ideas ?



So another weekend comes to an end.

[grumpy]

Maybe the torch switch ? Have you got a spare torch to swao over to check ? Other than that i would say its got to be some sort of switch inside ?

[93fxdl]

Put some other ideas on your pickup thread, plus here's a link to manual and wiring diagram
www.clarkeservice.co.uk/product_manuals/mig_welders.shtml
There's a bit in it which states, a 13 amp supply is not enough, so possibly your supply is failing
Ttfn Glenn
Ps, is it completely dead or does it power up but not weld? If it has a cooling fan, is this running?

[grumpy]

Yes , check the fan , i know its common for tig welders not to run if the fan or pumps not working .

[dodgerover]

Had a similar problem with a different MIG and it turned out to be a dry joint on the main board - I have to admit it had to go in for repair to be found though, resoldered it was fine - prior to this it had worked hard for 20+ years so why it should suddenly have been an issue is a mystery.

[m1keh]

Is it still feeding wire through OK until you try to strike a weld? Does any sort of warning light come on?

If you've already tried cleaning any slag out of the shroud and tip to make sure it's not shorting out, I'd pull the torch handle apart and check it's making good contact. Also check the connections for the torch inside the welder itself, and for any damage to the insulation round the torch where it comes out through the casing.

Once you get past that, I'd be asking on mig-welding.co.uk for more technical advice on testing the main components.

[grizz]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Last night I removed the plug, cut about 2 inches off the cable, refitted and replaced the 13A fuse.

Plugged it in, the cooling fan came on, no light behind the power switch.

I then welded about 300mm on some plate and other than having to set the feed, power etc. I just need to practice loads so that I get the patch panels right first time around.

Mate Martin will be around later for pizza, porn and probing my welder with his tester. Hopefully he will find all is fine.

Looking forward to the birthday prezzie he got his boss to bring back from Thailand.
When I went there a few years ago, I could not get a plate.

He had some new ones made, and the used one comes from his Ford Escort he is having rebuilt in Thailand.



Nice addition to my collection.