Almost free XMT 304, how to tell if its worth fixing up.

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 09:35:54 GMT

go to see Welding Machine for Almost free XMT 304, how to tell if its worth fixing up.

I got an XMT 304 today. I got it basically free (aside from my own work and time).It doesn't have a power cord, but I had to rewire my xmt 350, so I think I can handle that.The thing is super filthy, and so while maintaining respect for the possibility of high voltage (although I'm told its been sitting in this storage area for years, so how much HV remains is questionable), I'll be cleaning up the outside and where possible, the inside.Much more ominous is the note on it that says "Main board bad".What I'm wondering, is whether there are some things I can do to verify that the board is indeed bad, and further, how to determine if the machine is worth fixing.If not fixable, is there anything worth anything inside, either for sale or as spare parts to an XMT 350 (if the models have any parts in common).
ReplyM me with the first two letters of the SN and I'll email you a tech manual for it. Personally, I wouldn't touch it except to strip it for parts. God only knows what else went when the control board did. You'll need two multimeters to properly test the precharge on the caps. Pop the cover, take the boards out, remove the back and front grille and take it to the car wash. Blow out with compressed air well and put a fan on it for a day. Yes, welding machines are washed in the repair industry every day. Anyone telling you they're not knows little to noting about repairing them. You'll want to clean the wires connecting to the interconnect board and mark them so you know where they go when you put it back together. The routing diagram will also tell you but it's a little complex if you have never looked at one before.The 304 and 350 are two completely different machines. Sure, some of the parts have value I certainly would throw them away.Last edited by 7A749; 09-10-2016 at 10:20 PM.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Get the number off the board and you can get an idea of repair costs at York Electronics. http://www.yorkelectronics.com/image...ingCatalog.pdfA lot of times however, there are one or more components that ultimately take out the board. You may have a successful board repair, only to plug it back in and the original problem takes out the good newly repaired board. Don't get me wrong, I'm far from an electronics whizz. Edit: The electronics whizz (7a) beat me to it. "You can't out puke a buzzard"
Reply:First thing I would do is take a look at the power switch.  The power cord supplies power to the machine directly thru it. They do tend to blow up sometimes being they handle high voltages. On other inverters, the primary power switch uses secondary wires that activate the precharge system. I'm not super sharp on these machines, but if you go thru the pre power checks, you'll likely find the main issues. If the main board is indeed smoked, you may be able to buy a used one for it, but I would only do that after I had done the complete pre power and confirmed you didn't have other problems. The IGBT modules, input rectifier, output diodes and resistors on the interconnect board are other places problems happen during a major failure. Don't dump a lot of money in it. You can buy a working one for $1200 all day long nowadays.ccawgc is very very sharp on these machines and may be able to offer you some guidance. He's usually pretty busy but might be able to help if you were to reach out to him, unless he happens to see this first.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Originally Posted by PipelinerGet the number off the board and you can get an idea of repair costs at York Electronics. http://www.yorkelectronics.com/image...ingCatalog.pdfA lot of times however, there are one or more components that ultimately take out the board. You may have a successful board repair, only to plug it back in and the original problem takes out the good newly repaired board. Don't get me wrong, I'm far from an electronics whizz. Edit: The electronics whizz (7a) beat me to it.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749PM me with the first two letters of the SN and I'll email you a tech manual for it.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749 Don't dump a lot of money in it. You can buy a working one for $1200 all day long nowadays.
Reply:Yeah, it's not rocket science. I use blue painters tape and label the wires as I take them off. There's several that go to the interconnect board, which in turn connect to the power modules and input rectifier.. I would remove the boards and wash them in your kitchen sink with some mean green and a soft paint brush. Blow them off good with compressed air and let them dry. Hopefully there's no other bad parts. You may get lucky. The power switch is expensive, I would look for good used parts if possible. I have seen a number of 304s sell for less than $1200. I had a mint one I bought new at an auction I sold for $1600 a few years ago. I owned it about eight years. Make sure you include an email addy so I can send you that manual. I'll also include the testing guide which tells you how to test a variety of components in these machines.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948