Broken plasma cutter?

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 09:40:12 GMT

go to see Welding Machine for Broken plasma cutter?

I was finally able to fire up the plasma cutter on the PowerMaster 205 I got on Monday and I am having an issue. I've got the air pressure set to around 60 and have everything hooked up correctly (I think). The amperage display goes from something like 20 to 50 or so, and I set it in about the middle. When I get set up to try to test out a cut, I press the trigger, get a moment of airflow, and then the air cuts off. Earlier I would get air flow if I only pressed the trigger half way, but then when I pulled it in all the way air would cut off.For connecting things I hooked have the ground hooked in, the control wires screwed into their outlet, the power to the plasma cutter plugged in, and I've screwed on the pilot arc wire from the cutter.It all seems pretty simple, so I'm guess I just have a plasma cutter with a bad switch. There was a little bit of burn on the tip of it so it "seems" like it was used, but I figured it might have just been used when testing or something.Does anyone know of a situation other than faulty equipment that would cause this issue?
Reply:Tralfaz,Its likely only a torch issue.  Have you checked your consumables? Check and make sure they are tight. Are you using it with the torch connected to the negative terminal?    We do serve tech support on most weekends.  Call 877-755-9353 ext 203 or 204.  The torches are test fired, but there still may be an issue, a switch wire off or something is possible if the wires were stretched in packing when the torch was tightly coiled.  You can PM me your number and I will give you a call personally.  You can also find some further helpful  information on our forum: http://www.everlastgenerators.com/forums/index.phpEsab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:I did have those switched (I assumed "-" was ground, and didn't see anything to the contrary in the plasma cutter section of the manual). I'll give it a shot tomorrow to see if that fixes the issue. Hopefully that's the issue. I'm not sure if that would explain the weirdness with the air only coming on when the trigger was half depressed or not, but hopefully that covers it.Otherwise, I'll try calling or will PM you my number tomorrow to get some help with it. Thanks for the help so far.
Reply:From page 15 section 2.2.5   :Negative (-) lug. For TIG operation, connect the TIG torch to this side. For Plasma torch operation, connect the torch to the negative lug also. For most MMA/Stick welding situationsThe technical term is "work piece".  Its not a true ground, though it is commonly referred to as one, even in many manuals.  Its a confusing term for a lot of people.  But even something called a  "ground" can be positive, as some "old timers" can attest to with old automobiles and several old tractors that used a positive ground with a six volt battery.   This is simply a "return path" that completes the circuit.  But the problem you described does make sense, if you think about it.  The current is flowing from the workpiece to the torch in the configuration that you had.  The arc would be jumping to the tip instead of correctly coming from the tip.    The pilot arc would have been trying to be created at the work piece.   The unit can't sense the current flow properly and could interfere with the air flow circuit.    It is possible that you "fused" the torch tip/piston inside the torch from the reverse polarity or worse.  But call us and we can walk you through.  I will be available after 2 pm eastern tomorrow.Last edited by lugweld; 05-16-2010 at 01:58 AM.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:OK.  That was the problem.  I should have caught that but I guess I was so eager to just get cutting that I didn't read the description of the items on the front panel.  When I had th lines reversed it could never create an arc so luckily I didn't burn up the tip.All that said, I just messed around with cutting some scraps I had laying around and it seemed to work just as well as the ESAB I used in a welding class.  About the same amount of dross (which I assume is more due to me than the machine).  Now I just need to pick up some tungsten electrodes so I can try out the tig.  I might pick up some sticks at Home Depot today to at least try that out also (been a while since I messed with arc welding).
Reply:Yes, reading directions is always important.  But we are all guilty of  failing to read them  from time to time.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:tralfaz; read the thread below comparing the Hypertherm 30 cuts to those done with my Power Ultra 205. A Hypertherm  owner couldn't pick out the Everlast cuts from those done with the Hypertherm. Nor could I if I hadn't made them!It was  a pretty interesting thread until some redneck got involved and turned it into a political bash session!