Lincoln Idealarc 250 Round Top. Low Heat

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 13:48:53 GMT

go to see Welding Machine for Lincoln Idealarc 250 Round Top. Low Heat

Hello Guys. I've got a few questions. I searched through a ton of threads but could not find exactly what I'm looking for.    I just purchased round top idealarc 250 with low heat issue. With the pointer set to 250(max) Polarity set to DC+ I can barley strike an arc and run a bead. Test rod was 1/8 Excalibur 7018. I also tried AC polarity  setting with a AC7018 rod. Same results.What are the possible issues?Are replacement parts still available for these welders? Is this welder do it yourself friendly? All help is greatly appreciated! I will get pictures loaded up tomorrow during the daytime.Last edited by lordbiotree; 03-30-2013 at 01:33 AM.
Reply:If you have a volt meter, put it on the output studs then turn welder on and check open circuit voltage on DC+, DC-, and AC. You may just have dirty contacts on the polarity switch. It's possible you have problems in the rectifier stack also.The machines are fairly simple and parts are still available... well, most of them are. Add your location to your profile, someone in your area may be able to help you in person.Using the machine's serial and code number, you can download the user manual from Lincoln's web site. There will be a schematic in the manual, but there will also be one attached to the inside of the shroud, and hopefully, it's still readable. Always refer to the schematic inside the machine.There is one other very simple possibility. The machine may be set up to run on high voltage as opposed to 230v. There will be either a jumper or a separate wire to switch out, depending on year it was made. That will certainly cause low output and has happened to a couple of folks in recent memory. Again, refer to the drawing inside the machine for instructions on how to set it for the proper input voltage.Good luck,PapaLincoln Idealarc 250 (circa 1962)Lincoln Weldpak 155 w/Mig KitLincoln Squarewave TIG 175
Reply:Yes, It's possible that the machine is wired to run on 460v power. It will not run properly on 230v if it is wired to run on 460v.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:It's also possibly the machine is wired to run on 1 phase of a 3 phase power system.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Originally Posted by snoeproeIt's also possibly the machine is wired to run on 1 phase of a 3 phase power system.
Reply:The IA 250's were all single phase machines but they can be wired to run on one phase of a three phase power system. We have a few at work that are running on 1 phase of a 575v 3 phase power system.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Originally Posted by snoeproeThe IA 250's were all single phase machines but they can be wired to run on one phase of a three phase power system. We have a few at work that are running on 1 phase of a 575v 3 phase power system.
Reply:Thanks for the all the help. Whatever 250v power the PO had the welder plugged into is fubared up. My neighbor came over who is a retired electrician. I asked him to check the welder out and verify everything on the inside is operating properly.  We wired in a new NEMA 6-50 welding plug. Checked the line Voltage and ran a few amperage tests. Line voltage read 242 volts. With just the fan on, the clamp meeter read 11 amps. I ran a few beads at the max output DC+ setting . Line current Read 219 Amp. Works great! My overall investment is $60.00. Welder came with 2 Lenco and 2 Jackson Electrode Holder and 1 old ground clamp. No leads. Only issues are the plastic indicator is broken. The fork on the inside which moves the indicator is bent significantly. If I can find a new slider I'll get this fixed.  Here are some photos. Last edited by lordbiotree; 03-31-2013 at 11:51 PM.
Reply:A replacement pointer can likely be had. My unit it older and had a metal pointer riding along a rod that's welded to the back of the front panel.If the fork is bent, it's pretty easy to remove and straighten it back to the way it should be. That's what happens when some idiot gets to the end of travel and keeps cranking the knob on the front.PapaLincoln Idealarc 250 (circa 1962)Lincoln Weldpak 155 w/Mig KitLincoln Squarewave TIG 175