PIPELINER F163 used to weld, now it wont. Exciter?

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I had an extra pipeliner SA200 sitting in my shop for a number of years. My father started it and struck an arc every month or so, just to keep it 'ready to go' in case the one on our truck failed.   Dad passed away 6 years ago, and I just sold the welder to a close friend / almost family really.. while the welder runs like a top, possibly better than it did when it was NEW, it will not weld.  We have took the nose-cover off and 'polished' the copper,etc that is accessable at the end-nose. It will DIMLY light a 500watt light bulb.. thats it, it just kinda glows reddish.. We have done other tests, backfeeding with my regular used welder and we know power is going thru the generator... but it just wont weld..wont make enuf spark to kick the electric idle up.. what am I missing here?? It used to weld great- Ill admit I didnt start it or use it as often as my father did.. how could it STOP working simply from sitting in the shop? Is there something deeper or simpler (i hope) that im overlooking here??The first step to having everything you want is to want everything you have.
Reply:Maybe try flashing the welder. Flashing the exciter field consists of passing current through the fields using an external source of 6 to 125 volts of DC power from a storage battery or DC generator. If using a DC generator, keep the generator turned off except when actually applying the flashing current. To flash the fields:1. Turn the welder off. Raise one exciter brush off the commutator.2. On Lincoln welders, attach the positive lead from the external DC source to the right hand brush holder.3. Carefully holding an insulated section of the negative lead from the DC source, touch its lug or clamp to the left hand brush holder for five seconds. Pull it away quickly to minimize arcing.Remove the lead from the right hand brush holder, replace the brush on the commutator, start the welder and the generator voltage should build up.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:If its got a remote control switch and you have it switched to remote control without a remote control plugged in then it will only sparkle and not weld.Thats what it sounds like to me.  Good luck
Reply:Originally Posted by slowhandIf its got a remote control switch and you have it switched to remote control without a remote control plugged in then it will only sparkle and not weld.Thats what it sounds like to me.  Good luck
Reply:thankyou guys!! We are going to give ALL ideas a shot tomarrow (saturday) and hopefully get it going again.. I know it cant be much.. has to be simple.. this thing has done nothing but sit for a few years.. so all that can be wrong with it would be from sitting... inside a building.. with all hoods in place... cant be serious.. just somethin aint making contact with something... thanks again! The first step to having everything you want is to want everything you have.
Reply:could just be a stuck exciter brush. You may have to clean the commutator and free up the brushes. Brushes will swell with moisture and stick in their holders.