Lincoln Invertec 205T AC/DC questions

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Hi,I have had one of these for years and recently started using it again.  I mostly used it for stick welding but have TIG-ed a few times.  I am trying to improve my aluminum welding currently.  I have a thumb Amptrol.  My question for anyone that uses one is when I am using AC TIG to weld aluminum, when I am through with the weld I turn the Amptrol to off but the spark keeps going until I pull the torch away and break the spark.  Unless I do this it will keep going and going. Is this correct? Thanks,Kevin
Reply:The high frequency arc should stop when you turn the control down.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Thanks for the reply Pug, so I think you mean the arc should stop altogether then? or do I need to pull the torch away?
Reply:You shouldn't need to pull away to break the arc.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Thank you.
Reply:Are you sure you selected 4T instead of 2T on the remote switch? Also check your downslope time on your wave. It's a great TIG but not a Dynasty. I work mine to death!
Reply:If the settings that gocirino suggested are OK, then suspect the thumb control. The switch is the first thing to die on them. Eventually the switch won't open even when the control is all the way in the off position. If the control is dead, get a new one from CK. They are reasonably priced and repairable. The Lincoln one is neitherJohn.A few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Thanks for the answers.  I am complete amateur when it comes to TIG-ing and have a lot to learn.  Lincoln's operator manual isn't really that helpful either.  I did check the amptrol with my meter and the switch works fine along with the potentiometer.  It better because I have hardly used it!As for the 4T and the 2T, I saw that it was on 4T tonight.  To be honest with you I don't really know when to use each setting. Should it be on 4T? The downslope wasn't too long if I remember but will check it tomorrow.  Also I am wondering when adjusting the amptrol will the amp LED reading change?  Mine doesn't.Lincoln Invertec 205T AC/DCBunch of other crap.
Reply:Set it on 2T. Zero out your downslope just to see if it still happens. Don't sweat the LED.
Reply:Should be 2T with an amptrol (hand or foot). The 4T is for a switch that allows a start & stop setting other than the weld setting. Switch once gives you start current, switch again gets weld current, switch again ramps back to start current and the last switch shuts it down.IIRC many lincolns default to 25% start/stop & crater current & don't let you adjust it... This has been something you could set on good european & japanese TIGs since the 80's. Think lower current start for steel or stainless or higher start for aluminum (you ramp the latter down with 1 fast click & crater fill with long click). They work better with a button or paddle switch (for me anyway) and long press starts & stops while a quick press will switch between high & low current settings forever. Couple that with separate up/down slope timers and a good hand will run circles around a foot amptrol if the welder is moving around something much while working.MY NOTE TO LINCOLN... C'mon man!Good luckMatt
Reply:Thanks Gents.  It was in 4T which was causing my problems.  Thanks Matt for the explanation.Lincoln Invertec 205T AC/DCBunch of other crap.