Maxstar TIG help

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So I have had this maxstar 200 SD for about a year and a half now, just recently got my argon for TIG welding, and just got my SSC controls foot pedal. The machine stick welds great, it TIG welds great in stick mode. But for the life of me I cant figure out why it will not start the arc in Lift Arc mode when I touch to the work piece. It will start the arc on touch with HF Impulse and control the amps with the foot pedal, but why can't I just hold it away from the work piece and let it initiate.It is set to DCEN, 100% argon, and grounded well. Im not sure what other information you will need from me to help me figure this out.Miller Maxstar 200 SDPiperliner #10 Gold
Reply:Put the output in the "on" position.Don't have it in the two start positions.When you put it in the on position, your volts 'gauge" will kick on to about 8-10volts.I'm guessing you don't have a thumb switch???Mine did, and you used that to turn on the power and gas.If you don't have a thumb switch, put the output to on, and "lift", and your arc will start, and your gas will turn on.Let me know if that fixes it.~JohnLast edited by AKweldshop; 05-24-2014 at 05:28 PM.Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopPut the output in the "on" position.Don't have it in the two start positions.When you put it in the on position, your volts 'gauge" will kick on to about 8-10volts.I'm guessing you don't have a thumb switch???Mine did, and you used that to turn on the power and gas.If you don't have a thumb switch, put the output to on, and "lift", and your arc will start, and your gas will turn on.Let me know if that fixes it.~John
Reply:Silly question, but are you sticking the tungsten to the work piece THEN  hit and hold the pedal and lift off?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Just went out, tried it I swore I had it set up that way last time. This time i struck it like a stick electrode and it started, then after that I could tap it and it would go. I guess the foot pedal works without having to touch to. I think it had something to do with the pre flow. What does it mean when the machine rapidly clicks?Miller Maxstar 200 SDPiperliner #10 Gold
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleSilly question, but are you sticking the tungsten to the work piece THEN  hit and hold the pedal and lift off?
Reply:Originally Posted by smilexelectricJust went out, tried it I swore I had it set up that way last time. This time i struck it like a stick electrode and it started, then after that I could tap it and it would go. I guess the foot pedal works without having to touch to. I think it had something to do with the pre flow. What does it mean when the machine rapidly clicks?
Reply:Can I use the foot pedal for lift arc? when I used the lift arc a second ago I touched and pulled away and it started.Miller Maxstar 200 SDPiperliner #10 Gold
Reply:That's a scratch start.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:You should be able to use the pedal for lift arc.You hit the pedal with your foot, gas turns on, you touch the tungsten, pull back.Put the machine in "tig lift arc", and should be one of the three start ones. I'm not sure, as I never used a pedal.In your original question, were you using a pedal or not???~JohnJust a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:My invertec uses touch start with the pedal (no HF on it).Touch the metalHit the pedalLift to start arcMaybe yours is similar?Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveMy invertec uses touch start with the pedal (no HF on it).Touch the metalHit the pedalLift to start arcMaybe yours is similar?
Reply:Just looked yours up, it's the same.From the maxstar manual:Last edited by MinnesotaDave; 05-24-2014 at 11:16 PM.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopDave,Do you push the pedal down, than touch???Can you do it with no pedal??I tried, and I get no output.
Reply:I had the same issue with my STL, and it was all me.If you set the contactor and amperage to remote, then regardless of mode the machine will only start on the amps that are set by that remote pedal or switch.So if you are in that mode, touch tungsten and then lift, it will start at the amps the pedal is telling it to.  If you're not on the pedal, then that amperage is zero and the arc won't start.  This happens in non-remote mode as well.  I thought my machine was bad.  Once my finger control is in the machine, if I'm in either tig mode, the machine only works at the amps set at the finger control.  It was quite confusing.  So set amps on machine, step down fully on pedal, touch tungsten and lift. Should work.But your machine has HF, doesn't it?  Why would you ever want to use a pedal in lift tig mode if you have HF?  Unless you're in a situation where you can't trigger a pedal, I don't get why you'd use lift arc.Even with the on/off switch shown in your pics, you should be able to set HF start, upslope, downslope, etc...   Then hit your button and everything will start without any tungsten fouling.Last edited by Drf255; 05-25-2014 at 06:01 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255I had the same issue with my STL, and it was all me.If you set the contactor and amperage to remote, then regardless of mode the machine will only start on the amps that are set by that remote pedal or switch.So if you are in that mode, touch tungsten and then lift, it will start at the amps the pedal is telling it to.  If you're not on the pedal, then that amperage is zero and the arc won't start.  This happens in non-remote mode as well.  I thought my machine was bad.  Once my finger control is in the machine, if I'm in either tig mode, the machine only works at the amps set at the finger control.  It was quite confusing.  So set amps on machine, step down fully on pedal, touch tungsten and lift. Should work.But your machine has HF, doesn't it?  Why would you ever want to use a pedal in lift tig mode if you have HF?  Unless you're in a situation where you can't trigger a pedal, I don't get why you'd use lift arc.Even with the on/off switch shown in your pics, you should be able to set HF start, upslope, downslope, etc...   Then hit your button and everything will start without any tungsten fouling.