Plasma cutter does not cut!

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I just hooked up the torch ,air,set the switch on cut but when I press the button on the torch I hear a click ,and a rush of air but no spark (when the tip of the torch touches the work piece).It has to be something simple that I have over looked,this is my first time and I followed the direction exactly ,the pressure on the compressor is set at 70 psi and on the air regulator behind the machine is 60psi,can't make it go passed 60 psi ,could this be the problem?I emptied the compressor tank first to get rid of all the moisture so dry air is being used.Is there anything you can think of that I am missing?your help is really appreciated.Ken.
Reply:Check the ground connection to the piece that you are cutting. A bad or poor ground connection will do that.Most plasma units will have "fault" lights on the front panel that also indicate why it is not functioning properly.http://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:The light you are talking about is not on,I have tried everything but so far it doesn't fire up.
Reply:Well, I don't know about your cutter, but mine (a Blue Point YA2225) insists on a minimum of 70PSI at the cutting tip.When I adjusted the regulator on the back of the unit to 70PSI, I had the same problem as you.  After calls to tech support, I was told to get the air flowing through the tip AND THEN adjust the pressure to give 70PSI.  When I stopped the air flow, the regulator read around 80.After that, it worked just fine.  Apparently my unit had a pressure switch that prevents it from arcing with too little air flow.  Too little flow, and your tips will get burnt up.That may or may not be your problem.Another possibility, is that you have a pressure contact torch tip.On my unit, I need to press the button, which starts the power and airflow, BUT I then need to press the tip with some force, against the workpiece within a second or so and then lift off slightly.  THAT starts the arc.  No contact, no sparks.
Reply:Is your machine an import? Is it something old you got used? It's hard to guess all the possibilities with so few details.
Reply:The machine is a chinese , but it's brand new.I'll try to get the pressure higer than recommened 70 psi so I'll get 70psi at the tip .Let me go give it a try I'll let you all know how it goes.
Reply:I tried it at 70 psi at the nozzle ,made no difference.The vendor seems to be nice guy ,he is asking me if nothing works I'll have to ship it to their service centre ,it's going to cost me $$.
Reply:Originally Posted by distrbdI just hooked up the torch ,air,set the switch on cut but when I press the button on the torch I hear a click ,and a rush of air but no spark (when the tip of the torch touches the work piece).It has to be something simple that I have over looked,this is my first time and I followed the direction exactly ,the pressure on the compressor is set at 70 psi and on the air regulator behind the machine is 60psi,can't make it go passed 60 psi ,could this be the problem?I emptied the compressor tank first to get rid of all the moisture so dry air is being used.Is there anything you can think of that I am missing?your help is really appreciated.Ken.
Reply:Hi,If you're machine is HF enabled and you are getting air to the torch, it means that your regulator and air solenoid are fine. However, it sounds to me as you need to check inside the machine for possible loose connections, then you may have to adjust the HF points to make sure you get a bigger arc.Those are inside the machine as well. Since its another machine i am not sure where they will be but they are there.GoodluckLONGEVITYPhone: 877-566-4462
Reply:Sounds like another one of the Chinese DOA units.  I would have them send you a pre-paid shipping label So it doesn;t cost YOU more money to get a new machine fixed.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Yeah, Nice new machine and it needs to be fixed.  You paid for the machine shipped and WORKING out of da box.  Why pay more?  DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by Hammack_WeldingSounds like another one of the Chinese DOA units.  I would have them send you a pre-paid shipping label So it doesn;t cost YOU more money to get a new machine fixed.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jeep07Yup.  Ship it back and ask for a refund and save up for a brand name machine.  I went through 3 before giving up and eating the $ I spent with them.
Reply:This is what the vendor told me in his last email:Ken: oc light is not on means the internal circuit is okay. We will ask our technician to fix it, it should be very easy. I will email you an electronic shipping lable and you can print out and ship it back to us and we will ship a new one to you.  thank you, I'm not sure what he means by electronic shipping label,does he mean is prepaid or do I have to fork out $70 to send it all the way back from Canada.so far I have tried everything to fix this machine from wiggling the contacts inside the machine to get the spark going ,to playing with the amount of air to the torch ,nothing worked so I'm sending it back .I want to thank every and each one of you for feeling my pain and trying to help out, being new to this forum and all ,you guys made feel like I'm not alone and all of you really mean well and want to find a solution ,I sincerely appreciate it.I'll keep you all up to date with what's happening .Thank you.Ken.Last edited by distrbd; 09-23-2008 at 10:23 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by distrbdI tried it at 70 psi at the nozzle ,made no difference.The vendor seems to be nice guy ,he is asking me if nothing works I'll have to ship it to their service centre ,it's going to cost me $$.
Reply:Originally Posted by distrbdThis is what the vendor told me in his last email:Ken: oc light is not on means the internal circuit is okay. We will ask our technician to fix it, it should be very easy. I will email you an electronic shipping lable and you can print out and ship it back to us and we will ship a new one to you.  thank you, I'm not sure what he means by electronic shipping label,does he mean is prepaid or do I have to fork out $70 to send it all the way back from Canada.so far I have tried everything to fix this machine from wiggling the contacts inside the machine to get the spark going ,to playing with the amount of air to the torch ,nothing worked so I'm sending it back .I want to thank every and each one of you for feeling my pain and trying to help out, being new to this forum and all ,you guys made feel like I'm not alone and all of you really mean well and want to find a solution ,I sincerely appreciate it.I'll keep you all up to date with what's happening .Thank you.Ken.
Reply:Originally Posted by deadman1474By any chance does everlast make it?
Reply:BTW, if you do get a working plasma it would be a good investment to get one of these filters.  It'll save a lot on your tips. "MOTORGUARD AIR FILTER, M-26 1/4NPT"MOTM-26MOTORGUARD AIR FILTER/DRYER M-26 - Eliminates moisture from air supply line. A must for plasma cutters! Submicronic compressed air filter. Mounting bracket included. 1/4in NPT pipe size. 5in x 7in. Uses M-723 filter elements.$89.10 On Sale! $80.00DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:UPDATE:I had to send the machine with UPS at my cost but the seller is going to compensate me with 40 pieces of plasma consumables $56 plus shipping!what do you guys think?I just wanted to finish with the ordeal asap.God knows I just couldn't afford the extra shipping cost since I lost my job last week and now this happens,oh well what are you gonna do right?Thank you all for listening and helping.Ken.
Reply:I'm generally very hesitant to make trades for that kind of thing, I think I would have pressed either they pay shipping or give a full refund. Sounds like a pretty frustrating situation. Hopefully it get's resolved easily.
Reply:So i read all the posts on the c312d plasma cutter and i was just wondering if they ever got your machine fixe? I have a c520d 3-in-1 machine and i am having the same problem although i took the torch apart and when i touchet the copper to the ground and pulled the trigger i had lots of fire but when i put all the consumeables together i got nothing! So i was wondering if they found the problem or if one of you guys can give me some tips on what do to. I look forward to hearing from you! Thanks!
Reply:I have a 60 amp Longevity and had the same problem.  Hit the switch and ot air flow but no fire.  Opened the cover and inspected boards but didn't see anything burnt.  Replaced the nozzle/tip and that fixed it.  Works fine now.Just my $.02Miller 211 w/ spool gunMiller Dynasty 200DXLongevity 60i IGBT plasmaO/A w/ crappy chinese torch/gaugesSouth Bend 10K latheGrizzly 4029 10x54 millGrizzly 7x12 hor bandsawangle grnders, bench grnder, bench belt sndr7.5 hp 80gal cmprsor