Trigger Activated Arc

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I have a cheap flux core welder that arcs as soon as I touch the wire to the material, even though I am not pressing the trigger. My friend has a flux core welder that does not arc while touching the wire to the material until the trigger is pressed. I like that setup, because it would seem to allow the positioning of the wire where you want it first, then you can start the weld when you're in position and ready. Could someone please tell me the name of that feature/function/technology? I'm going to get a different welder and want to make sure I get one with that feature. Thanks.
Reply:I know just what you mean,,, not sure of what "name" would be on that function, but I can tell you you'd only find the "constant power" to the wire on the very cheapest of machines. I wanna also say that it would be an extremely easy thing to add to your existing welder (if you otherwise like that machine). All they're doing is to eliminate a Solenoid between the feeder and the transformer. You could put one there yourself for just a few bucks.My cheap flux core is a HF Titanium 125, I think they might be hard to find right now but, it's power to the wire Is controlled by the trigger and is a really great little inverter welder for under $200!
Reply:BaTu, thanks. The Titanium is actually the one I'm looking at.
Reply:The name for the cheap one you have is Live mig or hot torch, or some combination ,  meaning it is always live, and will when the wire touches the metal.  Nearly all the newer machines are set up so that the mig is not live until you push the switch, sometimes called cold torch,  but I think the live or hot torches are so uncommon, the cold ones are not described as cold.  And yes, you want a mig that is cold until you trigger it, it makes it easier to set up what you are going to weld.
Reply:Do you have a guard / protector for the tip?  That will minimize erroneous contact potential.
Reply:

Originally Posted by fam6forever

I have a cheap flux core welder that arcs as soon as I touch the wire to the material, even though I am not pressing the trigger.
Reply:It sounds like a capacitors arc. I seen on Miller welders too. If you do not like arc you put a very large resistor on capacitors (on each capacitor 5K 10watt) Dave

Originally Posted by fam6forever

I have a cheap flux core welder that arcs as soon as I touch the wire to the material, even though I am not pressing the trigger. My friend has a flux core welder that does not arc while touching the wire to the material until the trigger is pressed. I like that setup, because it would seem to allow the positioning of the wire where you want it first, then you can start the weld when you're in position and ready. Could someone please tell me the name of that feature/function/technology? I'm going to get a different welder and want to make sure I get one with that feature. Thanks.
Reply:that sometimes happen on both my lincoln and miller.   it will spark when im pulling trigger to advance wire for advancing wire to cutoff for fresh wire.  then you touch metal and it sparks.  is that what OP means and his welder is doing?lincoln 125spdayton 250 ac/dcmiller 211 w/spool gunahp  200 sx tiglotos ltp5000dkubota b3200 FEL BHof course duramax diesel
Reply:If you actually have a live tip, you could also fold the wire back before welding. That too will minimize erroneous contact.Ultimately sounds like an excuse for a shiney new green welder. It's pretty nice, for the price.
Reply:They make a low price AC mig welder that when switch on the tip is live. There is no relay to turn on and off the main transformer.Dave

Originally Posted by fam6forever

I have a cheap flux core welder that arcs as soon as I touch the wire to the material, even though I am not pressing the trigger. My friend has a flux core welder that does not arc while touching the wire to the material until the trigger is pressed. I like that setup, because it would seem to allow the positioning of the wire where you want it first, then you can start the weld when you're in position and ready. Could someone please tell me the name of that feature/function/technology? I'm going to get a different welder and want to make sure I get one with that feature. Thanks.
Reply:Some wire feeders are "hot" all the time.  For example my LN25 is hot, some times It grounds out to the work and messes up the tip.It seemed like a good idea at the time!
Reply:my mig has burn back feature....did not know what this feature was, asburn back is not listed in manufactures brochure.why it this feature hidden??IF purchasing another mig, how do I know if its got burn back?no more clipping wire stckout....very handy!!!!
Reply:Thank you, all! The explanation about the difference between hot torch and cold torch helped me a lot.