maxstar 150 S hot start

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Have a lot of sticking when I try to start 3/32 7018 and I'm not sure if its me or the machine. A 3/32 Excalibur may stick on me 3 or 4 times before I can get it going, im not talking restarts fresh rods.  I'm running it at 90 amps and when I us them on my syncrowave at 90 i have no problem. The problem seems to be somewhat intermittent and after I've had the machine running a little while.  When I first start there doesn't seem to be a problem its more after I've run a rod or two. Isn't much of a problem with other rods 6011, 7014, 6013.  I was just wondering if it may be something with the hot start.
Reply:My little maxstar sticks sometimes too - just turn them up a little - 100 amps works good.Scratch with authority, don't be timid 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:its the machine.   not sure why its intermitent.   mine are consistantly poor. mine are stl
Reply:A Lincoln will fix your problem.  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:try 7018ac rod, the 150s {used a couple different ones} seemed to stick weld/lightup better than my sth
Reply:Check your ground.  Check both ends of the wire.  Also check the surface of the ground clamp and the dinse connector for corrosion and burned spots.  A poor ground will cause intermittent starting problems.It wouldn't hurt to check the jaws of your stinger to make sure they are clean and making good contact with the rod.My name's not Jim....
Reply:We have one at work and I've had the same exact problem with it as well. I've started burning a lot of 3/32 6010 with it instead of 7018 for that reason. I only use it if i have just a little job to do that's in a confined space otherwise I just pull out one of the XMT 304's.-DoogieMiller 350PMiller Trailblazer 325 EFI w/ Excel PowerLincoln LN25 suitcase welderXMT 304/22a feederMiller Syncrowave 350LXMiller EconotigHobart Handler 140(2) Uni-Hydro 42-14Hypertherm 65 plasmaWEBB Gap bed lathe
Reply:maybe your breaker's undersized or too long an extension cord. i think 3/32 7018 would be at the upper range of that machine if it's on 110v.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmCheck your ground.  Check both ends of the wire.  Also check the surface of the ground clamp and the dinse connector for corrosion and burned spots.  A poor ground will cause intermittent starting problems.It wouldn't hurt to check the jaws of your stinger to make sure they are clean and making good contact with the rod.
Reply:My maxstar sometimes likes to stick also. A long drag across the steel will usually get the arc started.
Reply:Thanks for all the replies guys, thats great.  Glad to see no one really thinks its the machine because I really like it for its size and portability.  The bad groung makes the most sence to me, I don't think I pay enough atention to it, usually just flop the piece on the table and go.  Noticed Derek burns 6010,  my machine don't run it very well, but 6011 is great. I usually run on 220v but 110 is about the same. Really think it may be my grounds, thank boostinjdm and thanks to everyone else.
Reply:Sprucing up the ground clamp will help, but really it's just the nature of the beast. Welders optimized to run efficiently on 120V don't have as high an open-circuit voltage as 240V machines. I have a 150S and a Lincoln 210MP and neither are as easy starting as 240V welders.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps