Questions about Miller Auto Arc Quick Cut 2000 plasma

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I have been given an older auto arc quick cut 2000 but it needs a new torch (completely missing) Since it rather old I would like to replace the the hose and wiring as well. The manual states it has HF pilot arc but that's were I get confused. I like the S45 torch but to my understanding it is not an HF torch. I have seen a few like the CP50 but are much more rare. What I want to know is what torch to I need to make this thing work? The schematic can be found on millers site under quick cut 2000. The only connections are: TorchWorkPilot arc/cup safety Cup safetyTorch trigger Torch triggerThe cup safety can be bypassed with a simple jumper but I am currious as to what makes a torch HF or not. This is my first plasma and I'm just trying to do all my homework so I don't fry this thing. Any help would be appreciated as I am very anxious to get this thing running. And please excuse my grammatical error. Work block this site so I'm on my phone. Thanks
Reply:There are two types of high frequency start torches....those that have to actually contact the plate to start, and those that have a pilot arc (will fire in the air) for starting. The power supplies used with these two types are different.....so you must match the torch design to work with the power supply. The power supply produces a high voltage/high freuency discharge to ionize the plasma gas for starting.Non high frequency start plasma torches (originally introduced by Hypertherm in the 1980's) use a moving electrode inside the torch assembly to create a short circuit spark that ionizes the gas...these torches will all fire in the air (pilot arc). These style torches must be used with power supplies that aredesigned for this technology.If you have more details on the make, powe level and model/year of your system....we could probably point you in the right direction. Do you have a manual?Many Miller units use torches produced by Hypertherm...but I am not familiar with your model.Jim Colt   Hypertherm
Reply:Well...... I know its been a while lol but I have never done anything with this old plasma cutter. Jim, thank you very much for that explanation. That makes a lot of sense and makes it easier to figure out which one I need. From the manual, there are no moving parts in the torch but it says it has HF so it must be a scratch start.  I don't really know how to load a manual on here but can be found under millers resource page by searching for quick cut 2000. If anybody could look at those for me and lend a hand at getting this thing going once and for all, I would greatly appreciate it. ThanksBobby
Reply:This is a contact high frequency start. If you can hook it up a PT31 torch will work.www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Quick Cut 2000Is this the manual?Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:Mechanic, I actually just bought a pt-31 off eBay. Raptor, yes that is the manual.
Reply:Well just for giggles I shot miller an email and they actually have a few torches left. But they want $849 for them. You would think they would want to liquidate their old stock like that but I guess not. Googled the part number and weld fabulous listed that part number with the description of 15'  ATP-1000 torch for $2.50. So including shipping it was $10. Figured it was worth a shot to find out if its actually the torch and lead lol Hopefully I'll find something to make this thing work. I know its small and out dated but it sucks to have to throw it away just becaus a person can't find a torch for it.
Reply:Ok all you smarty pants. After some minor modifications to the hose end (miller used a smaller fitting) I hookd up the torch and I have the HF but no cutting power. Anybody have any idea where to check first? I've had the board out to clean it and there are no noticeable burnt or damages spots. There are no loose wires or anything so I'm wondering if I have a bad cap? No idea. Anybody?
Reply:Originally Posted by raven154Well just for giggles I shot miller an email and they actually have a few torches left. But they want $849 for them. You would think they would want to liquidate their old stock like that but I guess not.
Reply:I thought Hypertherm (or was it Thermodynamics...can't remember which) offered $10 for every amp on a working OR non-working cutting machine in trade-in for a new one.  I think my Miller is 29 amps...that's 290 if the machine ever breaks down.
Reply:Lol mine says 12 amps on the front.
Reply:Ok I think I'm on to something. I had an idea and decided to try it. Terminal 1 Says pilot arc/shield cup detector. So all along I've been trying to wrap my head around this and it clicked. The pilot arc/shield cup detector circuit really isn't a cup detector, but a pilot arc circuit that the metal tip just completes. Having the jumper in there to simulate the path completes that circuit but it never sees the voltage it would if where actually attached to the cup to creat a pilot arc. So I ran a wire from terminal 1 and just wrapped it around the tip and low and behold I have a nice strong pilot arc shooting out of my pt31 torch. My problem now is I still don't have the punch to cut anything. Anybody?
Reply:Well I found the problem. I decided since I could not see anything physically wrong that I should start pulling it apart and double checking all the connections. I disconnected all the plastic molex plugs and left the single wires with spades since I didn't want to deal with figure out where they go back on. When unfolded the board out of the way to see the transformer, one of those single spades popped off. I though I must have pulled it off by moving the board but once reinstalled it wasn't coming off on its own. My only conclusion was that the wire was removed in the past for whatever reason and then the wire was hooked up with the spade on the board going between the blue plastic insulation and the terminal and it just wouldn't carry the current to cut. Once I hooked this wire up, it cuts sheet metal like butter!
Reply:Got to love it when a plan comes together!Happy cutting!Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:raven154 or anyone else. I have a quick cut 2000 I am trying to find consumables for. After looking for a few hours I'm thinking I should give up and try to adapt a pt-31 torch to it. There are lots of them on ebay. I have questions though and I'm looking for answers. Any help?
Reply:Originally Posted by raven154Well just for giggles I shot miller an email and they actually have a few torches left. But they want $849 for them. You would think they would want to liquidate their old stock like that but I guess not. Googled the part number and weld fabulous listed that part number with the description of 15'  ATP-1000 torch for $2.50. So including shipping it was $10. Figured it was worth a shot to find out if its actually the torch and lead lol Hopefully I'll find something to make this thing work. I know its small and out dated but it sucks to have to throw it away just because a person can't find a torch for it.
Reply:Reading further from Raven154 it says he got his to work with a pt-31 torch but I'm not sure if he replaced the whole umbilical cord with the torch or just the head. I hate to just junk this machine. I cut mostly sheet metal and it would work fine for me.