Bought a EWM TIG 300 DC FWZ, can't make it work

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So, I recently bought this welder. From what I've heard from people it's a great DC machine. However, I've never used anything else than MIG, and I cannot get this working.This is a video of it "running";https://vid.me/iEHpAs you can see, the spark is absolutely bismal. It doesn't matter if I run it at 70 or 300 amps, that's all I get. I've tried all the different controls I can think of, but I can't get it to work. It doesn't help that I don't know what the controls do...Some pics of the machine:http://imgur.com/a/A19kCAnother problem, other than the horrible spark that does nothing, is that the electricity seems to shut off every five seconds or so. You can see that in the video, it's not me letting go.Any ideas? Is the machine broken, or could it be something else?Also, what do all the knobs and stuff mean? I know about the upslope and downslope, but that's pretty much it.Last edited by Weld6151; 10-31-2015 at 08:32 AM.
Reply:It is a three phase machine. I take it you do not live in the US?In some countries, three phase is available in residential areas. I don't know what you are running it on but according to the picture of the input tag, it's three phase ~3 400 volt. Input power.Besides that, if you are running it on the correct power, I couldn't tell you.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749It is a three phase machine. I take it you do not live in the US?In some countries, three phase is available in residential areas. I don't know what you are running it on but according to the picture of the input tag, it's three phase ~3 400 volt. Input power.Besides that, if you are running it on the correct power, I couldn't tell you.
Reply:It's hard to say. I don't know anything about that specific machine, but we have had guys post questions like this here and didn't know something like this was three phase.Try setting the far left knob to the stick welding icon, which would be all the way to the left if you turn it. The slope controls are for using 2 or 4 T control of welding current. The same knob I just mentioned can be clicked to the right to set the machine for remote operation with a pedal, 2 or 4 T control.Your torch likely has a remote control on it and either a rotary knob or button. When using the slope adjustments (2 or 4 T) you can press the remote one or two times and the machine will automatically ramp up to the preset welding current (how much heat you set the machine for) and with another click, ramp the current back down and then shut off. These settings are used in production jobs where you might have to make the same weld many times in a row. I would try stick welding with the machine to see if it works that way. I'm not entirely sure what the two silver toggle switches control, it looks like remote and panel and possibly control over 2 or 4 T settings. It could be for high frequency too.I can't help with that I'm afraid. But, if you try to stick weld with it you're going to know right away if it works.It also it looks to me like you do not have the ground (earth) cable attached to the workpiece you are trying to weld. It looks that way from the video anyways.Hope this helps a little.Last edited by 7A749; 10-31-2015 at 09:17 AM.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Doesn't look like you are getting any current. Only the High frequency start.  Are you using the torch button or pedal?  If pedal you need to turn selector one position to the left from the pic.I'd this your machine brand or is it an eBay knock off?   https://www.ewm-group.com/en.htmlLast edited by soutthpaw; 10-31-2015 at 09:37 AM.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I bet this is a high quality machine over there DJ. It sure looks it from the pix.I'm thinking no current too. Like the ground isn't firmly attached.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749I bet this is a high quality machine over there DJ. It sure looks it from the pix.I'm thinking no current too. Like the ground isn't firmly attached.
Reply:That euro panel labeling is pretty confusing if you aren't used to it. The data tags can really screw you up if you don't know what the icons mean in the little boxes I'm thinking ground isn't connected properly, or a panel setting isn't on the correct process. Hard to say without being in front of it.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:To all of you that mentioned the ground - THANK YOU! I focused on the ground, and after finding no problems with the cord or the clamp I thought I'd test putting it on positive instead of negative... I had no hopes of it working, so I didn't use my helmet or anything. Well, it pretty much decided to go plasma cutter on my butt at 140 amps... http://i.imgur.com/UMn2IdD.jpgI've opened up the side, and the earth connection seems nice and clean, so I can't really tell what's wrong. Perhaps I must turn it in for a repair, which I really didn't want to, since it's freaking huge.
Reply:140 amps is way too hot. Thats why it blew a hole. Try turning it down to 40-50 amps
Reply:Well, you got output on reverse polarity. switch it back and see if it does anything now. I would still try to stick weld with it.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Yeah I know 140 is way too much for this thickness. It was left that way from before with DCEN when I tried turning all the knobs. I wasn't expecting anything to happen, so I was quite surprised. That's why the amperage was so high.I tried switching back and forth a couple of times. DCEP worked every time, and I never got DCEN to work. Which makes me think that something inside the machine is broken. The earth does not connect to the same board, unfortunately.I haven't got an electrode holder so I can't stick weld, otherwise I'd try it out. Might be able to borrow one from a friend during the week, I'll try to get a hold of him.