Tig issues Invertec v250-s

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This machine is almost as good as my Airco for stick (minor edge to the old dinosaur).Tried it for tig with my new SSC foot control and starting the arc SUCKS! It takes 6-8 tries with the touch start to establish an arc each time.Amps 140+, DCENTungsten thoriated 3/32, freshly sharpened7 gas lensArgon 16 cfhSwitch to GTAWSwitch to remote1/8" mild steel, ground shinyGot irritated after a while and set the machine to "SMAW soft" with arc force and hot start to zero.Scratch start lights the arc perfect that way.  Much much better than the touch start the machine is supposed to use.Anyone else find this to be an issue?Seemed to weld the same set on "GTAW" or "SMAW soft" so it's basically the arc starting that's irritating me.Btw, I swapped the torch parts and tungsten to the Airco, and it performed perfect as usual - nicer arc too If anyone has any ideas I thank you in advance Here is the panel and directions.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:Did you try it on liftarc without the remote? My Maxstar seems to start better than my XMt does. It also seens to take longer to start with the remote hooked up. I also noticed that having a real good ground helps with the start.Miller xmt304,  Miller S22 p12, Miier Maxstar SD, Miller 252 w 30A, Miller super32p12, Lincoln Ranger 9, Thermal Arc 181I with spoolgun, Hypertherm 10000 ,Smith torches. Esab 161lts miniarc.
Reply:Originally Posted by M J DDid you try it on liftarc without the remote? My Maxstar seems to start better than my XMt does. It also seens to take longer to start with the remote hooked up. I also noticed that having a real good ground helps with the start.
Reply:The lift arc thing uses such a low voltage to sense the arc that just a little resistance can screw it up. When mine is working right I see just a tiny spark which wont usally darken the hood then about asecond later the arc will start.Miller xmt304,  Miller S22 p12, Miier Maxstar SD, Miller 252 w 30A, Miller super32p12, Lincoln Ranger 9, Thermal Arc 181I with spoolgun, Hypertherm 10000 ,Smith torches. Esab 161lts miniarc.
Reply:How high is your Hot Start?I remember when DJ(SouthPaw) came for a visit with his Invertec. It also had a hard time starting. Perhaps he has a solution.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Hmmm, so if I were a patient man, and waited that second, I may have had an arc start...if I were patient I'll try again tomorrow after cleaning everything again.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:Originally Posted by shovelonHow high is your Hot Start?I remember when DJ(SouthPaw) came for a visit with his Invertec. It also had a hard time starting. Perhaps he has a solution.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveDoes hot start function when in tig mode? It was still on 3.5 from when I was running 7018.When I went to scratch start in stick mode, I turned hot start and arc force to zero and it worked good ...but I should not have to tig weld in stick mode right?
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonMy ThermalArc certainly is affected by hot start. I can set it low and it will never light up. Try it.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveDoes hot start function when in tig mode? It was still on 3.5 from when I was running 7018.When I went to scratch start in stick mode, I turned hot start and arc force to zero and it worked good ...but I should not have to tig weld in stick mode right?Edit: I checked the manual again, the way it's written the hot start is active just during SMAW
Reply:Hot start with tig....Not bad,I'll have to try it.~JohnJust 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:Originally Posted by AKweldshopHot start with tig....Not bad,I'll have to try it.~John
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveUnfortunately the invertec won't work without a remote or a start/stop switch.I ground a clean spot under the metal and a clean spot for the ground to hook on the table.But I can sure check grounding again. Maybe the cable ends need attention?It sure scratch started nice in stick mode though
Reply:Originally Posted by copeCheck the connections at both ends of the work cable.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveThe ground clamp looks pretty ratty, was planning to replace it today with a brass one I have in my bin.
Reply:Originally Posted by copeI have found loose connections at the plug and ground clamp on my Miller Model 88 AC machine.  I don't know how or why they get loose, but the affect the ground and heat up the cable.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveI took the end out of the ground clamp and cleaned where it contacts the base metal.I cut off the end of the wire and crimped on a new lug.Works fine now, barely a tap and the arc will start  The machine end was clean on both cables.It stick welded fine and scratch start tig fine so I figured ground must have been good - incorrect.I tried the hot start just to be sure, it is not in use when set to tig mode.Thanks for the help guys Btw, is the arc supposed to make noise on an inverter?  On my Airco it sounds different, quieter in a way.This one kind of "whistles" for lack of a better term
Reply:Yeah, the arc makes a funny whistling noise up to about 170 amps, then it's quiet again.At lower amps its almost a squeaking noise, pretty weird.But this machine never had any tig use - only stick by the original owner - dont know if that would matter since inverters are kind of electrical magic to me 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:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveYeah, the arc makes a funny whistling noise up to about 170 amps, then it's quiet again.At lower amps its almost a squeaking noise, pretty weird.But this machine never had any tig use - only stick by the original owner - dont know if that would matter since inverters are kind of electrical magic to me
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirmyPugGlad you got it fixed My Maxstar has a strange sound to the arc also, kind of a high pitched squeal.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveGlad it's not just me - thought maybe I was crazy
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirmyPugIf you think you are crazy.. You probably are I never noticed the noise from the XMT304 machines I used, but it was loud in that shop. I haven't used enough inverters to say if its rare or common for them to have a strange sounding arc.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveEdit: I checked the manual again, the way it's written the hot start is active just during SMAW
Reply:Originally Posted by InsanerideI could be wrong but, my 250S works like this :SMAW soft for Hot Start only. No Arc ForceGTAW for lift arc only(needs a switch for lift arc to work thru remote or K870) and no hot start or arc force in this mode.SMAW crisp for Arc Force only. No Hot StartI dont use/need  SOFT Hot start. Instead, I use CRISP with Arc Force at 5.5 for 6010 and 7018.I mentioned in your first 250S thread that Hot Start may be good for scratch start TIG. Thats what I used before I made a remote.As far as GTAW, my lift arc works just fine but then I  never have had Hi Frequency.Just touch tungsten to work, step on the remote and lift. Good luck with it.
Reply:Gotta love those Invertecs!!!Was using mine a bunch last night....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 2016-2024Good to hear you got it working the way it should.  Its amazing how a little resistance will screw up a low voltage circuit.Miller xmt304,  Miller S22 p12, Miier Maxstar SD, Miller 252 w 30A, Miller super32p12, Lincoln Ranger 9, Thermal Arc 181I with spoolgun, Hypertherm 10000 ,Smith torches. Esab 161lts miniarc.
Reply:Originally Posted by M J DGood to hear you got it working the way it should.  Its amazing how a little resistance will screw up a low voltage circuit.