Hobart Stickmate quit welding on AC

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My Stickmate wont strike a arc on AC, was welding something the other day and toward the end of weld job stopped for a minute, went back and tried to restart weld and it wouldnt strike no matter what I did, checked ground, cleaned rod tip off etc. and it still wouldnt work... turned off switched to DC and worked fine... went to weld again today and tried AC again just to see if it would go and still would not work, any ideas what could be causing this, I tried it on the hi and low AC settings and still nothing. Welded it up on DC.
Reply:I don't know the welder at all, but sounds like a switch issue. On all the welders I've seen the dc starts as ac, then gets rectified, so it's probably just the main contacts not making in the ac mode (Unless this is an inverter welder, not a scr or magamp based welder).Chay
Reply:I have that welder and have spent a bunch of time inside of it as of late. It is a transformer, a rectifier and a large inductor/filter (basically half a transformer). there is not much to break in there. If it works in DC, then the transformer, inductor and rectifier are all working. Only thing it can be is the selector switch or one of the leads running to/from it. unplug it and open it up. it is a pretty simple machine really. UNPLUG IT FIRST.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Ill second that I've never heard of the "AC" mode going out. It's usually the DC diodes that go out, while the AC mode will continue to work. I'm guessing as others suggested, it will probably be a simple fix once you take a look inside. Something came loose like a contact screw or cable on the selector switch I'll bet. Please keep us updated with what you find out. "Hey I didn't come to look and learn, I came to turn and burn.... If I can't light up, I'm gonna light out!"-JodyIdealarc 250 "Fatman"MM 252MM 211 "Little boy" Victor Torches
Reply:Thanks wont get a chance to look at it until Sun-Mon, will let you guys know if I find out whats up..
Reply:Not that it applies to your question, but I'm curious what you're using AC for? I had that welder and don't think I hardly ever used AC except when I couldn't fix arc blow once or twice.
Reply:Kelvin, used it to weld some legs on grates for a firepit grill and for making a hose hanger for my garden hose...since trying DC I like the way it welds better.
Reply:Originally Posted by KelvinNot that it applies to your question, but I'm curious what you're using AC for? I had that welder and don't think I hardly ever used AC except when I couldn't fix arc blow once or twice.
Reply:I prefer DC for all stick welding.  Mind you, the only rods I run are 6010 and 7018 with the occasional stainless and cast iron rod.Regardless, my machine never gets switched to AC weld current.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720