Powermig 360MP/spool gun issues

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I recently bought this Powermig 360MP with a Magnum Pro 250lx because I have been getting more aluminum jobs.  I decided on the spool gun because the majority of my work is in steel, and I thought it would be more of a hassle to switch between a push-pull setup and the regular gun.  The machine has hot start and crater fill settings in the programming for the spool gun, but I cannot get these features working.  They are there in the regular MIG mode, and work.  I have calibrated the spool gun, reset the machine, but these features do not work.  I even tried the push pull mode with the spool gun and drive rollers disconnected, and it does not work.  Lincoln has been no help, ie I can't get ahold of engineering, nor will they return a phone call.Does anyone have this machine combo that would be able to test the settings?  Or if you have the spool gun, could I borrow it. I would also be willing to drive my machine to your shop on a weekend, or any day really, to test it, if you're within driving distance of Southeast Pennsylvania.  I'm at my wits end.  ThanksMatt
Reply:According to the chart on page B-6 in the owner's manual. Hot start is not available for mig welding. Stick only. Use run in and the start mode to control the arc start.But if the start timer is set to long the crater fill might not work.when programming. start with run in and crater fill and start turned off.Then pick only one function to adjust. make only small changes. Make a chart on paper to keep track of the changes you have made. also make sure you do not lift the spoolgun up. until the arc stops. for proper crater fill and burn back the gun needs to be kept at weld height until the arc and gas flow stops.Have one in the shop right now, but can't play with it until the repair parts arrive.It was hit by a fork lift and damaged.
Reply:The magnum pro 250lx wirespeed is adjusted at the gun only, correct? If so, that's the reason why hot start/crater fill don't work. Those functions need a digital wirefeeder to speed up/slow down along with the power source, since those functions are basically higher/lower amps than normal welding - therefore higher/lower wire speed.I might be wrong, it's just my initial thought. This spool gun is marketed as fitting the Power MIG 260, which from a quick look at the operator manual, doesn't have hot start/crater fill.Can you get away with using a regular whip with a liner set up for aluminium? I do...Last edited by Munkul; 05-24-2021 at 12:17 PM.Murphy's Golden Rule: Whoever has the gold, makes the rules.
Reply:CCAWG, thanks for your help.  I meant the start feature.  I have been dialing this thing in on Aluminum, and am getting close.  Just wish I could use those advanced features with the spool gunMunkul, that makes sense.  Coincidentally, Lincoln got back to me today to say no dice.  I inquired further about any spool gun or push pull setup that could use these features, and was also told no.  It stinks, but at least I know my equipment is running fine.Yes, I have a 16 lb roll of .035 5356 and the drive rollers for it.  I tried it through a regular liner, 15' whip, and it was ok, but of course very contaminated.  I just got in a teflon liner, so when I can get another back end for another whip I have, I will be trying that out as well.  It doesn't make sense to me that the features show up when they can't be used, as every program changes other features, such as pinch, arc control, frequency, etc.  But maybe, just maybe, there is a spool gun that can take advantage of them.Either way, it's a bad-a** machine, and I'm digging the pulse on steel.  I can see it taking me forever to completely dial everything in, and then it will be even better!Thanks again
Reply:I've just upgraded to a newer machine myself - from an older Miller XMT and optima pulser, to a Lorch Saprom S3. The difference that hot start and crater fill makes to the welds is really impressive. I wouldn't go back to MIGing aluminium without these features now.At work a few years back we pushed 1.2mm pure grade aluminium through a 4m whip and watercooled gun, at 260 amps for some long seams. It ran great, even with a loose knot tied in the whip. If you can feed pure, soft aluminium like that, you can feed anything

Key to the setup was a perfectly trimmed carbon-teflon liner, the feed rollers set to minimum pressure, and a 1.4mm tip.Murphy's Golden Rule: Whoever has the gold, makes the rules.