Noob trying to set up new tig machine

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Ok guys, please go easy on me here.....Just bought a new to me 1994 vintage Miller Synchrowave 250 CC machine from an online auction.  It had nothing with it other than the metal style pedal. I bought a Miller/Weld Tech W-20 (W-250) water cooled torch, 25' of 0 ground cable and clamp with lug (which I soldered the wire to before I hooked it up to the negative post) and the big brass fitting that connects to the positive post to  plum the torch to. Hooked up the gas and all the lines. Rigged up a water supply with filter and return line to an from the sink in the shop for now. This is my first tig machine.  Using 3/32" 2% throated tungsten, attempted to get the argon flow meter to read between 15-20, but could not get the pebble to register in the glass tube. Hooked up to a 220V outlet that comes from a 50 amp breaker.  For the life of me, I could not get an arc to stay anywhere near steady.  To make maters worse, I was shocked twice, once when I attempted to unplug the unit from the outlet (with switch on machine off)and the other time when I touched the ground clamp and steel table at the same time (also with power switch off).Below are two pics, one of the piece I attempted to strike an arc on and the other of the settings on the machine.  Can any of you advise what the hell I am doing wrong???  Is it the machine, the operator, other??????Thanks in advance for any guidance.Watty Attached Images
Reply:You are not getting any gas. You need to check your argon supply, make sure the gas is turned on, tank not empty, regulator settings, etc. If the ball in the glass tube isn't going up, then you are likely out of gas.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:To begin with you have the torch and ground clamp hooked up backwards.  The ground clamp goes to the Positive terminal.  The torch goes to the Negative.  This is called DC Electrode Negative (DCEN, or DCSP--"Straight Polarity").Second you can't weld without argon flowing.  TIG stands for Tungsten INERT GAS.  That inert gas being argon.  It is necessary to be 100% sure you have argon flowing out of the torch at the proper rate without any leaks what so ever.  That is why your "attempts" look the way they do.Fix this and you'll have a much better starting point.Last edited by Oscar; 06-21-2014 at 11:13 PM. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:Attached is a photo of how I have it wired up.  Is it indeed backwards?  If so, will this also explain why the gas is not registering in the flow meter on the bottle?
Reply:To answer the gas question, I have no gas leaks and could not hear the gas coming from the torch when I stepped on the pedal not could I see the flow meter register, which of course I thought was odd also.  If I do have the torch and ground leads hooked up backwards, will I then be able to get the gas to flow (assuming the valves are on of course0?
Reply:Oscar,Upon viewing the pic below of the set up, is it, indeed hooked up backwards? Also how can I tell if I have argon flowing? Step on the pedal and hold the torch to the ear?Thanks for the advice,Watty
Reply:I don't have that machine, and I don't see any + or - markings.  I'm going based on your description.  If your initial description is correct, then the torch/ground are indeed hooked up backwards.  Like was said, you can either listen for a click or check the torch.  On most any setup, you can hear the argon by simply holding the torch close to you---no need to put it right next to your ear.  Have you tried unhooking the regulator and lightly cracking open the valve?  Better yet, how many psi does the tank gauge read? I have no gas leaks and could not hear the gas coming from the torch
Reply:Watty,I had that exact machine.  The torch is on the correct terminal.Open the left side of the machine (as viewed from the rear).  The feed wire should go in that side.  There are voltage jumpers in there.  Make sure you're setup for 230 volts.  You should hear gas flowing from the torch when you hit the pedal.  If you're gonna hold the torch to your ear, PUT THE AMPS ON ZERO AND TURN THE HIGH FREQUENCY OFF.  Look up the owners manual at Millerwelds.com.  Make sure it's wired correctly.  That's a single phase only machine, so it's tough to mess up. That's a great machine.  You're not getting gas flow though.  You don't have a valve on your torch, do you?Post more pics of the setup.Last edited by Drf255; 06-22-2014 at 05:17 AM.
Reply:Hey Watty. I have that same machine and it is a great welder. Here is a thread that might help you, especially the setup sheet link near the bottom. http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...d-help-with-HFBurt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:"25' of 0 ground cable and clamp with lug (which I soldered the wire to before I hooked it up to the negative post)"Once you sort out the Argon issue, this solder joint is going to eventually cause problems.
Reply:simple things first; take the flowmeter off the tank and crack the valve. the tank could be empty or something wrong with the regulator.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Look at this.Get a manual and read it!
Reply:I had a very similar problem with my syncro 250 at work. Turned out the hose melted coming from the gas solenoid on a hot terminal over time. Don't ask me how or why, but the machine was filling up with argon and staying charged. Every time I hit the foot pedal then touched the machine I would get zapped. And when I stepped on the pedal I can hear the machine crackling on the inside. Take the cover off and check your hose. I couldn't believe myself that a melted argon hose would cause such a problem. I'm far from a electrician, but not a stranger to it and still to this day I scratch my head on why the machine would crackle and stay charged from a internal argon leak.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749I would go back to the place that sold you the accessories and ask them if they know of someone competent who can come set your machine upWay too many variables here and the fact you're getting shocked off the plug and ground indicates something is very wrong. The gas solenoid should be the least of your worries right now. As I have already said a couple of times, if you're getting shocked from the case of the machine, etc YES, you have live power going to ground. Sort that first. Then worry about the rest. If you don't know electrical STOP and call someone who does.This is just a guessing game at this point. I don't like guessing games when it comes to electricity.Get someone competent to look at it. It would be wise.Good luck
Reply:The hose I was referring to Steve is the internal one that comes from the lower right hand side of the back of the machine where the bottle gets hooked too. Yeah that was strange for sure, and the machine got sent out TWICE! Me and my partner found it after we had the covers off about five times and two months later. The company they sent it to for repair work should fire all there tech guys. First time back they sent it with a new foot pedal, second time back they sent it with a new torch, third time back we found it and fixed it with a 25cent hose lol.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Ok. I had a friend of mine who is well versed with welding come over and help.  First, I had the plug wired wrong with the ground going to the hot.  Second, the internal wires where the jumpers are were set for 480.  Problems solved, gas flows well and it lays down nice beads.  Thanks to all for the input!Watty
Reply:Originally Posted by wattyOk. I had a friend of mine who is well versed with welding come over and help.  First, I had the plug wired wrong with the ground going to the hot.  Second, the internal wires where the jumpers are were set for 480.  Problems solved, gas flows well and it lays down nice beads.  Thanks to all for the input!Watty