Whats wrong? Video Included...

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Ok.So I bought this Accurate Tools welder over the summer, I know, its low end and you get what you pay for.BUT, it worked great for about a month or so and I had no issues what so ever. But after that month I had an issue where I started the welder up, and when I tried to arc it, it did something weird. The arc would start, then flicker, then stop. And when I hit the trigger again, it would do nothing. Then the welder will power down and seem to shut off. However, after about a 10 second wait, it would try to start back up, but then power right back down and remain off. If i turn the welder off, then back on, nothing will happen. I have to go to the breaker box, shut the breaker off and wait a second or two, flip the beaker back on and THEN the welder will turn on when I hit its switch.However, this whole process will just happen again. After anywhere from 3-15 trys of this process, it will work and work great. I though that maybe something was bad electrically / ground wise at my camp, but now the exact same thing is happening at my house.Does any one know what could be wrong????(Just as the video ends, the welder is powering back up, just to shut off again as described above)
Reply:I don't repair welders for a living, but the symptoms seem consistent with either a logic board or power supply problem.  The fact that you have to completely power it down to get it to reset implies that there is an electronic (circuit board) issue.  The welder must have some sort of logic board that controls everything.  I have never heard of that brand, so I guess, unless you are an electronics technician, you are going to need to find an expert willing to work on it.Miller Syncrowave 350Millermatic 252/ 30A spoolgunMiller Bobcat 225g w/ 3545 spoolgunLincoln PowerArc4000Lincoln 175 Mig  Lincoln 135 Mig Everlast 250EX TigCentury ac/dc 230 amp stickVictor O/AHypertherm 1000 plasma
Reply:Originally Posted by pancakeshakeOk.So I bought this Accurate Tools welder over the summer, I know, its low end and you get what you pay for.BUT, .....
Reply:Could it be a grounding problem?I have a steak about 3ft. in length pounded into the ground right outside the window nearest the welder. Has a copper wire about 2mm in diameter from the pipe to the welder. Not sure if thats the issue, but if it is, how should it be properly grounded if mine is wrong.Also, Is there anyone on the site here that works on these machines?Accurate Tools ATPW522
Reply:Originally Posted by pancakeshakeCould it be a grounding problem?I have a steak about 3ft. in length pounded into the ground right outside the window nearest the welder. Has a copper wire about 2mm in diameter from the pipe to the welder. Not sure if thats the issue, but if it is, how should it be properly grounded if mine is wrong.
Reply:Another china POS bites the dust, should start a sticky on these cases for those who jump up and support them and say they don't hear of a lot of them going bad."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:Damn.Well, if I am able to be this POS warrantied or replaced, what do people think of the Eastwood Tig 200 AC/DC welder?I am a college student on a budget. They seem to be pretty nice, and are backed by a legit company with a 3 year warranty.Thanks guys!
Reply:If they are backed by a legit company with 3 years warranty I'd try them out if you're on a budjet, but expect to not have a machine for a while if something goes wrong.You might have an electronic repair company around your area, that deals with electronic devices, but it might cost you as much as the machine to repair.Good luck
Reply:Rather than asking here, you'd better off using your favorite web search engine to search and see what people that actually have one think about it.Last edited by razer; 11-24-2011 at 11:30 AM."Great spirits have always encountered violent oppostion from mediocre minds."  --  Albert Einstein
Reply:So I bought this Accurate Tools welder over the summer, I know, its low end and you get what you pay for  Why would you go for another off brand, even on a budget you can get top brand used equipment that is more familiar to the members here if something is amiss, and parts are usually readily available and it also welds very well when up to speed. Each his own but the top 2 or 3 have proven products."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:Buy a used quality brand machine.  If the POS you bough was any good, no one would be paying triple foe the quality stuff. If you add up all the money you'll spend on the crap tools, you're saving nothing.  If your on a budget, look at Thermal Arc brand.  They're a good quality brand with god support and generally command less of a price used than a Miller or Lincoln.  That said, if you ever want to sell it, expect a bit less.  You could buy a TA 181 fabricator with the TIG option for around $900 brand new.  You'll be able to tig, mig and stick with the unit.  When and if you're ready to step up to aluminum, you'll likely be able to get more than half your cash back if you keep it in nice shape.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:college student on a budget, I understand.  I am a grown adult with a family on a budget.  It doesn't chance much.  Just more bills and more dependents.  Anyhow, you need to buy a quality machine.  that doesn't equate to a new machine.  save your money and buy a used quality machine.
Reply:Real simple test.  If you are contempating buying a welder, try seeing how hard it is to get parts.  Maybe see if you can even order something like a back cover (I'm not talking about consumables).  How about a new torch, power switch etc.I would also suggest that since you are on a budget, when you buy tools you also make sure they will sell the parts directly to you and not require you to go through a 'authorized repair facility' unless of course they are paying for the repair.In the case of your machine, it sounds like some sort of protection circuit is kicking in - perhaps as simple as a broken temperature sensor.  It tells the logic board that you are 'overheating' and it shutsdown.  Now, it could be a bad sensor, or it could be a bad internal ground or other connection that makes it act this way.  Good luck finding the issue.BTW, Eastwood has never been known to be cheap.  They have a lot of tools and materials in one place and a good support structure to back it, but 'cheap' has never been associated with them.  I'm not faulting them for it, you pay the premium to get premium support (including purchase support, know how etc., and service should you need it).BBTW, If I were a college student, I would keep my eye on Craigslist and talk with my parents about what Santa could do financially.  Also be realistic.  Depending on your course load and type of courses you have to give serious thought about putting off investing in tools until after college.  While you are in college, why not see what the college itself has.  Some colleges have auto shops, machine shops, wood shops etc. that are available to students.  I know some engineering schools also participate and build stuff for various projects.  That sometimes means welding.  Most colleges also try to make money by hosting startup companies.  Same deal, the startups need to build stuff and more importantly they typically have to hire students to do it (well, at least help).  Ask your professors if they know of a company or project that needs your kind of help.Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:Quick question:    Whats the input voltage on the machine?  Does it have a cheapskate adaptation to run 115 when its a 220 machine?   I had a buddy who couldn't figure out why his machine would not work and it was the outlet power was 115 when they told him it was 220.  Ended up needing a new board.