SA200 Brush Replacement

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Been working on and off over the last few weeks after work helping an SA200 owner get his machine back up and running that hasn't since before Hurricane Rita (9/05) when it just quit welding one day.It has taken a while to get to where we are as the unit is outside so rainy nights were out and other priorities and interuptions have resulted in progress being slow but long story short - go through carburetor first night, owner cleaned fuel tank after that, then I got the mag sparking followed by a shower of rust particles from the exaust when she fired up and purred like a kitten.Then on to the exciter/generator where it became pretty obvious why it just quit welding.  Stuck and worn out main generator brushes.  Cleaned the rheostat and coarse current selector and after cleaning the exciter commutator, brushes and connections, a flashing got us 110vdc exciter output.  Confirmed correct shunt coil resistance of 41 ohms but the main generator brushes just weren't going to allow the unit to weld.That brings us to this morning when I picked up a set of main brushes from my LWS and a lower radiator hose from O'Reilly Auto (owner noticed the alternator belt wore through the existing one last night).  After a bit we had the new brushes in, leads hooked up, ignition switch on and pushed the start button.  Handed the electrode holder to the owner and we had sparkles!  Looked up to see a BIG smile on his face and we went to grab some more rod!Sorry I wasn't able to get any pictures of everything we did but I did bring the old brushes home and you'll see what I mean about knowing what was wrong.  The REEEALLY bad ones where at 4:30 and 10:30 positions (-) and the stuck ones at 1:30 and 7:30 (+).  Rusty brush holder ends were to blame for the stuck brushes that were obviously arcing when it was welding before it quit.Negative brushes on the left, positve on the right.Stuck positive. . .. . .and worn out negative.Wish I had more photos.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Damn I guess!! Rita ain't what caused that? Those are wore slam out.Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.                                         -Cree Indian ProverbSA 200 LincolnVictor Torches
Reply:Id say he got his moneys worth outta those brushes  nothin finer than a pipelinerMy vintage equipment 1957 Lincoln sa 2001980's Lincoln 225 AC1952 F-2 ford truck1957 F-250 ford truck
Reply:Originally Posted by gizzardgutzDamn I guess!! Rita ain't what caused that? Those are wore slam out.
Reply:I was in Lafayette, LA  for Katrina and Rita both. Back to back one month apart. Lafayette was BETWEEN them! All I lost (besides elec, etc.) was an shed full of stuff. Lucky. We got lots of wind and rain from both but damage wasn't too bad. Miss coast, N'awlins, Lake Charles and even Orange got the brunt. Made a lot of money fixing platforms in the Gulf that were damged. too!Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.                                         -Cree Indian ProverbSA 200 LincolnVictor Torches
Reply:Originally Posted by gizzardgutz. . .and even Orange got the brunt.
Reply:Stopped in to see the gentleman tonight on my way home from work as I saw he was working on his dual axle trailer he was waiting on getting the welder running again.  He, his son and grandson were replacing the top angle rail on the trailer that had gotten damaged in several areas over the years.  They had been running the unit for a couple hours which was doing a good job but the inline fuel filter (in addition to the sediment bowl) was plugged enough it was starving for fuel and would shut down so we pulled it out so he could finish up.  Good to see it back in action and burning rods.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!