The wrong polarity

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Well I was working on a project the other day of outside corner joint on .250" with 1/8" 7018 with ole faithful, ranger 250. Got everything ready for 24" of weld and went at it and right away I noticed to myself hey this ain't right, loud ac sound , arc doing funny stuff and not just laying in there  like it should. A monkey could weld blind folded with a 7018 so I am seriously scratching my head. I go up on the amps to 120 and back down to 100 got get some 3/32" same thing check my ground and change the dig setting with no result I want. Then the lightbulb moment happens and I walk back to the truck and look to see I am sure nuff running dcen instead of dcep. I feel really dumb for a few seconds and think wow I have not done this in a while...... Swapped the leads went back to work with the bacon sizzling sound and that nice buttery soft sweet laying arc. Oh ya y'all can laugh because I know I'm not the only one who has had to apologize to my machine for thinking so awfull of it and repent for the evil words I mentally spoke to it lol.Ranger 250 thick stuffHobart Handler 140 not thick stuffthe pane and oxy setup
Reply:Hello KineticWeldingServic, it happens way more than most folks might think. One of the easiest ways for this to occur is when you have one operator that has used a machine for running self-shielded wire and when they are done they simply undo the leads to the feeder. The next person comes along and goes to do some stick welding and Wah Lah you have the situation that you had. Don't fret too much, at least the sound and performance of the arc got you on the correct track. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Yes Allen I'm sure it happens a lot in big shops with multiple operators or in the field when tig'n and stickin off the same source. I have to admit I have tried to tig weld with forgetting to swap it over to dcen that was another head scratch lightbulb moment. Hard learned lessons stay with you the longest like resharpining tungsten and have to go back over ten inches of stick weld.Ranger 250 thick stuffHobart Handler 140 not thick stuffthe pane and oxy setup