Plasma cutter help

admin

I recently inherited some good welding and cutting tools from my father, he passed away but left me all his tools which I am very grateful for. I have been around welding all my life and most of my knowledge comes from my father. I can tig ang mig pretty decent which is good because he left me a miller dynasty 200 dx:-). My problem is he also left me a miller spectrum 2050 and for the life of me I can't get it to work. I know my father used it a lot but I never learned how from him. I know it's pretty straight forward but I don't know if there is a problem with the tool or if I am the tool.  Here's what I have it connected to: a 240 volt dryer outlet which works on my 240 volt welder, air compressor is a dewalt emglo set at 100 psi, an air filter on the wall and also a clean filter at the back of the cutter. The pressure on the machine is set at 80 psi.   Here's what happens when I try to use it, first the pressure light comes on which should mean low pressure as I said the pressure is set high at comp and machine. When I lift the trigger safety and depress the trigger all the way in the air doesn't come out it stops and no arc, I thought the air should start when I press the trigger in not stop, but as I said I'm new to this. When I let the trigger go the air stays on for a few seconds like its supposed to but if I press the trigger all the way again the air goes off. The power light is on and the pressure warning light is on but no ready light. What am I doing wrong or is it a problem with the machine. I know it worked when my father used it so I'm assuming its something on my side of it. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and since you guys are very knowledgable on this board I hope you can help me out, I'd love to start learning to use this thing right.Last edited by Paweld; 02-14-2014 at 08:09 PM.
Reply:First thing to check is the safety cap/nozzle. Make sure it's not too tight or too loose. There should be safety pins on there that get depressed when the cap is on.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Do you have the correct consumables in the torch. There should be a chart on top of the machine and a smaller one in the storage compartment on the left rear looking from the front. I had this happen before and I had a wrong combination of tips and electrode.Miller xmt304,  Miller S22 p12, Miier Maxstar SD, Miller 252 w 30A, Miller super32p12, Lincoln Ranger 9, Thermal Arc 181I with spoolgun, Hypertherm 10000 ,Smith torches. Esab 161lts miniarc.
Reply:As they said, something not right around the torch, the TA at work will do the same thing if the consumables aren't set up right.....Mike
Reply:Check the torch as above, but also check for restrictions in the air lines.  Some machines have internal filters that can only be accessed by pulling the wrapper off the machine.  Not sure if yours does or not.  I've had issues with my PM45 secondary to my external filter being clogged.  PSI reads correctly until there is flow, then it can keep up.  You should post your question on Millerwelds.com as well. Sorry about your pops.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Besides the suggestions with the consumables, I'm wondering if it could be as simple as a mud dauber making it's home in the open end of the air connection if the machine sat unattached for some time. Around me anything around our open shop would almost always attract mud daubers if you weren't careful..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Go on the Miller site and download the manual.
Reply:Thank you for all the quick responses. Walker, I did look at the manual but it does not go into specifics of troubleshooting that I would like. I checked out the insect situation and all is clear, the inline filters are all new just so I could rule them out and I don't believe there is one in the unit, just the filter inline at the back of the machine. The consumables are all miller specs and I have an extended tip in now. Still can't make an arc even off the metal, shouldn't there be an arc when I press the trigger whether I'm at the metal or not. I'm assuming the voltage is ok because the unit compensates for the in voltage which is 240 single phase and runs my miller dynasty 200 just fine. I too believe the problem to be in the torch but nit certain and I'd hate to spend hundreds on a new one and find that's not the problem. Is it normal when you press the trigger all the way and have the air flow stop? I will try posting on the miller website but I was hoping by dumb luck someone on here has one of thee units and has experienced the same issue. Thanks again
Reply:Paweld, are you just holding the torch in the air while pulling the trigger, without getting the nozzle close to a piece of metal with the work clamp (ground) attached?  I'm wondering if because the machine is not sensing a "closed" circuit, that maybe that's why it's not working.  Try putting the nozzle to a test piece of steel that you're going to cut with while the ground clamp is attached to the piece (thus completing the electrical circuit when the trigger is pulled.  ...Just another idea.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Sounds like a pressure problem especially with all those filters. Remove the external filters and try again.  Also, how long is your hose and what diameter? If it's 1/4" and 50 feet long that adds to the pressure problem.  I bet you're not getting the pressure you think you are unless you have a gauge after the filter and right at the inlet to the machine.