Wtf is that for?

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I have an old Marquette tig welder. It has a panel in the top with gap points in there. There is a gap spec written in there in paint marker.Just wondering if anyone knows what that's for? It is a high frequency welder.Hickory
Reply:That's the spark gap for the HF circuit."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:That's what I thought it was. Let me restate the question, how does it change the arc?Hickory
Reply:Hello Hickory, if your machine is capable of GTAW with AC current it is necessary to keep the arc "lit", AC has a dead spot where it shifts from one side of the DC current to the other, the Hi-Frequency helps it get through that without having the arc go out. The other function of the Hi-Frequency is to aid in arc initiation without physically needing to touch the tungsten to the work. This is helpful with either AC or DC current. Hope this helps. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:As stated it was for easy arc start but it also allowed running DC rods on a AC cracker box.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Ok, lets change the question again, by changing the gap in between those points what happens to the high frequency signal? I really appreciate all the responses, but having trouble asking the question the right way to get the answer I'm looking for. If the point gap was wrong how would the arc be effected?Hickory
Reply:If the gap is wrong then the HF won't work. That's if you can get it to work at all. There will some difference in HF strength with the wrong gap but if it's off to far then it simply quits working. But there's other things besides the gap for the HF which can go bad with age. I'd be surprised if you can get it to work at all considering how long it's been since they've made that type welder. The HF not working shouldn't prevent you from being able to use the welder though.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:There are some hints here:www.angelfire.com/ca7/teslainfo/sample.pdf‎"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Thanks, that's the answers I was after. Welder works great have no problems with it at all. Just curious to see if I could make it weld better. Been spitting slag, and breathing fire for years. It's nice to have a way to communicate with peers. Thanks again!Hickory