Maxstar 150STL - what turns on the gas flow?

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Do you turn it on at the regulator or does it sense when to open the valve internally?Also does this unit have postflow? Thanks.Last edited by skywest; 05-02-2009 at 08:32 PM.Lincoln PowerMig 180cVictor O/ABandaids and aspirinI don't know what I don't know!?
Reply:The foot pedal turns on both the gas flow and the arc on the STH, not sure on the STL.   I think it has automatic pre-set post flow time.   My XMT 304 has the lift-start tig function, but no gas valve, so I have a torch with a manual gas valve on the torch that I open and close by hand before and after the weld is done.  My hand is the pre/post flow gas timer on that torch... MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Thanks Rider, I was/am hoping it's foot controlled. The miller site does not specifically address this to my knowledge. So I guess a foot control is a required item, I don't see a torchvalve in any of the photos.Lincoln PowerMig 180cVictor O/ABandaids and aspirinI don't know what I don't know!?
Reply:HERE is the owner's manual for the Maxstar 150 STL.   On the setup section the manual shows a 6-pin remote control connector on the machine, so it will accept a foot pedal.  It also shows a gas hose connection on the back of the machine, so I assume it has a gas valve in the machine.  The instructions state the the current can be controled either at the panel or by remote and the remote can turn the current output on and off.   Looks like it operates like a normal tig machine except no high freq start.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Internal gas valve opens when the arc is struck, whether the remote is used or not. Touch and lift, gas is on. Break the arc, the postflow runs (I think it is 1sec/10A) and shuts off. Without the remote, you break the arc by pulling away, but need to bring the torch back to the weld area without touching to provide the postflow shielding. The machine will operate with no remote, with a remote pushbutton (removes the need to pull of to break the arc), or with a remote current control (fingertip or pedal)
Reply:Sounds complicated to operate.  I think I would spring for the STH model instead of the STL if I was really intending to use it for tig.   I don't care for the lift start on my XMT, so I scratch start instead and use the remote.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Not complicated at all. No remote, break it off like scratch start. Remote plugged in, the machine uses it. Only part that takes thinking is setting for push on-push off control (handy with a fingertip button). Requires power cycling the machine while holding the select button.I actually use the lift start with pushbutton on my STH most of the time. Only use the full remote or HF when I really need to.
Reply:As ENPLK states - not complicated at all. I have the fingertip control on mine. Touch to the workpiece - gas starts - lift and arc starts. Weld to end and lift until arc breaks, then lower towards the workpiece until the gas flow stops. Postflow is fixed and varies by current setting.With or without the fingertip control - the routine is exactly the same. Foot pedal and fingertip use a 6 pin connector as opposed to the 14 pin standard, but I think that's the only real difference. With the fingertip control have to rotate it "off" and back on once when turning on the machine before you start to weld.