Powcon 150STP

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Newbe to TIG or welding in general.Neighbor set me up with a Powcon 150STP welder, but has never had the arc auto start working.  Unit has boards in it dating back to 1992.  I see the capacitor high voltage auto start board inside, but the control board will not engage the relay on that board.  Any thoughts or ideas?  My neighbor has been a TIG welder for 15 years, but knows nothing about the workings of the 150STP.  He just scratched started with it, and I would also like to get the auto start working for me...Greg
Reply:HI GregI can't help you with your problem but there is a member here (SSBN727) that used to be a sales and repair guy for Powcon Welders. He might be able to help you out. He is going to help me out with the same problem with my Powcon MST300. I asked about adding a High frequency box to my inverter and he said that I didn't need it because I already has a noncontact starter. I didn't ever know it had one .How do you use the stater on your welder, is there a switch that controls on and off ? Or do you just plug in the foot/hand control and it knows you are TIGing and I turns on the starter. I just got the Manual for mine but It didnt have any thing in it about using the starter.Dose the 150STP have a plasma cutter built in like the 225SMC?Sorry that I couldn't help Andy
Reply:For PowCon service and parts (and very friendly knowledgeable staff), try these guys, the ones who bought the rights to the service and parts:http://www.arc-products.com/powcon/index.html
Reply:My Powcon is/was made by Kempi, and Arc-Products only support Powcon made in the US.  Earl Beck out of Maryland supports Kempi products.As for Auto Start,  there is a switch in the front of my unit labled Auto Start & Lift Start,  you just select which way you want to start and go.But I think my many brain control board has the problem, because my inital start power and time to get to full power pots don't seem to do anything, and I believe Auto Start is all part of that issue.  You can hear the Auto Start curcit engage for the 1 second interval, but the high voltage hot spark board won't engage and release high voltage out the terminals...Greg
Reply:If kemppi made it, I bet they made a kemppi badged machine just like it.  I'd check to see if you could match it to a regular kemppi model and see if those parts are still available.  There are two kemppi 150 tig machines on ebay right now http://cgi.ebay.ca/KEMPPI-WELDER-120...QQcmdZViewItemdoes this look at all like yours?Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Looks Just like mine accept mine says 150STP and is Tig.  Parts are availble from Finland, at aprox. 1-2 months shipping through Customs, averaging around $800.00 per board as I was told by Earl Beck of Maryland.