HF 170 welding "cold"

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I have a HF 170 that I have had a couple years now-troublefree. Me and my sons have used it extensively--probably gone through 3 10pd rolls and several 2pd rolls. Worked great.Two days ago, we used it and it worked fine. Went back a few minutes later, turned it on, upped the amperage (adjusted the switches on the front) and it would barely weld. Little to no penetration. Wire will feed fine.Last night testing: 240v at the wall. 240v at the back of the power switch. Turned on with power on and get 120 on each switch. Unplugged and tested a diode (blue plastic wrapped item on the rectifier) and got nothing one way and 1229 the other way. Not sure if I am testing the right thing or not. I have no idea how to test the printed circuit board. Pulled the gun apart and checked all connections.Any help is appreciated. These seem like simple machines, if only I had some guidance. Otherwise, I will start the search for a new welder. Thanks.
Reply:Sounds like the RectifierThe week spot on HF170 is the RectifierYou find better Rectifiers at Amazon Look for at less 100 volt and 120 ampsDave

Originally Posted by hboy35

I have a HF 170 that I have had a couple years now-troublefree. Me and my sons have used it extensively--probably gone through 3 10pd rolls and several 2pd rolls. Worked great.Two days ago, we used it and it worked fine. Went back a few minutes later, turned it on, upped the amperage (adjusted the switches on the front) and it would barely weld. Little to no penetration. Wire will feed fine.Last night testing: 240v at the wall. 240v at the back of the power switch. Turned on with power on and get 120 on each switch. Unplugged and tested a diode (blue plastic wrapped item on the rectifier) and got nothing one way and 1229 the other way. Not sure if I am testing the right thing or not. I have no idea how to test the printed circuit board. Pulled the gun apart and checked all connections.Any help is appreciated. These seem like simple machines, if only I had some guidance. Otherwise, I will start the search for a new welder. Thanks.
Reply:check the ground and work connections.
Reply:Thanks for the advice. I found zilch on amazon. Maybe used the wrong search terms. I found this on ebay:https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rectifier-f...4AAOSwrcBbZvJjThink it would work? Mine is the 170A wire feed welder. Anyway to test the rectifier?thanks
Reply:would this work?https://www.amazon.com/Black-Single-...+amp+rectifier
Reply:Any help is appreciated. thanks
Reply:I tested all 8 diodes last night. Read between 450 and 500 one way and nothing the other way. Seems to be right. Tested the output voltage at the location where you switch polarity. Varied between 12 and 16 VDC. Any ideas? It makes the humming/buzzing noise when you push the trigger, and wire feeds.
Reply:

Originally Posted by hboy35

I tested all 8 diodes last night. Read between 450 and 500 one way and nothing the other way. Seems to be right. Tested the output voltage at the location where you switch polarity. Varied between 12 and 16 VDC. Any ideas? It makes the humming/buzzing noise when you push the trigger, and wire feeds.