PT250EX - only getting HF arc

[dgarnier]

I was working doing some work on my duck boat when I ran into a problem. I was only getting the HF arc, it would never ramp up to the full arc. I also noticed that the amps on the display said 205 when I had set it to 125. I had started out at AC, 125amps balance at 20% and ac freq 110 -120 , up and down slope set to zero and the pre and post flow set at about 2 and no pulse with the peddle and it 2t mode. The machine was working just fine for the first 4 welds. Then on the 5th I just got the HF arc, so I moved the ground clamp to try and get a better ground that still didn't help. So I got out of the boat and noticed the amp display was at 205 and the lowest it would go was 130. So I got clean steel bar and put the clamp on it and tried to get the arc going and still just the HF arc. I tried calling support but there are not there yet and couldn't leave a message. Anyone have this problem and how did you fix it?

I also tried switching to DC but I got the same results.

[everlastsupport]

Have you tried the unit with the TIG torch switch, not the foot peddle? If you turn the amp all the way up, what is the max amps on the display? I know I am getting messages on my tech calls? Did you get a mailbox full or something?

[dgarnier]

when I pressed 207 for support it switched and then just kept ringing. If I turned the dial all the way up it went up to 280 something

[Ray]

Sorry,

The dang phone system has to forward the calls several times.

I get a lot of calls that hang up just as I’m answering.

Please let it ring, I can’t always get to the phone, it willeventually go to voice mail. And I’ll call you back as soon as possible.

[everlastsupport]

Ray is right. I get those too. And the voicemail will record the hangup sometime.

Dgarnier, please callback into support. This is not something we can fix on the forum.

[dgarnier]

ok switching to the switch on the touch made it so I got a normal arc, but the read out seems to be getting worse now the lowest it will go is 305 amps

[everlastsupport]

DO NOT USE THE UNIT any more at this point and contact someone tech support. I am ext 203, Ray is 207. Mark, whoever, but you need to get one of us on the phone to diagnose a board or the unit.

[Oleg]

ok switching to the switch on the touch made it so I got a normal arc, but the read out seems to be getting worse now the lowest it will go is 305 amps

dgarnier

you may have 4053 chip problem, are you in FLORIDA ?

[dgarnier]

it times I wish - but no I am in Chicago. Pretty sure mine was in the batch with the bad IGBT chips. Talked to Ray and he said it needs to come in for work.

[everlastsupport]

IGBT is probably fine, the 4053 is a problem right now. And continued use will take out the IGBT module. Long as you got one of us. Will assume Ray set you up.

[dgarnier]

Yeah Ray asked a few question, and had it worked out as to what was going on. He said the same thing that continued use would mess things up more, so with that I shut it down and boxed up ready to go back to get fixed up.

[everlastsupport]

Yea, if the board fails (the 4053 chip) and you keep trying to use it, it can cause damage (IGBT module). Why I mentioned call in on the phone and do not use it.

It is a simple fix if you have ever done one, but it's easier for us to fix it no doubt.