250EX No Arc....

[PinkNinja]

So My 250ex did something funny today. I went to weld, and no arc.

I get a nice little electrical dance (Like when the ground isn't connected) on my work piece but no arc.

I have tried everything multiple times. Shutting it off, unplugging it, changing my parameters, changing ground locations, changed tungsten types and sizes, switched between ac and dc, switched from hi-freq to lift arc, changed from foot pedal to torch trigger, and NOTHING! I get nothing but a nice little electrical dance.

This machine performed flawlessly a few days ago.

I need answers. And I need them ASAP. I'm a student and I have work that needs to be done....
I was expecting a little more than 1 years use out of my machine....

Not to happy...

Adam

[PinkNinja]

For the record.

This is what it is doing.








Please note the distance from the work piece is only to show what it's doing.
Also, not that it matters, 1/16, 3/32, 1/8 2% Lanthanated (in the pics, and all I ever use), Ceriated, and Thoriated tungstens were tried.

.......... And those horrid welds in the background are NOT mine.

Also note.
I have NEVER opened up the machine for any reason. And I will NOT do so to check for anything. I'm not voiding my warranty.

[jakeru]

It would be good to know if the machine functions properly in either "stick welding" or "scratch start" mode.

If it does work in either of those modes, and if were me, I'd take the cover off, and visually inspect, measure the distance of, and recondition (like by using some sandpaper or a small file to sand off any oxidation on the surface of) the high frequency gap.

[PinkNinja]

It would be good to know if the machine functions properly in either "stick welding" or "scratch start" mode.

If it does work in either of those modes, and if were me, I'd take the cover off, and visually inspect, measure the distance of, and recondition (like by using some sandpaper or a small file to sand off any oxidation on the surface of) the high frequency gap.

Already stated it doesn't work while in either Hi-freq or lift/scratch arc/start..

Just tried stick welding about 5 minutes ago, and nothing.

Also, if opening up my machine has any chance of voiding my warranty I'm not touching it. Unless someone from Everlast Canada instructs to do so.
When you're a full time student keeping a valid warranty on something that cost $2k is vital.

[jakeru]

If your ground connection is good, and it can't even make an arc in stick welding mode, then it could be an internal problem like a damaged diode or IGBT. Is there a "fault" LED or light on the machine's panel that is lit up?

[Edit: triangle with explanation mark light in it, in upper left corner of front face below the "ON" LED:]


I would contact Everlast support for assistance (probably via phone, since you are in a hurry.)

[PinkNinja]

If your ground connection is good, and it can't even make an arc in stick welding mode, then it could be an internal problem like a damaged diode or IGBT. Is there a "fault" LED or light on the machine's panel that is lit up?

I would contact Everlast support for assistance (probably via phone, since you are in a hurry.)

No, I don't get any "fault" LED lights or anything. Everything appears normal, minus the fact that the arc does not form.

I didn't think they'd answer the phone since it's Sunday. But I'll try.

[Oleg]

PinkNinja
You can pop the cover and check.
Please PM me your info and ray or mike will call you Monday . We will take care of you , don't worry


Oleg Gladshteyn
Oleg@everlastwelders.com
415 613 664 cell
650 588 8588 work

[PinkNinja]

I just got off the phone with a gentleman from Everlast Canada. (If you read this, again, I apologize for calling your cell phone)

He instructed me to contact Ray.

I'll PM you my info right now.

[zoama]

Verify the voltage on both hot wires at the connector.

[PinkNinja]

With the go ahead from Oleg, I popped the cover off. This "hi-freq" gap that I'm to be looking for isn't so obvious to me.... I figured it would be obvious to spot.
Wires, capacitors, relays, thingy's, and wtf are those are not my speciality. To me it looks like Megatron vomit. I don't really know what to look for.

[Zmechanic]

For what it's worth, that doesn't look like a HF spark gap problem to me. It looks like HF is working and the rest of the welder isn't. The HF turns on and generates the initial arc, but the machine doesn't ever push the high current behind it.