My Power Plasma 50

[performance]

Jbyt,

The symptoms you are giving is of a faulty torch. Call Monday, and we can send one out. Most likely the spring is retracting too slowly. Arc starting can be slightly delayed if that is the case. Sometimes, its just a matter of use. But call sales on Monday, and they should be able to send one out right away.

[jtybt]

Oky Thanks, Mark.

[geezer]

One curious thing. There is a 1-2 sec delay after pulling the trigger til the pilot arc starts...but every once in a while it'll start as soon as I pull the trigger.

I have a refillable aeresol can from HF that I can fill with lacquer thinner and spray the torch tip parts and maybe un stick them.

I'm disassembling some tube type wrought iron fence to build up some stock but it also gives me practice in cutting thin stuff and tack welds without going thru...well most of the time.

I have a bunch of 3/16" X 2" angle iron brackets I have to disassemble, too.

Gotta make this plasma cutter pay for itself.

That delay indicates a sticky piston binding, you could pump it up and down a dozen times to break it in or clear it, the other possiblity that comes to mind is the trigger switch is not making a positive contact, it's a very simple switch, the sticky piston is my first guess, make sure the consumable is tight.

I don't think it is a serious problem just painful one, keeping your air dry & clean is important

[jtybt]

Got a hold of Alex and the torch is on it's way.

...and thanks Katya!

[britstef]

yeah i got the same problem and ive already disassebled and installed new wires inside torch cuz they were so thin and broke and torch wouldnt work and now its doing the same thing again im wondering if i can get a 40 or 60 amp torch and run it with out the pilot arc

[britstef]

yeah power plasma 50 is a good unit cuts real good but the problem is the s45 torch with too many thin wires inside the torch and going to the plug seems like the most complicated plasma torch ive ever used and im not statisfied with mine and wonder if i can put on a 40 or 60 amp non pilot arc type cuz they last longer and work better than the s45 i would appreciate any help because today it went down for the second time and i didnt feel like opening up the damned s45 unit again for the 3rd time to track and repair the bad connections in the thin wires

[performance]

Brit,

The torch is actually very simple as far as things like that go...But I understand your issue. Twisting and excessive coiling can break or pull the wires. There is a possibility that you might want to purchase a true trafimet s-45 if you feel this is a problem. They are available from many trafimet dealers. We will have a new torch factory I hope and have a few changes, including the s-45 forthcoming, but no guarantee as to when.

MOST torches do not give any issues on the wires breaking. It is rare, so with my experience with these torches, the only thing that causes them to break is the pulling flexing and over bending of the torch near the head. You may want to add a small length of wire to the connections to lengthen the wires. There should be enough room to coil a loop or two extra under the handle. HOwever, most times all that it requires is to push the switch connector back on after squeezing it tight and no soldering is involved on this switch.

What most people do not understand about the blow back design is that it doesn't have much to do with pilot arc. The blow back design initiates the start, and does not control the pilot arc in most cases. A high frequency torch would require a lift start and it would be quite difficult to cut. Possibly the pilot arc would continue to function, but it is not designed for it.

[britstef]

yeah took the torch apart and found loose connections on switch and secured all connections and added wires to give it room and it works great thank goodness and yeah its a good cutter and blowback types seem to cut better and work better and cool off faster and thanks for your quick helpful response