tough beginnings for new powertig 185dv owner

[tiglicker]

Hello welding people,

I had just picked up my new everlast 185 dv, took it home and was welding like horrible dog crap in no time. My tungsten was all bad, welds grey and porous. Im a rather new welder so anything was possible. I was pretty sure i had bad argon but how could you be so sure as a newby. Read every forum available asking every question about dipping tungsen and a hole in the gas line and tested every component i could for leaks. I finally got the chance to test the machine with a different tank of Argon at Molten Metal Works in Los Angeles and it worked fine, so I knew it was a bad tank of gas. I went back to the gas supply ASAP and they replaced my 80 cf tank and refilled it. So home I went, and once home, ... still the same ugly porous, gray tungsten contaminating welds. I went insane, took the machine back to class, tested for longer period against the old tank and confirmed again i had gotten bad argon. I finally went back to the welding supply store and was exchanged a larger tank that was pre filled at a filling plant. Got home, plugged it in, and finally, nice shiny fusion on 16 gage. Finally I was able to play with my green toy at home!

So far, Id say it welds very nice, similar to the miller at the school ive been learning at. Aluminum freq and balance are good to have, though its definitely a challenge to dial in the settings with no indication of the settings.
I do have two issues though. 1. When I press the footpedal (I got the 22k pedal from everlast) there is a large blast or whoosh from the gas bursting out at the beginning of the weld. If I hold the torch away from the piece and let some flow out, the arc starts much smoother. So far Ive read that replacing the gas hose can fix this. but have not yet gotten a new hose. The hose that comes with the welder does not seem to be of very good quality.
2. And more concerning is that there is a high pitch sound seemingly coming from the machine as I weld. The noise is not always there and comes on randomly. It changes volume with the amperege change, controlled at the footpedal. It is very loud and annoying, but random. I need to fix this or I will need to return it.

Any advice?
1/16 ew3 tungsten, 7 cup, 15-20 cfh, stock everlast accessories

[christian]

Hey,

Cool, I really like the new digital PT185 specs, size, and price, not as a user, but as an observer and a user of another Everlast unit.

I don't know about the high-pitched sound you mention, but sometimes higher frequency adjustment does seem loud. Others may have better input on that.

Otherwise, the blast or whoosh of Argon at arc initiation is undoubtedly common to most any TIG welder, and there are various remedies and adjustments to lessen it.

Replacing the gas hose is not an inherent fix, if it doesn't change the volume of pressurized Argon between the regulator and the solenoid at the back of the machine.

But, a different hose, if it has a smaller ID will reduce the gas volume. And a hose that is of better quality, i.e., a thicker wall, will tend not to expand a tiny bit like a ballon, which will have less of a bellows-effect.

Otherwise, if you just shorten your gas hose to a minimum, a lot of that initial pressurized Argon will be reduced significantly.

Please let us all hear how it goes with your new "digital" PT185, as you're one of the first users with feedback that I've noticed. And, glad you got your Argon gas supply squared away.

[christian]

Oh,

And, also, you might consider using a gas lens on your torch to help smooth out the initial Argon flow, which undoubtedly helps with initial arc stability. I mean, I've used a gas lens almost from the very beginning, so I do tend to forget that others may not be using them.

[TheGary]

The woosh is because the hose that is used is expanding and when you strike an arc and the gas valve opens the hose is collapsing back to normal size. Go buy a good quality gas hose and replace it. the woosh should go away. also do not have your gph very high. I would start around 15gph and if you do not have good shielding inch it up . Somewhere between 15 and 20 gph is usually good. That way you are not wasting gas either. You will find that the cost of gas is you highest costing consumable.

[Rambozo]

All inverters run at high switching frequencies inside. Sometimes that can result in a very high pitched squealing. Typically it is from the laminations on inductors vibrating. While it can be annoying, it doesn't really do any harm. Sometimes rough handling during shipping can make it more of an issue. You have a few options depending on how loud it is and how much it bothers you. You can call Everlast about it, and see what they say. You can check the unit inside to make sure there isn't any obvious shipping damage and all the bolts are tight. You can also apply potting compound to the inductors, if that is the problem. That material is available in spray cans at electronic shops. Also make sure nothing is touching the case and setting up vibrations.

[tiglicker]

Hey,

Cool, I really like the new digital PT185 specs, size, and price, not as a user, but as an observer and a user of another Everlast unit.

I don't know about the high-pitched sound you mention, but sometimes higher frequency adjustment does seem loud. Others may have better input on that.

Otherwise, the blast or whoosh of Argon at arc initiation is undoubtedly common to most any TIG welder, and there are various remedies and adjustments to lessen it.

Replacing the gas hose is not an inherent fix, if it doesn't change the volume of pressurized Argon between the regulator and the solenoid at the back of the machine.

But, a different hose, if it has a smaller ID will reduce the gas volume. And a hose that is of better quality, i.e., a thicker wall, will tend not to expand a tiny bit like a ballon, which will have less of a bellows-effect.

Otherwise, if you just shorten your gas hose to a minimum, a lot of that initial pressurized Argon will be reduced significantly.

Please let us all hear how it goes with your new "digital" PT185, as you're one of the first users with feedback that I've noticed. And, glad you got your Argon gas supply squared away.

I think i just missed the new digital platform, Mine was received at the very end of 2015, so no digital for me.... thanks for the reply

[tiglicker]

All inverters run at high switching frequencies inside. Sometimes that can result in a very high pitched squealing. Typically it is from the laminations on inductors vibrating. While it can be annoying, it doesn't really do any harm. Sometimes rough handling during shipping can make it more of an issue. You have a few options depending on how loud it is and how much it bothers you. You can call Everlast about it, and see what they say. You can check the unit inside to make sure there isn't any obvious shipping damage and all the bolts are tight. You can also apply potting compound to the inductors, if that is the problem. That material is available in spray cans at electronic shops. Also make sure nothing is touching the case and setting up vibrations.

Ill have to talk to everlast and see about your recommendation, thanks for the advice