Should I be concerned?

[Zoomie]

I have had my PowerTig 225LX now for about three months and I have noticed something unusual. When I first began using the machine the amperage on AC could be set down to about 22 and any increment from 22 up to 227. Now I am still able to set the amperage as low as 22 but there appears to be a dead spot between 22-31 or so. Ie, it wont adjust to any setting in that range on the panel. I have the pulse off with no upslope or downslope dialed in. The foot pedal seems to also mimic the problem. Any ideas? Also when you weld and stop the welder it will initially show 30 and then click back to whatever you originally had set. Oh, on DC it seems to adjust normally...

[geezer]

Could be as simple as rotating the knob a few times to knock of any dirt or oxide.

[Zoomie]

Geez,
Thanks for the suggestion. Tried that initially but didn't seem to help.

[eide]

Zoomie,

I had an issue with my 225 that the amp (readout) would START at about 250 and go up to 475!
It didn't actually weld at those amps, but after a few calls I had to send in my unit as it was a bad board. We tried to pinpoint the problem so they could just send me a board and do it myself, but couldn't be 100% sure, so had to send it in. Good luck.

[eide]

Oops, by the way, the welder still worked perfectly during all of this - just the display on mine was wrong.

[Zoomie]

Eide,
When your unit is set to AC and you fire the welder off (pedal or Torch Trigger) in TIG, does the unit weld at the actual amperage (upslope and downslope set to zero) you selected in the display, then when you release the trigger/pedal, does the display initially show a consistent yet arbitrary number other than the amperage set(mine shows "30"), then after a brief pause, makes an electronic click then reverts back to the amperage you selected? Mine does exactly what I've just described plus i'm unable to select intermediate amperages between 22-30. This is a change from previous experience with this machine.

[Zoomie]

After changing to the upgraded pedal it still does the same thing. Still kind of a dead spot in amperage when trying to select the lower numbers and kind of a delay upon coming off the switch or pedal to tell you what is going on via the display...

[performance]

zoomie,

You need to talk with someone. The delay is normal before it reverts back. The 30 is the default "end" amperage that the unit declines to EVEN if the timer is turned down on the 225lx. The dead spot isn't normal.

[Zoomie]

Called ya earlier, left a message on your phone...

[performance]

Zoomie,

Not sure when you called, voice mail is acting up. I get a whole batch of them shoved through sometimes all at once, and the phone won't even ring for some time. I believe Ray or Mike might be better to deal with this, since they are more into the "electronic" part than I am. If you get a chance give them a call....I should have said that from the start.

[Zoomie]

Thanks Mike!
I appreciate the one on one, ON SATURDAY no less! thank you, thank you, thank you!

[angular]

What was the resolution? Just curious.

[Zoomie]

Angular,
I believe as does Mike that the rheostat or Potentiometer?!? may be failing and needs replacement. I was asked if I'd like the machine replaced or if I'd rather just swap the knob out. They're sending a replacement pot. I really don't want to wait a couple of weeks to get a machine back, or deal with a the possibility of it being busted up in shipping.