Welder issues

[67fastback]

ok i got older welder 110v I weld sometimes and works great other times it goes and then just stops nothing... will not feed the wire at all i pull the wire out more and not hung up just not feed or getting a spark went i hit the steel... put it way for a few days bring back up and works again...
really strang, and one know what is going on here or what i should check out when this happens?

[fmlewis]

I got el cheapo Harbor Frieght welder. What I have found with mine is that you need to make sure the line leading to the gun isn't twisted or has tight bends in it, otherwise it feeds great.

Also, you wire size may not be the right diameter for the feed mechanism, but I would expect you to have problems all the time.

[jfiscus]

Pull the trigger with the cover open if it has a cover. See if the feed wheels are turning & in-turn feeding the wire through them. If the wire's feeding fine there then I would assume the liner needs replaced.

[gothodgie]

you might just be hitting it's duty cycle, and after it cools down it starts working again...

[93 Krawler]

Originally Posted by gothodgie

you might just be hitting it's duty cycle, and after it cools down it starts working again...

Yeah, if it works and then stops, it's either the electronics are messed up or hitting the duty cycle. It depends on how long you are using it before it stops feeding.

[oklahomawelder]

Originally Posted by gothodgie

you might just be hitting it's duty cycle, and after it cools down it starts working again...

THIS^^^^^ would be my bet.....

[gothodgie]

Originally Posted by oklahomawelder

THIS^^^^^ would be my bet.....

yea those little welders don't have much of a duty cycle if i remember right.. It should tell ya about it in the manual if you still have it laying around...

[67fastback]

did not think of the duty cycle... crap..that might be it, it is a century welder... and lifted the cover and it did not spin the wheels to feed at all..so leaning towards duty cycle.. i know about the kinks int he line and size of wire checked all that .030 is just fine for it..

[Nuts]

Is this the welder I used to have? If so just throw it away and buy a new one because its not worth fixing

[oklahomawelder]

Its probably about 20% Duty cycle. That is you can weld for 2 minutes in 10 minutes at a set amperage before it will shut off to cool down.....

[Nuts]

Originally Posted by oklahomawelder

Its probably about 20% Duty cycle. That is you can weld for 2 minutes in 10 minutes at a set amperage before it will shut off to cool down.....

If its the one I think it is then yes it does have a 20% duty cycle. Its about a $300 welder that was bought in 1999 and has been used and abused ALOT! Phil its time to trade some of your techno equipment in on a new welder

[67fastback]

Originally Posted by Nuts

Is this the welder I used to have? If so just throw it away and buy a new one because its not worth fixing

yes it is...

[67fastback]

Originally Posted by Nuts

If its the one I think it is then yes it does have a 20% duty cycle. Its about a $300 welder that was bought in 1999 and has been used and abused ALOT! Phil its time to trade some of your techno equipment in on a new welder

yeah maybe so... Hard to learn on inferior welder... Puts you already at a learning curve!!! With some techno in back ground while really puts u at a disadvantage...:)

[srussell]

It could be the potentiometer switch. the switch that controls the wire speed
It's a cheap fix if that's what it is.