Powermax 600 - Setting Air Pressure ??

[giles45shop]

Just picked up my first plasma cutter, a used PM600 and have some questions about the set-up.

I downloaded the manual and read through the instructions, but have a question on setting air pressure.

When I turn the amp knob to the pressure check setting (full CCW), air flows out of the torch and the pressure is ~ 60 psi as it is flowing. When I turn the amp knob up, the air stops flowing out of the gun and pressure jumps to ~ 72 psi, which is where it is supposed to be according to the manual. The unit has a 25' torch.

So my question is, should the pressure be set with the air flowing or without air flow?

I've got the regulator on the PM 600 cranked down quite a bit, so if it's supposed to be set while flowing I'll need to adjust my supply pressure upwards somewhat. I've got a large 6 hp/80 gallon Speedaire compressor, so that's not a problem, just wanted to make sure that I wasn't going to overpressure anything.

Thanks,

John

[SundownIII]

John,

Set your pressure on the 600 with the air flowing. That's what the CCW position is for.

I use both the 600 and 1250 and set the pressure on the feed (controlled by a regulator on the main line) at about 100 psi. That pressure is further stepped down at the cutter.

As a sidenote. I use 1/2" feeder lines (from the wall mounted regulator to the plasma cutter). Couple years back there was considerable discussion about starving the plasma cutters for air by using 1/4" lines.

My air is provided by an Ingersol Rand 2 Stage compressor, rated at 175psi. Right after the compressor, my air goes to a IR PACE regulator, where the pressure is stepped down to 115psi feeding my distribution lines (3/4" steel pipe). Each drop has it's own regulator and moisture trap. I have a refrigerated cooler on the line, but only use it during the humid months. Never had any issues with plasma air.

[giles45shop]

John,

Set your pressure on the 600 with the air flowing. That's what the CCW position is for.

I use both the 600 and 1250 and set the pressure on the feed (controlled by a regulator on the main line) at about 100 psi. That pressure is further stepped down at the cutter.

As a sidenote. I use 1/2" feeder lines (from the wall mounted regulator to the plasma cutter). Couple years back there was considerable discussion about starving the plasma cutters for air by using 1/4" lines.

My air is provided by an Ingersol Rand 2 Stage compressor, rated at 175psi. Right after the compressor, my air goes to a IR PACE regulator, where the pressure is stepped down to 115psi feeding my distribution lines (3/4" steel pipe). Each drop has it's own regulator and moisture trap. I have a refrigerated cooler on the line, but only use it during the humid months. Never had any issues with plasma air.

Thanks!!

Right now, my single stage compressor is feeding a Wilkinson regulator/filter at 1/2", but then it steps down to 1/4" steel piping across the roof of the shop and runs about 40' to the drop where I am running the plasma from. At that drop, I have a HF Industrial regulator/filter, followed by a disposable desicator which is feeding another filter on the back of the PM 600. I'm probably getting a fairy significant pressure drop, but I didn't have any warning lights on the PM600.

In the immediate future, I will be running 3/4" steel pipe and replacing the HF unit with another good quality reg/filter and a Motorguard filter on the back of the plasma.

The only reason I didn't do that yet was that I bought the PM600 at a pawnshop and they couldn't demo it but gave me a 10 day trial period w/ 100% money back. So until I made sure it was operational I didn't want to sink the money in the air supply upgrades.

I tried it out today and it worked fine, so I can go ahead and invest in the upgrades. Overall, I think I did pretty well as I only paid $500 for the unit and it came with a handful of consumables as well. I don't plan on doing a lot of cutting until I get the upgraded air supply, just in case there would be aproblem with starving the unit.

Thanks again,

John