is this normal?

[whitehendrix!]

well, i FINALLY got myself a TIG welder after years of lusting. got a killer craigslist deal from a local guy. he said with the exception of utilizing the plasma for a test run of the unit, it's never been operated. he had full intentions asd i also have a full bottle of argon, not no tungsten and everything was apart like it came from the factory.

well, in my curiosity and all, and just wanting to see the thing "on" i wired up some electric real quick and slapped power to it.

flipping thru the modes i got the hell scared outta me.
upon switching from stick to TIG, i hear that "classic" arcing sound. i looked thru the vent and saw a nice blueish white glow.


first up, a pic of the machine (sans cover)
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg38/whitehendrix00/107_0079.jpg

so, i take 'er apart and find this. i turned it on and located the point of arc.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg38/whitehendrix00/107_0080.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg38/whitehendrix00/107_0083.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg38/whitehendrix00/107_0085.jpg

now, with enough of an electronics background to be dangerous and an electrical engineering degree, to me, this point looks purpose-built, as if it was a self-adjustment arc gap. the arc duration is proportional to the "down slope" control.

happens in any mode tyweaking such as AC or DC, and none of the other parameter controls seem to affect arc frequency, duration, or intensity.

machine sems normal in every other aspect.

thanks for your time and help!
i have yet to test this machine for fear of screwin something up should this be an abnormality.

(p.s... not sure why the pics won't embed...)

[EVERLAST]

Email support@everlastwelders.com

[EVERLAST_SUPPORT]

Hearing I am an EE and know enough about electronics to be dangerous sort of scares me as an EE myself.

Can you PM (that's private message) me a phone number and I will call you. Sunday. It is late Saturday here on this coast. Or better email it to support@everlastwelders.com .

The arc you see is the high freq that runs the unit. That is a good thing, not bad
__________________

[whitehendrix!]

haha..i belive you took that as electronics engineer.... i went for electrical ;) i originally was going to be an electronics engineer and my direction changed a bit. i still have my tektronics scope and various devices from my RF equipment and TV days.

went into industrial controls and robotics.. love it!!


i just went on a little test welding expedition. ran a 7018 about 4" @ 75ADC and it ran perfect.
guess i just didn't expect an "exposed" arc to occur in the machine.

still haven't used the TIG or plasma, but i'll assume everything is tip-top.
thank you for the incredibly fast response. i wasn't expecting this til probably monday.
another reason i went with your product is the superb customer and technical support i've witness to other users here.
now i see it first hand!

thanks again guys!

i'll call ya about any warranty info monday since i bought this "used".. not sure if theres still a warranty on it or if there is, if it transfers.

-Jim

[transit]

That arc doesn’t appear normal, on the other hand it looks like the arc between the legs of a Jacobs’s ladder.

[whitehendrix!]

it's very similar, the arc gap is maybe 1/4" and the area it happens is purpose-built looking with a little nipple of sorts for arc centering.

the machine works fine and being that it's proportional to the slope time, i'd assume it's a self-calibration.

[EVERLAST_SUPPORT]

Jim,

You can register the unit via our website main page at http://www.everlastwelders.com also take a look at the new forum while you are there.

Welcome aboard.

[lugweld]

Hendrix,

What you have discovered is the High Frequency point gap...

[whitehendrix!]

i know this now. :D
i was unaware there was a set of points in this bad boy!

not really sure of it's purpose still, but i'll pretend i know and say it's the salf-calibration thing.
probably either alot more simple or alot more complex than that in actuality!! haha.
maybe i should call the company and learn a bit about it?

like what the gap effects..