Another Powermax 380 problem

[junkyard4]

Hello,
I have a Powermax 380 and was cutting some 1/4" plate and it just stopped cutting and the power light started flashing. I shut the machine off and turned it back on. Now when you pull the trigger the air comes out of the torch for about a half a second and then stops and the power light starts flashing again. I played around with it a little and found that if you just pull the trigger momentarily the air turns on and stays on until you pull the trigger again. At no point does any flame come out. When this started I was making a very long cut, could I have overheated something? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Paul

[Rbeckett]

Sounds like you blew up the consumable and got a little spec of slag in the orifice. Take apart the tip and give her a look. The power light is the fault light when something like that happens, it blinks to warn you something is amiss.
Bob

[junkyard4]

Bob,
Thanks for your input. I just put a new nozzle and electrode and it still does the same thing.
Paul

[jimcolt]

This is a blow back style torch head.....meaning the electrode is spring loaded and must move freely inside the swirl ring when the torch is assembled in order to ionize the air and make the torch fire. Here are the normal causes of misfiring with this torch:

1. worn consumables (electrode, nozzle, swirl ring) Change these one at a time. The swirl ring will last a long time....maybe for 50 electrode and nozzle changes....but if it appears blackened or damaged in any way, then it should be replaced. The swirl ring controls gas flow and swirl rate, acts as an insulator between the negaive electrode and the positive nozzle, and works as a sliding bearing surface for the movable electrode.
2. Overtightened retaining cap.....the retaining cap just needs to be snug on the torch. If overightened it will bind up the ability of the electrode to slide freely.
3. Incorrect input air pressure. 65 to 70 psi while flowing out of the torch is the correct pressure.
4. Worn out retaing cap.
5. Stuck plunger in torch body from dirty air. Check to see if the electrode seat has a spring action, if not this may be the issue.
6. Incorrectly manufactured aftermarket consumables (this happens often)

Jim Colt

[junkyard4]

Jim,
The torch head checks out ok. I took it to a welder repair shop and the guy told me what to check, he use to work for Thermal Dynamics and knows a lot about plasma cutters. Hypertherm told me most likely the power control board is bad and that I should buy a new one for $845 or buy a new machine. I bought this machine 8 years ago for $1,100 and did not put that many hours on it. This was a really bad investment. Now I am suppose to buy a new one and hope that I get more hours out of it before a major part goes bad??? It's real easy to say the board is bad but in reality there is probably a $2 part that is bad on the board. I am just trying to find out what part that would be and I get no help from Hypertherm other than them telling me I have to give them lots of money to fix a machine they built and did not last the amount of hours it should. $1,100 divided by 3 hours is about $366.66 an hour. Would you buy another plasma cutter that gets that kind of an average?

[jimcolt]

Paul,

So you spoke with someone at Hypertherm's factory tech service? Did they direct you to a regional repair facility? It is rather rare for the issue to be a control board. Let me know who you spoke with in tech service.

Thanks, Jim

[junkyard4]

Jim,
Check your private message.
Paul

[weldersales]

Check your board. If it is a 213150, I think the exchange prices would be more like 200, 250, and 450 for repaired, used (tested), new. Also, if you like, we can check your board in one of our machines here at no charge. Weldersales

[specter]

Hi Paul and the folks at weldersales you may want to both post your location so you'll both know where the other guy is! Just in case you want to get together to test out that board or plasmacutter.

If you want to post your location, show your personal avatar, or have a signature on each post telling fellow members where you are located; an avatar of you or your shop, and a signature telling fellow members what types of equipment you have, you can do it all by following these steps:

1. Locate and click on USER CP

2. Under YOUR CONTROL PANEL, YOUR PROFILE, click on EDIT YOUR DETAILS

3. In the EDIT YOUR DETAILS, you can enter Optional Information and Additional Information such as your Location (an other info)

4. While in USER CP you can explore some of the other functions

- Avatar: you can have picture of you, your shop, your wife, children, dog, etc (keep it clean- no nudes)

- Signature: you can list all your equipment, a link to your shop, or maybe some witty saying

[specter]

Hi Paul did you get your problem resolved. If you are still having the problem you can phone Hypertherm Tech support at 1 800-643-9878. Or you can reach them through their Internet site at http://www.hypertherm.com/en/Product...vice/index.jsp