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View Full Version : Powpak 400 info

Resinrocket
10-09-2006, 04:45 PM
Hi. I have recently been given a Powcon Powpak 400s. Does anyone have any information on this machine especially a schematic as I am hoping to convert it from 3 phase to single phase. Many thanks.
halbritt
10-09-2006, 06:27 PM
I believe a Powpak is simply an array of PowCon 400s, but I'm not certain. Have a photo?

Arc Products is the place to go for manuals and schematics. They'll send you one for $23 or thereabouts.

http://www.arc-products.com/
Resinrocket
10-10-2006, 12:01 PM
Tried Arc Products already but they had no info.
Could post Photo if you think it might help!
Thanks.
Resinrocket
10-10-2006, 12:05 PM
Photos.
smithboy
10-10-2006, 03:35 PM
Resinrocket,
I have some bad news and some worse news. First for the bad...these things are very old inverters and are not supported by anybody at all. I bought a couple dirt cheap thinking they would be good for parts for my other powcons (first mistake) and then I tried both thermal arc and arc products in california for the manuals and they had to go to some cave to get the next newer model. They don't even have the manual for this one anymore. (And now for the worse news) As they are built, they are three phase only, but can probably be converted to single phase with a lot of effort...probably involving changing out transformer (I think that's the right term here) Also, mine are both 440v. The fan in it is three phase, also, so it will not run in single phase...so, it will have to be replaced or it will overheat even if it can be made to run. The case is pretty much a powcon, but the innards are totally different than the more recent models (300, 400). These were built for Thermal Arc, and nobody there even remembers them. They use a different combination of capacitors...even the mainboards are totally different. Finally, if you have done a google search for this welder, you probably already know...there is next to nothing out there. These things are pretty much orphans. However, they are interesting orphans. I have taken one of mine completely apart. I have some schematics-like drawings from a similar welder, but I don't have them handy right now...send me a PM with your email and I will forward them to you as soon as I can put my hands on them.
halbritt
10-10-2006, 03:57 PM
Wow, I've never seen one of those. If you're comfortable working around high voltages and now how to discharge capacitors, then try cracking the case open and getting some photos. All the PowCons that I know of have bus bars for the voltage changeover from three phase to single phase. I'll see if it matches up with my 400SM. If so, I'll post the details.
Resinrocket
10-10-2006, 04:14 PM
Thanks for all the good news!!!!!! No wonder nobody on Ebay wanted it.
Any schematics would be helpful even if not for this model as the theory may be similar.
My fan seems to be single phase (only two wires) and runs fine.
There do not seem to be any jumpers inside. All capacitors look like they have discharge resisters fitted but will still leave well alone unless discharged.
Have sent smithboy a PM with my email.
Thanks.