What is remote current and contactor functions?

[Underwhere]

I just received my thermal arc 185.

The manual is horrid.
No where in this manual, does it explain what functions 10 and 11 are.
10 is remote current.
What is it?
And which option is what?

11 is Contactor Functions:
What is it?
And which option is what?

I can't tell what the symbols mean.

http://i12.tinypic.com/4bdrn88.jpg

[ZTFab]

Did your welder come with a foot pedal.

The remote contactor switch allows the foot pedal (or a thumb control) to activate the arc.

Turning that switch off should mean you have to scratch start to get the arc going.

The remote current function should allow the foot pedal to adjust the amperage output based on the initial setting on the welder.
So, 100A on the dial at the welder and half throttle on the pedal would be 50 amps.

- Paul

[Underwhere]

Did your welder come with a foot pedal.

The remote contactor switch allows the foot pedal (or a thumb control) to activate the arc.

Turning that switch off should mean you have to scratch start to get the arc going.

The remote current function should allow the foot pedal to adjust the amperage output based on the initial setting on the welder.
So, 100A on the dial at the welder and half throttle on the pedal would be 50 amps.

- Paul

That's what I thought...but I have yet to scratch start any arc...and I've had the welder on both settings (i think)
So theoretically, if I had my welder set to HF start, then it should force the remote contactor to be on correct? Cause HF doesn't involve the tungsten touching the work.

Excuse my stupidity but which icon is on and off? Why wouldn't they just print "on" and "off'

Could you perhaps just point me to which one it should be on?

The welder does come with a foot pedal standard.

I don't believe the manual mentions this anywhere except for that page.
Horrible manual.

[Tailshaft56]

I'm as in the dark as you but I'll bet a cup of joe that those are standard symbols. My guess is the circles are remote and the squares are local. My TA came with a laminated "quick start" guide. It walks you through setup for any type procedure. I'll guess for tig you should have both contactor and current set for remote. button 9 process should be set for center ( HF Tig ) button 4 needs to be in the top position. That should get you going for using the foot pedal. Keep in mind the HF will not start till after the preflow period. Are you hereing the argon flow when you hit the pedal?

[Underwhere]

I'm as in the dark as you but I'll bet a cup of joe that those are standard symbols. My guess is the circles are remote and the squares are local. My TA came with a laminated "quick start" guide. It walks you through setup for any type procedure. I'll guess for tig you should have both contactor and current set for remote. button 9 process should be set for center ( HF Tig ) button 4 needs to be in the top position. That should get you going for using the foot pedal. Keep in mind the HF will not start till after the preflow period. Are you hereing the argon flow when you hit the pedal?

Yeah, I've been welding on steel and aluminum...and when I hit options 10 and 11, it doesn't seem to do anything.

But I appreciate your help.
What I did notice is that the symbols are different for 10 and 11, so it's not just a simple on/off thing.

[ZTFab]

Actually, the square symbols designate remote function.

The round symbol on the current control panel represents the dial control on the front of the machine or "panel local". The round symbol on the contactor indicates output-to-ground (Scratch or Lift-Arc starting).

I would assume that setting the machine to HF start would automatically switch the contactor control to remote as that is what my Miller's do.

If you're not using the "Lift-arc" function of this machine, I would set both the current and contactor controls to the "square" icons. That should give your foot pedal starting and amperage control.

Hope this helps

- Paul

[Underwhere]

Actually, the square symbols designate remote function.

The round symbol on the current control panel represents the dial control on the front of the machine or "panel local". The round symbol on the contactor indicates output-to-ground (Scratch or Lift-Arc starting).

I would assume that setting the machine to HF start would automatically switch the contactor control to remote as that is what my Miller's do.

If you're not using the "Lift-arc" function of this machine, I would set both the current and contactor controls to the "square" icons. That should give your foot pedal starting and amperage control.

Hope this helps

- Paul

THANK YOU

It kills me not knowing.

freaking square icons.
Thermadyne needs some usability improvement.

[Tailshaft56]

Actually, the square symbols designate remote function.

The round symbol on the current control panel represents the dial control on the front of the machine or "panel local". The round symbol on the contactor indicates output-to-ground (Scratch or Lift-Arc starting).

I would assume that setting the machine to HF start would automatically switch the contactor control to remote as that is what my Miller's do.

If you're not using the "Lift-arc" function of this machine, I would set both the current and contactor controls to the "square" icons. That should give your foot pedal starting and amperage control.

Hope this helps

- Paul

Guess I was backwards. My apologies.

[Underwhere]

Guess I was backwards. My apologies.
I appreciate the response.
The symbols suck.

[gnm109]

My vintage TIG 250 has a switch on the front panel that is for "Current Control at TIG 250" or Current Control Remote". When I use this switch set to remote, I can use the foot pedal to increase current to the maximum setting I have chosen on the front panel.

Contactor control (which initiates water and gas solenoids) is automatically engaged when I switch to "Inert Gas Welding" on the front panel The other setting is for "Stick Welding", which de-energizes the contactor and the footpedal completely.

I agree, machinery manuals typically are not much good. :confused:

[Tailshaft56]

Contact Thermal and ask for tech support. They can walk you right through it.

[Tailshaft56]

One other thing is several people have recieved Tig/stick kits with these that need to have the connectors tightened. (the set screws for the cable and the bolt connection for the work lead to the clamp.

[fun4now.]

yep big time want to check the conections. i did a post about it a wile back. i also noticed in one of my kits i had some lil crimp rings but still not shore whaere they came from?? might have been some thing i got else where or could have come with the dins conectors. did any one get an extra set of dins conectors with theres?? i know the miller dyn comes with a set and when you get the contractors kit you end up with an extra set, this could also be the case with the TA i'll look for the extras tomarow and see whats all there.
enjoy the new TA they rock.:D

[fun4now.]

guess i did the post at the miller board, here is a link to it.
http://www.millermotorsports.com/mbo...ead.php?t=6841

[fun4now.]

try this one
http://www.millermotorsports.com/mboard/showthread.php?t=6841

[Brand X]

How about remote amp control for stick???
My 300 TSW does not have that setup but
my 185 does??

[Tailshaft56]

yep big time want to check the conections. i did a post about it a wile back. i also noticed in one of my kits i had some lil crimp rings but still not shore whaere they came from?? might have been some thing i got else where or could have come with the dins conectors. did any one get an extra set of dins conectors with theres?? i know the miller dyn comes with a set and when you get the contractors kit you end up with an extra set, this could also be the case with the TA i'll look for the extras tomarow and see whats all there.
enjoy the new TA they rock.:D

The power source is shipped with dinse connectors. They are extra if you get the tig/stick kit since the connectors are already "almost" installed. LOL

[Tailshaft56]

Did you get your issues resolved?

[fun4now.]

realy, id you get to play with it yet ?? its a prity impressive lil TIG unit.:D