Plasma Cutter NEED HELP QUICK

[on4now4]

i have a hypo therm something i belive its a "30"? the sticker on the inside says 1993...

anyway for the longest time i have been trying to get it to work and finally decided that my air compressor was not able to handle it, so i got a new air compressor set it all up in my basement and gave it a try. worked like a charm everything was great!!!

so i carried it and the air compressor up to the garage today and i go to use it and nothing it just makes a buzzing sound... how could i have broken something from caring it up the stairs? what did i break and how do i fix it? i need this operational asap

[jreynoldswelding]

Originally Posted by on4now4

i have a hypo therm something i belive its a "30"? the sticker on the inside says 1993...

anyway for the longest time i have been trying to get it to work and finally decided that my air compressor was not able to handle it, so i got a new air compressor set it all up in my basement and gave it a try. worked like a charm everything was great!!!

so i carried it and the air compressor up to the garage today and i go to use it and nothing it just makes a buzzing sound... how could i have broken something from caring it up the stairs? what did i break and how do i fix it? i need this operational asap

The buzzing sounds more like an electrical issue to me, Have you took them back to the basement to try yet? Have a multi meter?

[on4now4]

nope, i have not moved it back. because it is a big ordeal to move it all. ya iv got a multi meter...

[on4now4]

ok, i ran an extension cord from inside and it does not buzz. but when i push the button to make it shoot, it makes like a whining noise... if i touch the tip to some metal, it will make sparks but no plasma to be seen

[jreynoldswelding]

Originally Posted by on4now4

ok, i ran an extension cord from inside and it does not buzz. but when i push the button to make it shoot, it makes like a whining noise... if i touch the tip to some metal, it will make sparks but no plasma to be seen

Still sound like an electrical drop to me. What are you getting at the cord? What size cord? Touch the 2 legs to the 2 plugs, what does that read?

[specter]

Wow!! There are so many things it could possibly be.

First off if you thought compressor I assume your compressor was working fine?? If the compressor could power other air tools then it raises the question if the air lines in the Plasma Cutter might be restricted. If the plasma cutter has not been operated in along time its possible some bugs such as a spider made a home in the intake. Clean the air lines if it getting air then suspect its not getting enough air and the plasma cutter is shutting itself down due to lack of the proper amount of air. Try a compressor that will give the proper amount of air. If a Hypertherm unit you can go to their internet site look up your model and get the specs/manual to see what air flow is required. You can also ask Jim Colt in the Hypertherm forum.

If your getting the proper amount of airflow make sure it clean dry air.

Once your assured of both the proper amount of clean dry air and it still only buzzes. Check your ground lead !! Make sure the clamp is clean metal and is clamped to clean metal. If the clamp or the metal is rusty or oxidized the unit will buzz and not initiate an arc but just spark when touching the metal.

If all that still fails wander into the Hypertherm forum!! Be sure to list the model of your plasma cutter as well as all the symptoms it exhibits. Jim Colt wanders in and can answer most questions. You can also go to the Hypertherm internet site , go to customer service/support and phone 1 800 or email them.

Try this link: http://www.hypertherm.com/en/Company...t_Us/index.jsp
HySupport
Technical Service
technical.service@hypertherm.com
800-643-9878 Tel - Toll Free in USA
and Canada Customer Service
customer.service@hypertherm.com
800-737-2978 Tel - Toll Free in USA
and Canada

[Oldiron2]

Also, if the 'consumable' parts of the torch are worn out, it won't work right. If borderline, it might fire one time and not another. As with all such problems, you need to check everything in a systematic manner, probably starting with your power supply.

I'd start by downloading the correct manual; if help is needed for that, talk to Jim as specter suggested.

[specter]

Another thought came to mind!! Check out your torch by removing the consumables. Be sure the consumables are clean, grease free, not nicked or scratched. Be sure the swirl ring is clean. Make sure the electrode and other metal parts are clean and shiny! If the base of the electrode is burnt the torch will not initiate an plasma arc. If the consumables haven't been used in awhile it might be best to switch them out with a new set and keep the old set as a backup..


Guess I was writting my followup as Oldiron wrote his Oh well Free 2nd Opinion

[on4now4]

Well thanks for all the advice, i think i have figured it out but have not got a chance to actully test my theory yet. as you guys were one of you said, what size is the extension cord... then it hit me, i looked at it and sure enough the cord that i had running everything in the garage is not big enough for the cutter. so im gonna try a different bigger cord tomorrow and report back, thanks for all the advice and ideas

[jreynoldswelding]

Originally Posted by on4now4

Well thanks for all the advice, i think i have figured it out but have not got a chance to actully test my theory yet. as you guys were one of you said, what size is the extension cord... then it hit me, i looked at it and sure enough the cord that i had running everything in the garage is not big enough for the cutter. so im gonna try a different bigger cord tomorrow and report back, thanks for all the advice and ideas

Your welcome. Keep us posted.

[specter]

If the extension cord was warm or hot to the touch then the guage of the wire is too small and the cord may be too long.

[greenbuggy]

If you post your location you might have someone nearby that is knowledgeable and able to help out. Personally I'm terrible at the helpdesk bit and would much rather see a broken piece of equipment in person...

[specter]

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

[on4now4]

alright so new heavy gauge extension cord and still no diffrance. but let me clarify what it is doing so that there is no confussion.

in the basement everything worked perfect.

i moved it to the garage on a small extension cord and it would work but only for a second then it would shut off and make a buzzzzing sound.

then i moved some things just checked connections and stuff, it began not even working for that one second and no longer making a buzzzing sound now it just makes a high pitched eeeeee sound and i believe will spark if i tough the tip to metal. but no plasma...

now i got a bigger extension cord and it made no difference it is still just making the eeeee sound.

now i would like to mention something that has been confusing me i can make it shoot plasma anywere i can burn through metal with no prob at all (when it was working) without having to even connect the ground to anything? i could shoot solid plasma in the open air and never had to strike it on anything... is that normal?

also to answer some questions of yours. the consumables are brand new. never used once and it is a hypotherm max30

I would just like to add you guys are prolly the nicest most friendly and most helpful fourm i have ever visited and i am very glad i found it

as for location i am located in Beverly Hills, Michigan if anyone is close by that could be great!!!

[jreynoldswelding]

I am kinda at a loss myself, what gauge cord is it? What reading are you getting at the cord? I would have taken it all back to the basement by now, just to rule out some stuff....Good luck!

[on4now4]

Originally Posted by jreynoldswelding

I am kinda at a loss myself, what gauge cord is it? What reading are you getting at the cord? I would have taken it all back to the basement by now, just to rule out some stuff....Good luck!

ok, moved it back. same setup exactly and all it does is make a highpitched eeee noise...

[on4now4]

this is the part that seems to be making the noise...

[on4now4]

[on4now4]

ok i guess i cant figure out how to make it fit. but here is the link
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...219_155318.jpg

[RMW]

Maybe you should try posting this in the HyperTherm forum section. JimColt should be able to help you out.

[jimcolt]

First......from the limited picture this unit is not a Powermax30. I cannot tell for sure but it could be a Max20. It is over 20 years old, and likely is not an inverter plasma, rather it is a chopper style power supply. If these units are shorted they can emit a squeeling sound. The short is likely in the torch.

If you call Hypertherm's tech service staff, they will be happy to help you sort it out...they are all very experienced with field troubleshooting of all of Hypertherms products past and present. I am a bit rusty with troubleshooting our older products.....they will be your best choice. Before calling get the model and serial number from the data tag, which is on the rear panel.

Technical Service
technical.service@hypertherm.com
800-643-9878 Tel - Toll Free in USA
and Canada

Jim Colt Hypertherm

[1awert1]

because it worked, then after moving it around it didn't work, i would guess a loose connection someplace (power supply) is first place i would look....Unplug it and open her up ( the plasma cutter, not your wife) look, wiggle wires. If your comfortable with the meter check some points for power....

[on4now4]

Originally Posted by jimcolt

First......from the limited picture this unit is not a Powermax30. I cannot tell for sure but it could be a Max20. It is over 20 years old, and likely is not an inverter plasma, rather it is a chopper style power supply. If these units are shorted they can emit a squeeling sound. The short is likely in the torch.

If you call Hypertherm's tech service staff, they will be happy to help you sort it out...they are all very experienced with field troubleshooting of all of Hypertherms products past and present. I am a bit rusty with troubleshooting our older products.....they will be your best choice. Before calling get the model and serial number from the data tag, which is on the rear panel.

Technical Service
technical.service@hypertherm.com
800-643-9878 Tel - Toll Free in USA
and Canada

Jim Colt Hypertherm

Okay i talked to jake at hypertherm and he was super helpful. we went through everything and checked all the components and it is sounding like the most likely culprit is the solenoid and for some reason it is not letting enough air through to push the consumables apart... which is causing the consumables to short out directly.

so the next step is to determine is the solenoid is indeed bad