Solderer
I'm not electronics repair savvy but am curious and always ready to learn. Being that my Mig 170 was suitable for my uses prior to my present wire feed issue. I'm wondering if a reputable (non HF) control board and wire drive can be incorporated to or with my Mig 170. Internally or externally. I ordered a replacement wire drive using online product measurements. Won't arrive until September. Presently looking for the stock board(Mig ZkB ver. 7.1) I don't have much faith in the replacement parts so I'm more interested in doing some upgrades if practical or possible. Thanks! ronno5957.
Master Welder
Most will add capacitors
My self found this welder out box works great
I did upgrade the main relay to 30 amp
Longer ground and upgrade ground clamp
Last was a 30FT power cord
This welder will last a long time by cleaning w/air at less once a year
Dave
Originally Posted by ronno5957
Last edited by smithdoor; 08-21-2018 at 10:40 PM.
Solderer
The HF Mig 170 seems to have issues. Control board,wire feed and gun.I have a non functioning Mig 170. I'm looking to a possible upgrade to a reliable,hardy control board and wire feed system in order to have an operating mig welder. Later a gun from USWeld. If and only i can get the Mig 170 functioning as before the existing wire feed issue. I certainly will take advantage of the proven mods. There is certain pride and sense of accomplishment in resurrecting or repurposing a machine or device for use.
Thanks! ronno5957
Master Welder
The HF 170 Does not have issues
Some does not follow the manual and keeping the welder This true with all welders
The welder will last long than most of new type today.
This welder has very good transformer and choke witch is harbor all welders
Dave
WeldingWeb Craftsman
A 170 (or 180) just is what it is. Almost-pro but not quite. OK for the DIY'er or occasional user.
In particular the wire feed motor isn't very powerful so staying with the short stinger cable might be a good idea. There isn't a more powerful replacement motor available, and if one were installed the circuit boards would smoke trying to power it.
On my 180 (same drive motor and boards) I find the longer replacement stinger cable has to be nearly straight to feed smoothly. That's a reasonable compromise for what I paid for the welder, used, but I wouldn't stick with this model if I welded for a living.
* Amico MIG-130A Flux, Dual Voltage. Truly portable!
* HF MIG-180 with all the mods. Heavy.
* Grizzly H8153 Stick/Tig 130/160.
* Wards PowrKraft AC-230. Stick & carbon arc.
Master Welder
When I living with welding the mig welder was Airco 250 amp single phase cost today around $3,000.00 pluss a Miler wire feeder 30 B about $1,000.00. It use ever day for 0ver 30 years.
The HF170 is for home use and do not need a forklift to the welder just one hand. The price great too, on sale I paid $170.00
Dave
Last edited by smithdoor; 08-22-2018 at 06:56 PM.
Solderer
I know this is an older post, but did you ever find an acceptable replacement control board? My MIG 170 just took a crapper. Blew a diode in the rectifier so I ordered an Ali Express part for that. Get it up and running and the motor won't feed. I have bench tested. Everything operates except some fail between motor power wires from the rectifier. I can jumper to the motor and it spins, obviously with no speed control. I have verified power to/from speed control knob. Not sure I'm good enough to solder the repair kit in the board.
WeldingWeb Craftsman
Did you see smithdoor's wiring diagram in the other recent 170 thread?
https://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthrea...58#post8778258
His modification might bypass your problem.
* Amico MIG-130A Flux, Dual Voltage. Truly portable!
* HF MIG-180 with all the mods. Heavy.
* Grizzly H8153 Stick/Tig 130/160.
* Wards PowrKraft AC-230. Stick & carbon arc.
Master Welder
Can you post a few photos
Dave
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