EMP 215ic problem

[chevy3100truck]

So..... have had an EMP215ic for about 18 months and it had been flawless until today.

I tacked some parts together using smig with the unit plugged into 120v. I went to do the final welds I shut the machine off and plugged it into 230.

After doing this I could not get a real arc to start. Basically the wire feed would work but there was very little power, basically the wire would turn red as it hit the metal but not melt. I noticed the display was now showing 255 amps & 63.7 bolts any time I tried to strike an arc. After going through everything (checking the torch, ground, connections, voltage at the plug, factory reset) the machine worked normally for about 2 minutes, then went back to crap. I've tried regular mig settings, hooking it up to 120V again and got nothing. When the wire was feeding into the metal there was a very high pitched sound coming from it.

I switched over to TIG to try and finish the project, got about 3" of Weld done no problems, then it went back to extremely low power & a high pitched noise.

Any suggestions? Shop where I bought it told me to expect 12-18 weeks for warranty work right now, and that isn't going to work.

Thanks

[Rondo]

So..... have had an EMP215ic for about 18 months and it had been flawless until today.

I tacked some parts together using smig with the unit plugged into 120v. I went to do the final welds I shut the machine off and plugged it into 230.

After doing this I could not get a real arc to start. Basically the wire feed would work but there was very little power, basically the wire would turn red as it hit the metal but not melt. I noticed the display was now showing 255 amps & 63.7 bolts any time I tried to strike an arc. After going through everything (checking the torch, ground, connections, voltage at the plug, factory reset) the machine worked normally for about 2 minutes, then went back to crap. I've tried regular mig settings, hooking it up to 120V again and got nothing. When the wire was feeding into the metal there was a very high pitched sound coming from it.

I switched over to TIG to try and finish the project, got about 3" of Weld done no problems, then it went back to extremely low power & a high pitched noise.

Any suggestions? Shop where I bought it told me to expect 12-18 weeks for warranty work right now, and that isn't going to work.

Thanks

Ridiculous turn around for warranty. Best call ESAB and see what they say. They will likely not have a better answer.

[ccawgc]

i have been waiting almost a month for a control pcb. Esab has been waiting for their shipment from China.
suppose to have arrived yesterday at ESAB

[Rondo]

i have been waiting almost a month for a control pcb. Esab has been waiting for their shipment from China.
suppose to have arrived yesterday at ESAB

I feel for you. I sleep better knowing I sold my 215i

[crassul]

The esab service is very close to nothing. Better buy some other name brands.
Machine is ok, but once something happens, very little chances to get it back to work.

[Andycapps]

So..... have had an EMP215ic for about 18 months and it had been flawless until today.

I tacked some parts together using smig with the unit plugged into 120v. I went to do the final welds I shut the machine off and plugged it into 230.

After doing this I could not get a real arc to start. Basically the wire feed would work but there was very little power, basically the wire would turn red as it hit the metal but not melt. I noticed the display was now showing 255 amps & 63.7 bolts any time I tried to strike an arc. After going through everything (checking the torch, ground, connections, voltage at the plug, factory reset) the machine worked normally for about 2 minutes, then went back to crap. I've tried regular mig settings, hooking it up to 120V again and got nothing. When the wire was feeding into the metal there was a very high pitched sound coming from it.

I switched over to TIG to try and finish the project, got about 3" of Weld done no problems, then it went back to extremely low power & a high pitched noise.

Any suggestions? Shop where I bought it told me to expect 12-18 weeks for warranty work right now, and that isn't going to work.

Thanks

Hey I’m having a similar problem with my emp 215ic and was wondering if you found a solution to the problem? Thanks.

[ccawgc]

Might be a failed output diode.
If in warranty call ESAB tech support and ask for a list of repair centers that might be near you. If you are in northern California and Nevada. PM me and I will tell you how to get the welder to me. Only hold up on a warranty repairs right now is ESAB having the parts needed. I can look at most machines with in 24 hours right now.

[chevy3100truck]

Well- It took 5 months, and I never did find out the problem, but ESAB sent a complete replacement welder out. Luckily the shop I bought it from had provided a loaner while my was out for warrant

[Woznme]

Well- It took 5 months, and I never did find out the problem, but ESAB sent a complete replacement welder out. Luckily the shop I bought it from had provided a loaner while my was out for warrant

Here we have a great example of the benefits of buying good brand name power sources from a good bricks and mortar LWS. Brand name means multiple service centre options, parts/replacement availability and a loan machine from your LWS if things look like dragging out. 5 months is too long, they could have sent a new machine straight away, but at least you were able to keep working while time was burning.

Single source mail order machines may have a low entry point price but there are the shipping costs for warranty service (if any is available at all) and no loan machine so you can't work. Costs more in the end.