Lincoln Electric SP135 PLUS

[new2weldin]

Help help
Troubleshooting lincoln electric sp135 plus voltage loss when trying to weld.
I have welding voltage at 18 -29 v at torch wire feeds fine when trigger is pressed, I lose voltage ( goes to 0 ) when I touch the work. when I let trigger go voltage goes back to welding volts.
I'm lost. I hope someone out there can help. Oh I have no welding voltage at tip and wire unless trigger is pressed

[Insaneride]

Do you have good power going to machine? Is it on an extension cord? Is the ground/work clamp making a good connection?

[John T]

curious
are you running flux or solid wire?

is the polarity correct and the lugs tight?

[new2weldin]

Thanks for responding Insaneride,
Yes I have 120 AC volts to Outlet, Mig plugged in directly to outlet, I strike wire to the work clamp itself with same results. It sparks and a little burn back and welding voltage drops to 0. I lift wire of work clamp voltage goes to welding voltage asper desired setting.

[new2weldin]

Yes Polarity is correct and I am using flux core wire

[new2weldin]

Thanks John Lug are tight as well. I did notice the Lugs have a nut under the lead then a wing nut to secure the lead to lug.

[new2weldin]

THANKS 131re, I had the volt meter on the Lugs alone, then to the leads, one on tip and one on work clap. I reads the same voltsge at both location at any desired volt setting. Once I touch the work (under a load) the voltage drops to 0, Wire feeds as it should and continues even when the voltage drops.
I'll try your test tomorrow and let you know.

[new2weldin]

UPDATE replaced torch cable and it welds like new.
After spending hours and hours days and days tests and tests it turns out it was frayed wire in torch cable.