Plasma Torch Cable Damage

[G-ManBart]

Recently I bought a welder at an auction and they had a box of extras that went with it. When I got home I found there was a plasma torch at the bottom of the box. I recalled seeing a plasma cutter listed, but didn't bid on it, so I went back and found that it was a Miller Spectrum 2050. This torch appears to be the correct Miller ICE-55C. It's in pretty good shape overall, but there's one rub/burn mark through the cable outer shield. The pressurized air should be through the center tubing, not through the rubber hose, right? In theory this torch should still work, or am I missing something? I saw that replacements are ridiculously expensive, so I was planning to sell it really cheap if it can still be used, but wanted to ask about the damage first. Sorry the pics are rotated...I forgot this forum doesn't have the plugin to correct for phone picture orientation....d'oh.

[Welder Dave]

You would need to try the torch to see if it works. Might be a good reason it was in a box with other stuff.

[M J D]

There's a few different things that could be bad on it. Wiring, switch, air hose, pin connector and the electrode seat area. I can't imagine someone would replace a perfect working torch. They most likely kept it for parts.

[G-ManBart]

You would need to try the torch to see if it works. Might be a good reason it was in a box with other stuff.

That's a possibility, for sure. This place shut down and as best I can tell the auction company was the one who put the lots together and they had no clue about welding. There was an air compressor hose coiled up on top of the welder as though it belonged...LOL.

I'm not out anything either way, I'd just hate to toss it in the trash if it might have life left in it considering how expensive they are new.

[Welder Dave]

I'm not sure if a welder repair shop could test it or not. It's possible just the cover is damaged.

[ronsii]

What I would do... cut the remaining cover off and extra couple inches each way the clean up the wires and very carefully check them for ANY kind of failure!!! best way is use a good HV ohm meter... other wise test it on an actual machine if possible. I have seen what happens when someone drags a torch cord over a sharp edge and tries to use it.... ZAP!!! depending on the machine it can kill it too

IF everything checks out ok then get some good sealing heat shrink that you can slide down form the torch end(with it removed) and seal it up... one or even two layers should make a nice repair.. I like to use two with the first one being just long enough to cover only the exposed wires then a second layer a couple inches longer each direction.

[Rondo]

I usually fick these with liquid electrical tape and as stated above, Shrink tube. Or liquid elect tape to seal everything and then just tape it up. This torch ( made by Hypertherm ) will also fira Hypertherm with the same connector. You just need to move one of the pins.

[BillE.Dee]

put some air pressure (50psi) to the center of the machine connector and use some soapy water to see if it is leaking air at the damaged area. Use an ohm meter to check for shorts. Probably the auction company doesn't know a stinger from a wringer.

[scsmith42]

If you sell it I may be interested. I've been working through some issues with my 2050 and the torch is next.

[jeverich]

Funny, looks identical to my torch on my Hypertherm Powermax 600... wonder if Miller farmed them out?

Had a similar burn when I picked it up - used high quality butyl tape and electrical tape - then covered the entire length of hose with firehose. Works well. Not entirely flame proof, but more than enough for what I do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ccawgc]

Back when this torch and plasma machines where being built. Hypertherm and Miller were quietly working together.
Hypertherm was building the torches and making consumables. and ITW was building the plasma machines for Miller and Hypertherm. The 2050 was built by ITW or powcon depending on how old it is. the 50 amp machine is based on powcon designs and the 55amp on updated miller designs.