Weldanpower 150 help

[tkevan]

Have a 150 AC only. Runs, and has power to the front panel, but welds like poo. Sorta runs a 1/8 7018 cranked to 150, but a really unstable arc that barely stays lit. I tested the field capacitor and cleaned the rings/brushes, and the tap contacts, but can't figure how to get the selector shaft out to clean/inspect that portion. Any help on that would be appreciated, along with anything else that would make this thing weld like my old Red crackerbox?

Thanks,
Troy

[ccawgc]

Try 7018AC rod. 7018 rod is for DC power. will weld on ac if the weld voltage is high enough 80vac plus ocv. If your welder is around 60ac you will have a hard time keeping the arc going if you can get it started.
OR try some 6011 in the same size rod. If that welds good. switch to the 7018AC rod.

[tkevan]

Try 7018AC rod. 7018 rod is for DC power. will weld on ac if the weld voltage is high enough 80vac plus ocv. If your welder is around 60ac you will have a hard time keeping the arc going if you can get it started.
OR try some 6011 in the same size rod. If that welds good. switch to the 7018AC rod.

73v is what I get on the meter. Rod is 7018ac. 6011 doesn’t run much better.

[tkevan]

73v is what I get on the meter. Rod is 7018ac. 6011 doesn’t run much better.

After posting that, I started second guessing myself. Went out and actually looked at the rods, not the plastic container I refill. Yep, you nailed it. E7018, not 7018ac.😳 Fresh box of Lincoln 1/8 7018ac from my local Big Box store, and she’s good to go at 105a. I guess I just suck at 6011.

Thanks for the prod.

[tkevan]

So I bought this 150 from a guy. Ac only, but I only need it for the occasional repair on the property, so I paid his asking price of 500. Probably a bit high for a Briggs unit, but it was converted to electric start, and he's helped me out in the past, so I didn't haggle. Question is, what do I need to do for maintenance on the welding end, other than cleaning the slip rings, and making sure the brushes are moving freely? First engine drive.

Thanks.