New Vulcan Protig 205 - flows gas but no arc??

[1StopJeff]

I purchased a Vulcan ProTig 205 set it up and it turns on, when I step on the pedal I get gas flowing through the torch but no arc. I have tried AC and DC but no luck. Any ideas?

[G-ManBart]

Does the HF fire at all? It probably won't help, but I'd try scratch starting it....hit the pedal then swipe the tungsten off the work piece. If you still don't get an arc I'd just take it back for a replacement. Actually, that's probably what I would do either way, but it would be interesting to know if it will actually produce an arc.

[1StopJeff]

This is actually the second one, they both did the same thing so it must be something I am doing wrong.

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[shovelon]

I have not had mine turned on in weeks. Check and see if there is a preflow window. If so it may have a very long preflow. Then see if you can turn it down. Then if you turn it down, power the machine off and see if it remembers. My employees mess with my Dynastys on occasion and wreck the preflow setting.

[1StopJeff]

The preflow window is set to 0.3 seconds and post flow is set to 3 seconds.

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[Oscar]

Is the work clamp hooked up? Pics of everything would really help.

[1StopJeff]

Yes the clamp is hooked up. I even tried touching the torch directly to the clamp. I will add pics tomorrow.

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[shovelon]

The preflow window is set to 0.3 seconds and post flow is set to 3 seconds.

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Whoa, 3 second post flow is too little.

[shovelon]

I guess I would power the machine up, strike an arc in the air, then let the post flow run out. Touch tungsten to the metal and lift some 1/16" and hit the pedal. If you are trying to lift arc, the machine will not let you do it. And if the machine will not light up with a gap, it will also turn itself off. That is a self protection feature.

By the way, I really hate the pedal. Used it a few weeks ago on a gate build and standing on the pedal is almost impossible.

[1StopJeff]

It wont strike an arc in the air, it wont arc anywhere. I am running a 75/25 argon/CO2 mix, could that be the issue? This is so weird to have 2 units do the exact same thing. I have tried it on 220v and 110v and it acts the same way. https://images.platforum.cloud/uploads/202...ac78f7d24d.jpg

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[G-ManBart]

It wont strike an arc in the air, it wont arc anywhere. I am running a 75/25 argon/CO2 mix, could that be the issue? This is so weird to have 2 units do the exact same thing. I have tried it on 220v and 110v and it acts the same way. https://images.platforum.cloud/uploads/202...ac78f7d24d.jpg

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I don't know if the gas will prevent an arc from starting, but you can't TIG weld with 75/25. You need 100% argon....you can use helium or helium/argon blends, but they're expensive and not something a beginner needs to worry about.

[Dashwelding]

I'm having the exact same problem with the protig 205. This is the second one that did this this week. I had the first on for almost 2 months with no problems under daily use. I returned it and got a replacement and 2 days later, I have the same problem. I assumed that I was using it too long for the duty cycle on the first one, so was very careful not to use it for more than one pass without giving it a 10 minute break while running ac tig at 170. After about 6 2inch passes it died last night again. I checked all the wiring, ground a new area for my grounding clamp to make sure it was properly grounded, tried scratch starting it and still nothing. After attempting to scratch start it the machine screen started to blink on and off continuously until I turned it off and on. Pressed the reset button and still nothing. This one won't create an arc at all, but the last one would make a inconsistent chattering arc but not strong enough to weld with. This is a major problem for me because I use this welder to run my business. I'll return it today and get another one and hopefully this will be the last time I have a problem. I'm definitely going to leave a this exact same review on the harbor freight website.

[G-ManBart]

This is a major problem for me because I use this welder to run my business. I'll return it today and get another one and hopefully this will be the last time I have a problem. I'm definitely going to leave a this exact same review on the harbor freight website.

I sure wouldn't bet my business on that. At the very least I would dump that HF machine and get a Primeweld 225....you don't see review after review with them not working out of the box, breaking after only a handful of uses, etc. Honestly, I wouldn't even trust that level of machine for business use, but they seem to have far fewer problems than the other cheap imported machines.

[TJS]

When are you people going to learn after the first one get your money back and go elsewhere. I got a DOA one and had to argue to get my full refund back. They wanted to charge me a restocking fee. NOPE I would not accept that.