Problem with my power-mate welder

[davidplee]

I have a power-mate 160amp wire feed welder, the problem that i am have is when you let go of the trigger the wire stops feeding, but their is still power on the wire its self, so if you touch the wire to the material that your welding it will spark the (model number is 117-009)

[CAVEMANN]

Is this a new problem? With some cheapie welders the wire stays electically hot.

[tapwelder]

Flux core? Put a nozzle on it. There are some plastic insulators.

Not sure it is supposed to be live all the time. But if it welds and you dont want to repair it a clean nozzle will protect from arcing.

[davidplee]

Yes this is a new problem just started a few weeks ago.

[ccawgc]

Sound like the solid state relay has shorted out. or the control signal to it is on all the time. Should be a 1.5 x 2.0 inch block with 4 screw terminals. two small wires and two large. One large wire comes from the line switch the other goes to the voltage switch. terminals 1 and 2. terminals 3 and 4 are the gate signal connections.
Might use a 3 to 24vdc signal. read label on ssr. should give the range the gate voltage will be.
In stand by should see line voltage across 1 and 2. With power off disconnect one of the gate leads and tape it up. turn welder on and see if wire is hot and sparks.
If wire is hot SSR is shorted. if cold (no power) control pcb has a problem.
Call 1-866-236-0044 Century tech support division of Lincoln electric.
They can email you a manual and parts list and tell you what parts are still available.