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Hello everyone,
I've lurked on the forum for a few years, but this is my first post. I hate to ask for help with my first post, but ....
My Syncrowave 200 has gone nuts. I've had it for several years, I'd estimate about 20-30 hours use (I've never actually checked the run time), and until recently it has worked perfectly. Sometimes it will sit several months between use. About a year ago I started having what I'd call HF problems. At first, the HF arc won't start properly, or will start then suddenly drop out and cut off.
Sometimes the only way to get the arc going again is to bump the tungsten to the work piece, causing a start, then continuing on. Usually, after a few times of doing this, it will work fine for the rest of the day. in short, a little flaky at first, but it usually straightens up. I've been dealing with it for a while, but it's getting worse. I really had a time with it the other day, and I have to fix it.
To that end, I decided to take a peek inside and check the gap on the tungstens. I've never had the cover off before today. It had a slight bit of dust, as expected, but everything else looked fine. There was a little bit of corrosion around the tips of the three tungsten pieces, so I gently cleaned the crud with a wire brush, reinstalled, and set the gap per the manual. I also gently blew out the dust with shop air. Gently......not a violent windstorm of air.
When I powered it on, it's gone nuts. The display lights up all segments of the numbers, and all the process lights are lit up. The unit hums, but all the displays stay lit and nothing else happens. I did not take anything lose, and did not bump or bend anything inside.
I've checked for lose plugs, connections, etc....nada. I've tried a different torch, swapped pedal for hand control, no change. The only thing I do find strange is that the ceramic coil mounted to the back wall (there are two that I see, one on the back wall and one near the transformer) is getting awfully hot. In a matter of a few minutes, you cant touch it. I don't know if that's normal or not, as I've never been inside the machine. I'm wondering if my control board has pooped the bed. It's seems logical, but I'm just guessing.
I know there are some good techs on this forum. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I may end up having to take this to a local miller dealer, but I really don't want to have to use them. I had an Econotig before my 200. and years ago they raped me for about $800. I brought the machine in 3 times in less than two months for the same problem. Each time they said it was something different, and still the problem was never fixed. I ended up finding it myself....it was a loose connection on the 14 pin connector. Needless to say, I don't have much faith in them. Unfortunately, they are the only game in town.
I hope I've provided enough information to get started with troubleshooting. Will add more as we go.
Thanks, FD.
I've lurked on the forum for a few years, but this is my first post. I hate to ask for help with my first post, but ....
My Syncrowave 200 has gone nuts. I've had it for several years, I'd estimate about 20-30 hours use (I've never actually checked the run time), and until recently it has worked perfectly. Sometimes it will sit several months between use. About a year ago I started having what I'd call HF problems. At first, the HF arc won't start properly, or will start then suddenly drop out and cut off.
Sometimes the only way to get the arc going again is to bump the tungsten to the work piece, causing a start, then continuing on. Usually, after a few times of doing this, it will work fine for the rest of the day. in short, a little flaky at first, but it usually straightens up. I've been dealing with it for a while, but it's getting worse. I really had a time with it the other day, and I have to fix it.
To that end, I decided to take a peek inside and check the gap on the tungstens. I've never had the cover off before today. It had a slight bit of dust, as expected, but everything else looked fine. There was a little bit of corrosion around the tips of the three tungsten pieces, so I gently cleaned the crud with a wire brush, reinstalled, and set the gap per the manual. I also gently blew out the dust with shop air. Gently......not a violent windstorm of air.
When I powered it on, it's gone nuts. The display lights up all segments of the numbers, and all the process lights are lit up. The unit hums, but all the displays stay lit and nothing else happens. I did not take anything lose, and did not bump or bend anything inside.
I've checked for lose plugs, connections, etc....nada. I've tried a different torch, swapped pedal for hand control, no change. The only thing I do find strange is that the ceramic coil mounted to the back wall (there are two that I see, one on the back wall and one near the transformer) is getting awfully hot. In a matter of a few minutes, you cant touch it. I don't know if that's normal or not, as I've never been inside the machine. I'm wondering if my control board has pooped the bed. It's seems logical, but I'm just guessing.
I know there are some good techs on this forum. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I may end up having to take this to a local miller dealer, but I really don't want to have to use them. I had an Econotig before my 200. and years ago they raped me for about $800. I brought the machine in 3 times in less than two months for the same problem. Each time they said it was something different, and still the problem was never fixed. I ended up finding it myself....it was a loose connection on the 14 pin connector. Needless to say, I don't have much faith in them. Unfortunately, they are the only game in town.
I hope I've provided enough information to get started with troubleshooting. Will add more as we go.
Thanks, FD.
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