Miller Dialarc HF needs to be up near 185 amps for 1/8" E7018 H4R

[Raf]

Just got a used dialarc, Seems a bit underpowered, that is what my buddy says, who welds. I have only burned electrodes two times for about an hour each time.
On DCEP , jumpers set to middle position for 230v, medium power, and started at 50% and would not lite until up at 94%, of 190amps is about 187 amps , then O was able to strike and restrike with success, especilally after the 1/2" piece of a36 got hot.
The power cord is very heavy, maybe a #3 or #4, and the leads are in decent condition.
Welder was wired by an electrician, to a line disconnect , then directly to the 100 amp breaker in the sub panel in out shed.
I bought a amp meter and checked the input line voltage , and it read 212 volts.
I did notice our line from the pole across the street is smaller in diameter, lighter gage, varified by our electrician.
Once we get our permit, the village is supposed to upgrade that line to the size of our line at our service at the house.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Raf

[USMCPOP]

212V with what kind of load?

[cruizer]

The middle position, huh, so which input configuration does it have, a serial # would help. Is it 208/230, 208/230/460, 230/460/575

itll state the configuration on the silver data plate.

[Raf]

Miller dialarc needs 185 amps to burn 1/8" e 7018 4HR

212V with what kind of load?

Was tested at entry of disconnect line , under no load.
will have someone who knows more than I test it.
Just do not know much about electrical.
Thanks
RAf

[cruizer]

No load at 212 would mean that you have a 208 line, NOT a 230

[Raf]

Miller Dialarc needs 185 amps to burn1/8" e7018 h4r

The middle position, huh, so which input configuration does it have, a serial # would help. Is it 208/230, 208/230/460, 230/460/575

itll state the configuration on the silver data plate.

thanks for the help to you both.
Serial # HH091770
the plate says (208v), 230v, 460v
200v,
this is as appears on plate. So the middle position of 230v, that is where the two jumpers are.
What should I be checking ?
thank you,
raf

[cruizer]

Check hot to hot again, to verify the line voltage. You can check this at the disconnect. If it's like 215 or below. The line is 208, and you can switch jumpers at your machine for the proper voltage.

[Raf]

Miller Dialarc 250 HF BURNING E7018 at 185 amps

Will try changing jumper configuration, to 208v. Hopefully this will fix the problem thanks,
Raf

[USMCPOP]

If they upgrade the line, be sure to check the voltage again before using the welder!

[Raf]

Miller dialarc power problems

If they upgrade the line, be sure to check the voltage again before using the welder!

Thanks again,
spoke to village inspector of electric and he said the voltage varies between 212 and 237 and miller tech i spoke to a secound time, suggested that I keep jumpers set for 230v.
10% of 230 is 23 v that is the range for 230v, so 212 is 18v under and machine is ok with that range or fluctuation.
Raf

[Raf]

Miller Dialarc HF NEEDS TO BE UP NEAR 185 amps for E7018 H4R

Thanks again,
spoke to village inspector of electric and he said the voltage varies between 212 and 237 and miller tech i spoke to a secound time, suggested that I keep jumpers set for 230v.
10% of 230 is 23 v that is the range for 230v, so 212 is 18v under and machine is ok with that range or fluctuation.
Raf

Hi guys,
I am a beginner, and confused that two different techs, the latter one being Adrian, and he said the opposite of the first tech.
Leave the jumpers at 230v because there is 10% range for 230v. He also said the machine is old and that is why I have to turn it up 50 amps more or so to get the job done.

First tech told me to change jumpers to 208v.
At some point the village will bring a heavier gage wire from the pole to the house service.
What should I do?
thank you for all and any help you may be able to offer.
Thank You,
raf

[cruizer]

So change the settings and try it out, not going to damage anything. Some machines work better on the 208 setting , some don't. Besides 230 is supposed to run around the 245 Mark. Yours, depending on demand is way low. So try the lower setting out and get back to us

[Raf]

Miller Dialarc HF needs to be st to 185 amps to burn 1/8" E7018 H4R lincln excalibr.

So change the settings and try it out, not going to damage anything. Some machines work better on the 208 setting , some don't. Besides 230 is supposed to run around the 245 Mark. Yours, depending on demand is way low. So try the lower setting out and get back to us

Noticed a difference right away.
We changed the jumper placement to 208, and we only needed to go up as high as 84% of the medium setting, in the equation for the exact number of amps.
Thank You Cruiser,
do you think the unit is running ok.
The prior owner who is trained to weld,
Said it felt better at the power he set it at, which is like 84% of 150 amps? That is the medium setting with the range of 40-190 amps. Set at DCEP , using 1/8" e7018 mr. Also, just laying beads flat on a 1/2" thick a36 or 3/16" thick 1018, on a 10" by 10" by 1/2" lying under the pieces that am using as practice laying beads on, all on a portable welding table, with the ground clamped snug to the corner of the table.
Thank you , any other advice would be great.
Do you feel it warrants a home visit by a certified miller technician?
raf

[Raf]

Miller dialarc HF needs to be up near 185 amps for 1/8" E7018 H4R

So change the settings and try it out, not going to damage anything. Some machines work better on the 208 setting , some don't. Besides 230 is supposed to run around the 245 Mark. Yours, depending on demand is way low. So try the lower setting out and get back to us

Thank You very much, Cruizer,
211v under no load, changing the jumpers did it.
Welded again today, and a big difference, the electrode holder stayed comfortable, instead of really hot.
I have one Question though, will it damage anything if , when the village upgrades the gage of the power line from the pole to our service, and might increase the voltage, closer to 240?
Thank You, for all the great advice you have given
raf

[cruizer]

Won't damage anything, you'll notice a difference as the fan will run somewhat faster. When that happens, then you can change the jumpers. Really expensive having the village change out the power, for something newer, so it's doubtful they will do it without a substantial cash flow.