dynasty 200dx trouble

[Hobbyist]

I'm having trouble getting an arc again. This time nothing seems to fix it. To eliminate grounding as an issue, I'm trying to weld on a small piece of tube about 2" from my ground clamp. I've checked the cable connections. I resharpened the tungsten. No arc.

I'm using hf. With lift arc I can get an arc.

When I step on the pedal, the machine makes a noise but no arc. Is the hf dead?

[Hobbyist]

Well, after writing that I went back to the welder, turned it back on and it worked. I had left everything exactly as it was. The only change was I turned it off, waited 5 min, and turned it back on.

Unless someone has a better explanation, it looks to me like my welder is pretty flaky.

[Hobbyist]

Superstitiously ground my tungsten again and it's been working flawlessly since. Can it really be that sensitive to the condition of the tungsten that it won't run at all if the tungsten isn't just so? I'm not expecting perfection with the grinding technology I'm applying, but I am expecting an arc. It was actually not one but two tungstens that I had ground that failed to arc. And after regrinding both, they both arc now.

[HAWK]

Hobbyist,

It is possible you have a problem with the machine. You can also have "bad" tungsten. Here are a couple of things to try,

1. Go to your manual and check the procedure for resetting the machine to FACTORY DEFAULTS. I think it is around page 25. Complete the prodcedure. It is simple and quick. If you are having a start parameter problem, this should fix it.

2. Buy some Sylvania tungsten or a premium quality german tungsten or email me and I'll cut and grind some good tungsten and send it to you at no charge. I'll even pay the postage. Can you send a picture of your ground tungsten you are using before and after striking the arc?

If all this fails, call DAVE FISHER in at Miller. Call 1 800 4 A MILLER. I know its too many digits, but it works. They may transfer you or give you the phone number which is long distance for most of us. Don't mentioned warranty or machine problems. Ask to speak with Dave in TIG applications. Tell him I referred you and see what he thinks. FIRST TRY STEPS 1 AND 2.

[HAWK]

Hobbyist,

Here is the link to the manual:

http://www.millerwelds.com./om/o2240j_mil.pdf


the reset to FACTORY DEFAULTS is on page 34. Let us know.

[HAWK]

Hobbyist,

So what is going on with the D200DX? Is all well? Anxious waiting.

[Hobbyist]

Finally got a chance to weld a little last night and it worked fine. So I haven't tried your recommendations yet Hawk. Next time it acts up I will.

I have confirmed that if I have a really bad ground it behaves the same. But when I'm trying to create the problem intentionally, I have to make the ground really quite bad. And when it's acting up I can't get an arc on the ground clamp.

So your suggestions in the direction of the tungsten or power supply seem on the right track.

Are inverters more sensitive to tungsten quality/preparation than non-inverters?

[paulrbrown]

Hobbyist, It is possible that the preflow time is causing you to 'double push' the footpedal to get the arc to start. The start position '2t' I believe, the middle one on the Dynasty200dx, is the one which starts amperage,preflow,rampup if selected, with one touch, then when you let off it stays that way until you touch again, if you do a double click on foot pedal/switch, it will go into the rampdown[if selected] amperage off,postflow mode, nothing will happen if you push again until postflow is complete. I had this problem when first using mine, thought the same thing you did, 'something wrong', it was just me, I was not used to not having to keep foot on foot pedal...Anyway, let me know if this solves the 'mystery', I hope I was clear enough, Paul

[HAWK]

paulbrown,

Good Point!

[HAWK]

Originally posted by Hobbyist

Are inverters more sensitive to tungsten quality/preparation than non-inverters?

Not really. I honestly cannot say I have noticed much difference in that respect. They do offer a wider usage range as far as tungsten alloys. The better quality tungsten and prep you have the better weld quality you will achieve given that all factors remain constant.