Broken Dynasty Dx, Code 8 2ndary Pwr Src/ $2000 To Fix???!!!! Help!

[TEAMKLR2BAR]

my local miller dealer told me that it could be up to and probably will be over $2000 to fix my Dynasty DX. I was welding aluminum and it threw the code 8 and stopped welding. They said it is probably one of the circuit boards or some cappicitors. If it is an outrageous ammount to fix is there anywhere that I can purchase the parts myslef and do the repair myself? I have an EET degree and am familiar with the work, just didn't have the equipment to test. That is rediculous! I would be better off to just purchase a new welder, but who has that kind of cash laying around? Please help.

[hankj]

Before you make any decisions, call Miller direct and talk to customer service. 1-800-4-A-MILLER (1-800-426-4553).

Hank

[ASKANDY]

I would agree! Call miller Service!
A help 8 can also come from using the wrong tungsten. I just did a service call on the same thing. They put the wrong tungsten in it and it worked a couple times then spit out the Help 8.

I doubt your unit is out of warranty. Is it over 3yrs old??

Andy

[dyn88]

many people have had problems when using pure tungsten which is not approved for the dynasty series welders. Some people who have had this problem didnt read their owners manual which clearly states not to use pure tungsten, while this may not be the case in your situation, please be aware that the owners manual also covers other subjects that may be important to the longevity of your miller product.

[TEAMKLR2BAR]

ok, first of all thanks! Let me explain alittle more. This welder is the Dynasty DX, it was purchased in 99'! It is my work's welder, they do not have the instruction manual or I would have read it front to back before using. I was using pure tungsten. Thing is that is what they have always used.

One more thing. The welder would still weld if you cranked the amperage. After you started welding and stopped a couple of times it would throw the code. It would throw the code immediatley if you had the amperage turned down.

[Too_Many_Tools]

Interesting development...

I hope you have a positive ending to this story.

Please let us know how it turns out.

Considering that the Dynasty series is a popular inverter welder, it will be interesting to see how this story ends since it is out of warranty.

Andy, is the amount mentioned for repair typical for inverter repairs?

TMT

[fun4now]

manual

i think you can download a manual from the miller site.as for your work always using pure it seems old habbits die hard, harder when they take the welder with them.1.5% lanthanated will not only work better but last longer ,saving the company $$ in the long run. a good argument to get them to change to 1.5%
good luck hopfuly the change will work for you
cant hurt to try it.could save some seriouse $$ on repairs.

[fun4now]

you can also order a printed manual from miller for $15.00

[TEAMKLR2BAR]

yes, i will purchase a manual if there is no problem. So based on what you all are telling me, I should get the welder back and use different tungsten to see if that solves the problem. The only question that these thoughts don't answer is: The fact that my company has been using pure tungsten for 10 years on this machine with no problems. Of coarse once I use it it has a problem! haha. The only difference in my use and the other use is the shape of tungsten. I didn't know not to ball the tungsten so I balled it, thinking that they had their tungsten shaped wrong. haha Could that have been the final catalists?

[dyn88]

possibly that was the culprit. Not to cause turmoil but I dont think that they have been using pure tungsten for the past ten years in the machine, you stated that the machine was purchased in 1999. sorry if this seems mean, or abrasive, It is not a personell attack and should not be taken personally.

[fun4now]

balling bad, real bad

balling the tung is realy bad on this welder,it overworks it. it is the only problem that has been seen here with the dyn.200DX.when we were trying to help that person he got his feelings hurt when he realized his many years of welding experiance made him the problem.so he resorted to atacking thouse that were trying to help him,then disapeard.
if it still works a little then i would try it with 1.5% ground the right way and call miller for help like ANDY said.keeping your fingers crossed wouldnt hurt LOL good luck hope all works out ok.
you should grind it to a point then put a small flat spot on the tip.

with new tecnoligy comes new ways of doing things

[ASKANDY]

NO pure Tungsten. Period. If they were using it with this machine, then they were dodging a bullet all this time. Could it be that they were using the pure tung in another machine? Also, balling will usually always cause this problem. Go get your machine back....it's probably fine.

Like I said, I just did a service call on the same issue. The guy had some tungsten from his old Syncrowave and used that instead of the Thoriated or Ceriated. He had Help 8s all day.

Hope this helps
Andy

[Too_Many_Tools]

Hopefully the change in tungsten will help but if a balled tungsten has significantly stressed the machine, it would seem just a matter of time before the welder does have serious problems due to early component failure.

It still would not explain why the repair center didn't catch this pure vs. Thoriated/Ceriated tungsten issue. I would think it would be a common one as experienced users transition over to the Dynasty series and attempt to use their existing tungsten despite what the manual says.

It also highlights what the consequences are when your warranty dries up and a significant problem occurs....(...one of the circuit boards or some cappicitors... = $2000 repair bill = throwaway welder).

Andy...

What does a "Help 8" actually tell a user? Helpful software, right? :<)

Also, why can't the Dynasty use a balled pure tungsten? Too much current?

One last point...if your design staffs doesn't monitor this and the Hobart board, they really should. Seeing what field problems arise first hand would help make Miller products even better than they are now.

TMT

[RST200]

I bought an inverter tig a couple months ago. My experience with a few welding shops is that they are not up to speed on current technology. The local shops that I went to did not have much knowledge or experience. So I bought from IOC online. T/A 185. When I asked what tungsten I should buy for aluminum and chromoly, he (I talked to Bill) recommended 2% thoriated and pure. I bought an assortment of each. Well... it appears that I should never have bought pure. I'm sure they have sold alot of inverters and should know better. I've bought other items from IOC and had positive experiences. I'm not really complaining. Just bringing up a personel obeservation on inverter knowlege and experience at the local welding shops. By the way the shops that I've been going are not small mom and pop shops, these are good size operations...mulitple locations...been in business a long time. The local shop only stocks 2% thoriated and pure (said langthenated is special order).



I guess what I'm getting at is....I am really glad for this site and all the great people that contribute their vast knowledge. I've learned more here about products than at the shops.

Ryui

[Too_Many_Tools]

As one of our members point out....

"you can never know enough "

I too consider this board to be an EXCELLENT resource.

If Lincoln is on the ball, they too will (or should) have a similar resource available.

TMT