Hey, all,
I have a 2010 Syncrowave 250DX that I bought new (stock number 907194-03-2 with serial number prefix MA) five years and six months ago that suddenly has some problems with HF start. (Machine has very low hours, as I am still just a hobbyist.)
If I put it in DCEN and HF Start, it won't start the arc. I also noticed that although I can hear something activating in the machine when I hit the pedal (it sounds like big caps being charged or discharged), the overhead fluorescent tubes don't "flicker" like they used to always do when I hit the pedal. However, if I scratch-start with it set this way, it will weld, and I do have pedal amperage throttle control.
If I put it in AC and HF Continuous, same deal: It won't start when I hit the pedal, but if I hold the pedal down, I can scratch-start, and it will start and sustain the arc, so I assume the HF is working continuously, otherwise, it wouldn't be able to sustain the AC arc, right?
I welded for a minute or two in AC with HF continuous, thinking that maybe the dew in my shop had gotten into the HF points, and maybe running the HF on continuously would dry them out, but that didn't seem to make any difference.
Then I went back to DCEN and set the HF to continuous. Tried to start using the pedal. No go. Scratch-started and welded that way for a minute or so, hoping that the HF on continuous would dry out the HF points, but again, it didn't do any good.
I verified:
Argon on (and yes it's straight argon, I've been using this bottle successfully for months)
Everything in torch is tight.
DINSE connectors tight.
Good ground on work clamp (I also tried to light up directly on the work clamp)
Tried a few different tungstens, and a few different collets and collet bodies. No love.
Can anyone give me any clues on how to diagnose or fix this machine? My LWS is 70 miles away and getting this beast to them would be a nightmare. Thanks in advance.
I have a 2010 Syncrowave 250DX that I bought new (stock number 907194-03-2 with serial number prefix MA) five years and six months ago that suddenly has some problems with HF start. (Machine has very low hours, as I am still just a hobbyist.)
If I put it in DCEN and HF Start, it won't start the arc. I also noticed that although I can hear something activating in the machine when I hit the pedal (it sounds like big caps being charged or discharged), the overhead fluorescent tubes don't "flicker" like they used to always do when I hit the pedal. However, if I scratch-start with it set this way, it will weld, and I do have pedal amperage throttle control.
If I put it in AC and HF Continuous, same deal: It won't start when I hit the pedal, but if I hold the pedal down, I can scratch-start, and it will start and sustain the arc, so I assume the HF is working continuously, otherwise, it wouldn't be able to sustain the AC arc, right?
I welded for a minute or two in AC with HF continuous, thinking that maybe the dew in my shop had gotten into the HF points, and maybe running the HF on continuously would dry them out, but that didn't seem to make any difference.
Then I went back to DCEN and set the HF to continuous. Tried to start using the pedal. No go. Scratch-started and welded that way for a minute or so, hoping that the HF on continuous would dry out the HF points, but again, it didn't do any good.
I verified:
Argon on (and yes it's straight argon, I've been using this bottle successfully for months)
Everything in torch is tight.
DINSE connectors tight.
Good ground on work clamp (I also tried to light up directly on the work clamp)
Tried a few different tungstens, and a few different collets and collet bodies. No love.
Can anyone give me any clues on how to diagnose or fix this machine? My LWS is 70 miles away and getting this beast to them would be a nightmare. Thanks in advance.
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