Millermatic 175 Wire feed problem

[Commander]

Hi Everyone,

I'm in need of you help. My Millermatic 175 has stopped feeding wire consistently. When it is first turned on and the trigger is engaged it works for about 10- 20 seconds then its stops. When the trigger is pressed again the relay will sound but no wire feed, I can press the trigger another 10 times and some of the times the relay will sound others nothing and some times it will all work for a few seconds. I tried jumping the leads where the gun connects with some copper wire and when I turn on the welder the temp light flashes and the wire motor does not feed. This welder is about 10 years old but it has only been lightly used for home and auto repairs. I was hoping to used this welder to do a Buggy build with my son but I was pretty disappointed when I when to tryy it and it didn't work.

[H80N]

Hi Everyone,

I'm in need of you help. My Millermatic 175 has stopped feeding wire consistently. When it is first turned on and the trigger is engaged it works for about 10- 20 seconds then its stops. When the trigger is pressed again the relay will sound but no wire feed, I can press the trigger another 10 times and some of the times the relay will sound others nothing and some times it will all work for a few seconds. I tried jumping the leads where the gun connects with some copper wire and when I turn on the welder the temp light flashes and the wire motor does not feed. This welder is about 10 years old but it has only been lightly used for home and auto repairs. I was hoping to used this welder to do a Buggy build with my son but I was pretty disappointed when I when to tryy it and it didn't work.

Have you cleaned or replaced the gun liner..??

replaced contact tip.. with new & proper size??

adjusted roller tension.. ??

unit serial number..??

[nfinch86]

It sounds like you have an electrical problem somewhere.
Hopefully Cruizer will see your post & respond as he is our resident welder tech.

Norm

[cruizer]

Have to jumper the trigger terminal after the machine is turned on, not before. Machine doesn't like that too much

[Commander]

Thank you for taking the time reply to my post, I really appreciate it.

The gun assembly has been replaced in the last year. How often should I be replacing the liner?

The contact Tip is new and the right size.

Serial Number: LE369199
Stock Number:907020

Cruizer I didn't know that. I will try that again today when I get home from work.

[H80N]

Why was the gun replaced..??? and is the liner the correct size for the wire you are running..?? kink free..??

does the wire slip freely in the liner without dragging or snags....??

[Commander]

H80N I replaced the gun due to a broken trigger. Yes to all your other questions.

I was able jumper the trigger terminals like Cruizer suggested. Unfortunately, same issue occurred. The first time everything worked for about 10 seconds then sometimes just the relay sounds others nothing at all. I removed the gun and tried it but i got the same result.

[Miller Kevin]

Commander, It sounds like you either have a drive motor that is drawing way to much current or a problem with the motor drive circuit on the control board. The current draw on the drive motor with no load should be less than an amp (@ 0.7) and it can be checked running the motor off an external power source (12 volts DC). If that checks good then that leaves the control board as the cause.

Kevin

[Commander]

Thanks for that information Kevin.

All the research I've done points to the control board. I will check the drive motor over the weekend but from the looks of it I'm sure it will be fine.

Should I just cut my loses and try to sell this unit for parts? I don't want to invest too much money in fixing it. Purchasing a new one seem like a better option. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

[Miller Kevin]

Commander,

Well that would be up to you to decide. If the rest of the unit is in good condition then repairing it is probably worth it unless you have been looking for a reason to update anyway. A new control board can be had for under $200 if you look around which isn't to bad and you could replace it yourself so the overall repair wouldn't be to pricey.

Kevin

[Danny]

Having owned a MM 175, I can definitely state I'd never want to own another, and wouldn't waste much money on one repairing it. I haven't had an opportunity to try one out ( maybe Kevin can convince someone at Miller to send me one to try) , but I suspect, performance wise, the newer inverter based MM 190 or 211 is going to be superior to the MM 175. The MM 180, which was basically the same unit as the MM 175, minus the wire speed tracking circuitry, was a noticeably better performing unit then the MM 175.

[cruizer]

Yep drive is over heating, try it with the drive popped open.

[old jupiter]

Having owned a MM 175, I can definitely state I'd never want to own another, and wouldn't waste much money on one repairing it. I haven't had an opportunity to try one out ( maybe Kevin can convince someone at Miller to send me one to try) , but I suspect, performance wise, the newer inverter based MM 190 or 211 is going to be superior to the MM 175. The MM 180, which was basically the same unit as the MM 175, minus the wire speed tracking circuitry, was a noticeably better performing unit then the MM 175.

Danny, I have a MM175, and wish it did not have the automatic stuff. I've never had the unit apart, but am wondering if that circuitry is something a guy can easiy just disconnect?? Have you thought of doing this to your MM175??

[Commander]

Yep drive is over heating, try it with the drive popped open.

Thank for the reply.

Stupid question. How do I go about trying this?

[nfinch86]

Thank for the reply.

Stupid question. How do I go about trying this?

I would think to pop the drive , just open it up - So it's Not feeding the wire.