Bought a new to me Airco Dip/Stick 160 multiprocess welder

[Hondacivic247]

I looked at my pictures and it does look like a tab is touching the metal would that cause the cap to blow or cause the contactor to burn out cause my wire feeder is barely working

[Hondacivic247]

When I fix the wires and caps if it doesn't solve the problem I think I'm going to part the machine out or try to sell it as is unfortunately. There's a machine I would really like it's a older Lincoln wire matic 250 for $850 with a tank and regulator

[Hondacivic247]

[Hondacivic247]

[Hondacivic247]

[Hondacivic247]

[Hondacivic247]

That's how that circuit runs from the small transformer to the rectifier bridge then to the cap and selector switch and the contactor has wires going to the wire feed motor along the copper windings in the high and low voltage transformer

[aametalmaster]

There's a machine I would really like it's a older Lincoln wire matic 250 for $850 with a tank and regulator

Does anyone really run a Lincoln Mig? I have worked in lots of shops over the last 40 years and Lincoln Migs were non existant. Granted people use them at home because they are cheap from the box stores. I got some customers last week in the LWS where I work and the kid asked where are all the Red machines. I said no one wants them so we don't stock them. He said I use one and I said because you bought it at Home Depot. I hope it all works for you either with this welder or another one...Bob

[Hondacivic247]

Finding used mig welders 200+ amps are tough to find in my area specially the miller's and they always want more then I got to spend right now. The wire matic 250 isn't a big box store model.

[Hondacivic247]

Well I got home and I went through everything again with still no luck the contactorear is still clicking and sparking on the top and I have hardly any wire speed.

I really wish I noticed where all the sparks came from when it let go last night. I double checked all the capacitors and there in there correctly.

When I get the caps this week I'll try it out and hopefully they won't blow up and solve my issue. Otherwise I'll be looking for a new welder and either parting this out or something

[Hondacivic247]

Is there anything you guys recommend that I check with my multimeter to help figure this mess out

[H80N]

At this point I would be tempted to take the caps out of the circuit...

and see if the wire drive motor perfomance returns to normal

the caps are in paralell anyway... and that would help to narrow things down...

you cannot weld without them... but it will give you an idea of a shorted cap if there is one

[Hondacivic247]

I pulled the face plate of the contactor where the copper 3 prong thing is and the tabs inside look all sorts of arced over. I only noticed 1 arcing when I pressed the mig gun trigger but maybe all 3 were. So I'm thinking it will need a new contactor. I've searched online but haven't been able to find the exact one. It's a elmwood sensors 30 amp 240v . Lookingk down from the top it says 50-60c, 24? All the ones I've seen don't have this red side connection of sorts to connect the red and black wire to the motor for the wirearly feeder and the white wire to all the orange caps?

[Hondacivic247]

[H80N]

I pulled the face plate of the contactor where the copper 3 prong thing is and the tabs inside look all sorts of arced over. I only noticed 1 arcing when I pressed the mig gun trigger but maybe all 3 were. So I'm thinking it will need a new contactor. I've searched online but haven't been able to find the exact one. It's a elmwood sensors 30 amp 240v . Lookingk down from the top it says 50-60c, 24? All the ones I've seen don't have this red side connection of sorts to connect the red and black wire to the motor for the wirearly feeder and the white wire to all the orange caps?

The contactor.....It is a magnetic electric motor starter... should be easy to source....."if need be"...

BUT...let's deal with one problem at a time though....