Miller blue star 2e ac-dc

[Kpack]

Hello all my nephew was given two blue star welders. The one that is complete is a 2e ac-dc and I believe the other one is a 2e. He has the Ac-dc running but is only getting 35 volts at the ac plugs and just a sparkle when trying to weld. He is revving it up by hand. I pulled a manual from Miller close to it that fits because the serial number is gone . It has the Tecumseh engine. He has cleaned all connections , brushes , slip rings , and behind controls. He also pulled the board out of the donor and tried it but it was about the same. I thought maybe some of you guys could tell us what to check . I can't get the picture of the welders to upload.

[mrsully]

I don't know if it's like my old Hobart brothers or my sa200 but have you tried exciting it. I'm not sure of the technical term but it's adding magnetism to the communicator

[Kpack]

Here is the picture . He has not tried to excite yet and I don't know enough to tell him how. I told him to wait to do anything to it so he doesn't mess something up , its been setting along time .

[mrsully]

What I generally do with old welders is take a piece of canvas and soak it in oil. When I get the welder running I'll use the canvas like sand paper to Clean the communicator and exciter but we're talking generator style welders. I'm no good at explains how to excite it but do a google search on how to excite/flash the field of an sa200 and it may give you an idea if this can be done with your welder. Don't take my advise to heart as there many many knowledgeable folks on here that could provide you with way better advice

[Aeronca41]

Whatever you do, don't use emery cloth to clean slip rings or commutators. Emery dust is conductive and you don't want it floating around in your welder. I would agree it may need to be excited but can't tell you just how.

I know about using canvas to clean slip rings but never heard of oiling it. I assume you clean the oil off the slip rings very well when done cleaning?

[mrsully]

That's what my dad said my grandpa did so I've done it and it works...maybe next time I'll not oil it...as long as pop ain't around

[Kpack]

Thanks guys maybe cruiser or one of the other guys may can tell us what to check or how to excite or flash the field.

[cruizer]

Well, its running even with a spark, no need to excite it, besides that will blow the field board, which Im sure is damaged now anyways. think its right side lower with the covers removed, Maybe shoot me a picture of that. As for emory, I use it, however in conjuction with brake clean. Used to be that the grits would imbed themselves in the brass you were trying to clean. Brakeclean removes any oils. I also use brillo pads. Removing a deep cut in the slip ring, I swish the tip of a box cutter around the slip ring, ( engine running and brushes removed)to remove the line, then smooth the ring around with the emory.

[Kpack]

Thanks cruzier . He changed the board out from the donor . Is that why you think the board is blown why do you think that ? I'm not close to him so I have not seen the welder just talked to him on the phone. Thanks

[cruizer]

Well, if go and boost the unit to run, you'll blow it. If you add 12 VDC to the slip rings externally, you'll blow it. No field, and your not going to get much out of it. There is 2 small 8 amp 200 volt SCR 's in a fingered heat sink that blow. Not a biggy to change out.