Spectrum 625 X-Treme not staying lit

[jayrod075]

Hi guys, new member here! I've looked all through the forum for someone having a similar problem with their Spectrum 625 but haven't found any. Not getting any warning lights on the machine itself but when I go to cut the air kicks on like normal and the cutting arc starts but then it immediately goes out. I can then start it again but it cuts back out after only 1-2 seconds and won't stay lit. I've replaced all of the tip consumables and made sure I've got a good ground. Any thoughts/ help would be greatly appreciated!

[ryanjones2150]

Sometimes the tips can be finicky. Over tighten, no worky. Under tighten, no worky. But, is this a new problem? Meaning, was it working fine a day ago and now all of a sudden all you can get out of it is the pilot arc?

[jayrod075]

Yes, it was working perfectly fine and now all of a sudden just the pilot arc. If I overtighten I get the cup light as expected. I've tried multiple different tensions on the tip but no luck.

[Metjunkie]

I had a similar, periodic issue with a Hypertherm 350 I used to have. I started double checking my ground and verifying I had clean, DRY, air and never experienced the problem again.

[jayrod075]

Yeah, I have two separators on the air line and the miller filter. No moisture getting through. It almost seems like a ground issue to me but I've checked it multiple times to make sure it's good.

[MAC702]

HOW did you check your work lead? Did you perform a continuity/resistance test of the lead from the clamp all the way back to its connection inside the machine?

[Metjunkie]

MAC is right. The only way to remove all doubt is to meter your ground. If it checks good, I would then give Miller a call. Hopefully, it's something simple.

[ryanjones2150]

A few years ago I borrowed a friend's Lincoln somethingorother plasma cutter, did the same thing the OP was describing. Took it back to his shop and it worked perfectly. I am confident it was operator error...no other real explanation. I was grounding to the work table like everything else I have is. Might have been too much resistance for it to work right.

[piniongear]

I have owned a Spectrum 625 X-Tream for some years now.and have experienced the same problem a number of times.
The fix is a replacement tip.
Also, a faulty ground connection will give you the same problem but my money is on needing a new tip.
Do not over tighten the tip.. Just snug it down.
When I bought mine I also bought the parts kit which included a replacement tip.
I have found a need for 3 of them over the years.

Additionally, let the tip drag on the material.
Perry

[jayrod075]

Well, over the weekend I was able to check the ground cable with the multi meter and it checked out with no problem.

Unfortunately, as I mentioned before, I've changed all the consumables in the gun itself. I've even switched back and forth between the drag tip I have and the regular style.

Where should I look next?

[Metjunkie]

Maybe an intermittent connection inside the gun handle? Man, I hope it's not a board.

[piniongear]

Well, over the weekend I was able to check the ground cable with the multi meter and it checked out with no problem.

Unfortunately, as I mentioned before, I've changed all the consumables in the gun itself. I've even switched back and forth between the drag tip I have and the regular style.

Where should I look next?

If you are certain your drag tip is firmly touching the metal when you make the cut,, then the next step is to call Miller customer service. They can help you determine the problem
Perry

[stevie-boy]

Can any one tell me what a new Big Blue 800 duo pro is worth in the states.
Steve from New Zealand.

[ryanjones2150]

Cmon Stevie-boy....we'd love to help, but this thread is about a plasma cutter problem. Maybe you have some advice for Jayrod?