Powcon welder experience

[ryanjones2150]

Any you guys have experience to offer on Powcon welders?

[Weld dr]

I have 30 years and have quite a bit of used parts is this a 300 SM

[ryanjones2150]

It’s a 400ss. Wires for 3ph but it looks like there is a procedure to swap jumpers for 1ph.

[MAC702]

My dad still has my old 300 SM. Like the 400 series, it is also jumper-changeable from 3-phase to single-phase.

[snoeproe]

The whistlers. They were a solid machine. Great technology for the time.

[ryanjones2150]

I heard something about them making a noise when they were on and that meant you knew it was working right. Any truth to that? It could be a really good addition to my arsenal. Fill a gap in my portable capabilities at least. Could use it to gouge too I figure.

[MAC702]

Yeah, they are high-pitched whining SOBs.

[lars66]

My 300 SM squeals like a pig when welding at high amps with dual shield.

[Weld dr]

you only have to relink for input voltage you just have to drop I wire not sure witch one it has been a while it if you drop the wrong it wont hurt the unit.

[ryanjones2150]

I’ve read two different things on changing voltage. The book for the machine says there are three places inside that need to be changed from 3 to 1 phase. Then I read another bit about what you said, drop the red wire, black and white to hot, green to neutral, done. Arcon says they don’t offer any service, just keep the old stuff up on their site as a courtesy to those with the old machines.

[Helios]

https://www.shopfloortalk.com/forums...2&postcount=23

[jjohn76]

It looks like you already have a link to the manual. You just need to confirm it is set up for the right voltage - either 230V or 460V available. The three jumpers locations inside change for the voltage only. One at the back inside , one at the front inside ,Ift and one jumper location on the right circuit board (if you're looking at the front control panel). Once voltage is right, you only need to tape back the red wire for single phase. The fan runs on power up, and they tick at idle. They will squeal higher pitch as they put out more juice. They're great, though tough to find the components.

[ryanjones2150]

That guy has the absolute worst luck, Helios.

[MasterKwan]

That guy has the absolute worst luck, Helios.

Seems like his main problem was the people fixing his gear. It should be possible to repair a machine up to good as new. The people doing the repairs apparently weren't up to snuff.

[ryanjones2150]

I think I’m going to pass on this machine until I learn more about them. There seems to be a few running around. The only one I’ve seen in person was in the back shop of the guy that does my water jet cutting. I tried to buy it off him and he said he would never sell that machine and it was in fact the only thing he way taking with him when he retired.

A rugged machine that can stick, tig and gouge that’s still small enough to carry around is perfect for my needs. Because of that trait I heard they were very popular in ship yards.

I can’t justify buying a new arcon model, but they look pretty much the same, just a different color and probably updated a bit.