330A/BP(S) Remote contactor issueF

[Bushytails]

SSC does not make any pedal that will work with the 330A/BP. The 330A/BP uses a big low-resistance high-power rheostat that they can't fit inside their models...

With the high-resistance low-power resistor in modern pedals, you'll probably end up with pretty much just almost-no-power/full-power switching (with the entire current range being a tiny fraction of an inch), or very much that after the power burns out the much-smaller resistor...

[Mickey(not so fine)]

Well, crap. I managed to scrounge up an old RFC-14(KF-43) that has a 1000ohm brushed rheostat inside. I suppose that will work out.

Mickey

[Bushytails]

Should be a 130W 15ohm. Even if you use one with a big rheostat that won't burn out, the high resistance will make it basically on/off again.

I'd suggest just spending the $200 to get one on ebay... https://www.ebay.com/itm/394484960498

I've long been tempted to make a universal 14-pin foot pedal adapter to let you use modern pedals on the 330A/BP, DialArc, and any engine-drive welder...

[ryanjones2150]

I’ll be your best friend if you do, bushy.

You can get new foot pedals for that machine, but they’re over $500. Or they used to be. Not much to those foot pedals though, pretty easy to rebuild if you need to.

[Mickey(not so fine)]

At the risk of demonstrating and confirming my ignorance of this...where would I find the info that indicates what kind of pedal is needed for whatever machine? I understand what you are saying and have no doubts to the accuracy...that being said, I'd like to remedy my ignorance and know where to find that information.

Every day I am reminded of how much I don't know....

Mickey

[Bushytails]

You can find the rheostat specs in the manual for the pedal - https://www.millerwelds.com/files/ow.../O826C_MIL.pdf Use the RFC-23A for the 330A/BP. the -23 is because it has a 2 and a 3 pin plug. The -14 has a 14 pin plug. Not consistent naming, but it works.

Also, for non-electronic machines, the foot pedal rheostat is usually similarly rated to the front panel rheostat. Both the main and start rheostats are 15ohm 150W according to the manual.

You can buy the correct rheostat to convert another pedal to 15 ohms, but it costs about as much as a complete used pedal with the right plugs ready to plug in...

[Mickey(not so fine)]

Awesome! That was exactly what I was looking for! Thankya so much for all your help!

Mickey

[Weld dr]

15 OHM 130 WATT is the correct resistor for that foot control. Most likely you are using a 1K ohm and it will burn up and open.

[Mickey(not so fine)]

I may have come out on top on this one...

This is the foot pedal I salvaged from the boneyard....with the wrong resistor for what I'm trying to do.


I found this in a box of random stuff I had stashed away...


It appears to be unused and tests good. It also matches one of the part numbers in the manual. The only difference I see is the connections. The one in the foot pedal takes quick connects and this one is bolt on. Maybe I'll buy a lotto ticket on the way home this evening.

Mickey

[Mickey(not so fine)]

I swapped the resistors out and wow...what I had considered control over the current was night and day. I'm really glad that I mentioned all that. I learned something very useful and got the customer's machine sorted out proper. Additionally, I didn't mess up his original pedal. Thanks again for all the help. It's greatly appreciated!

Mickey

[Bushytails]

Glad to help!

My paypal address is...

[Mickey(not so fine)]

Ha! I'm definitely racking up some debt! If you're into golf and ever make it to the biggest tournament in the southeast that's coming up soon, hit me up and I'll take you out for lunch.

Mickey

[Bushytails]

I wish I were joking... got fired two weeks ago, still looking for work. bleh!

[Mickey(not so fine)]

Oof, that's no good at all! I keep hearing that there is more work than folks looking for it, but I've also seen where a lot of places have just given up on hiring. I gave up some time ago...couldn't find anyone that wanted to work let alone knew what they were doing and I'd end up doing their work and still paying them for it. What region are you located in?

Mickey