Tig welder controls not working correctly

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

I have a Tech Arc 206i AC and DC tig welder I bought new 10 years ago its had very little use.

I used it mainly on light stainless and now having a go at aluminium welding and about finished a two gallon water tank for my flash steam project.

Something wrong thought I saw a flash reflected through a cooling vent around the control circuit board.

Amp control not being altered from zero with torch 2t switch power to arc but not that high

Foot pedal control amp indicator going up and down with no control with various knobs.

Foot pedal seems on maximum amps when pressed and power cuts out most of time pedal pressed in a few seconds.

Warning light for abnormal load comes on when arc power is stopped using foot pedal.

Manufacture is not far from me and do repairs so might see them.

Could it be control circuit board at fault seems loads of power at times with foot pedal but can not control it.

Shot in the dark has anyone had similar problems and what did they find wrong.

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Tig welder controls not working correctly

[John OlsenParticipant @johnolsen79199]

From my long experience of electronics I would say that the magic smoke has escaped from one or more devices inside. I suspect that unless you are very experienced with power electronics you are not going to be able to fix it yourself, so checking with the manufacturer is probably your best bet. The problem with fixing this sort of stuff is that a low level fault can easily destroy a power device, so you come along, spot the obviously blown up power device, and promptly destroy another one because the original fault is still there. Fuses don't operate fast enough to save the devices either.

John

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Posted by John Olsen on 29/08/2021 12:09:23:

From my long experience of electronics I would say that the magic smoke has escaped from one or more devices inside. I suspect that unless you are very experienced with power electronics you are not going to be able to fix it yourself, so checking with the manufacturer is probably your best bet. The problem with fixing this sort of stuff is that a low level fault can easily destroy a power device, so you come along, spot the obviously blown up power device, and promptly destroy another one because the original fault is still there. Fuses don't operate fast enough to save the devices either.

John

I certainly wont be touching the electronics its a manufacturers repair one look at the inside and its beyond me.

Low power on torch switch and instant maximum on foot pedal then abnormal light comes on amp gauge all over the place.

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

Hi Windy,

Try on here

[Roger BestParticipant @rogerbest89007]

Sadly "little use" means nothing if the electronics have wet capacitors, they have a 10 year life even on the shelf. And that is before you start to look at corroded solder joints.

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

Posted by Roger Best on 29/08/2021 15:06:38:

Sadly "little use" means nothing if the electronics have wet capacitors, they have a 10 year life even on the shelf. And that is before you start to look at corroded solder joints.

Don't tell my jukebox, ignorance is bliss.

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Had a call from Tech arc is what I thought the control circuit board had capacitors blown was not imagining that flash reflected on cooling vent.

Board and labour £133 not sure if vat on that a new welder costs £950 just hope that sorts it.

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