AC/DC Decisions

[Richard.]

There must be someone on here using the same machine with a "normal" pedal who can chime in to say how it works with the normal pedal ?.

It must work fine mate because the pots on the torch handles work like this. They don't have trim pots and you must be able to set the current for those on the machine so it must work for a conventional pedal too as they are the same

 

[Gizmo.Y]

So which 2 wires do i need to isolate?

 

[Richard.]

Wait to hear back from tom first giz before you start pulling it apart

 

[Hood]

It must work fine mate because the pots on the torch handles work like this. They don't have trim pots and you must be able to set the current for those on the machine so it must work for a conventional pedal too as they are the same

I think the way the pots on the torch work is they control the current by position so if you wind the pot one way fully it goes to zero current (probably 5 or 10 amps) , wind the other way fully and it is Max current (200amps).
You can not set the current from the machine so the pot on the torch is the only means of control when using it.
If I get a chance tomorrow I will fit the pot insert and see if I can unplug and set a max current but I don't think it works that way.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Looks like these new pedals Parweld have got might do the trick. I've just seen one and they're exactly like the Thermal Arc offering.
I'm going to confirm this tomorrow and if it is as I think then I'll be more than happy to swap your current one for the new version

 

[Hood]

Oh and BTW the POT on the torch is really no use because you can not use 4T mode so that means you have to press the On/Off button and then keep it held while you try and adjust the pot, almost impossible.
Previously I used this setup on the TecArc and it worked well as it could be used in 4T mode.

For me however the 3 button torch is much better anyway as it can be used in 4T and you can increase/decrease from the buttons and also as mentioned earlier a Tap on the On/Off button will drop to the lower set current to let things cool before pressing again to go back to main current.

 

[choco]

The stahlwerk has a pot in the pedal too. Its a weird design. The pot on the pedal adjusts max amps, cant see it till you strike up. The pot in the pedal is like half the value of the one in the set. As far as I can remember you set the min amps in the machine and change the pedal pot for max amps, it annoyed me so much I just leave it at full range

 

[Gizmo.Y]

Looks like these new pedals Parweld have got might do the trick. I've just seen one and they're exactly like the Thermal Arc offering.
I'm going to confirm this tomorrow and if it is as I think then I'll be more than happy to swap your current one for the new version

Please do let me know, i'd quite happily pay any difference involved.

 

[Jim Davey]

Looks like these new pedals Parweld have got might do the trick. I've just seen one and they're exactly like the Thermal Arc offering.
I'm going to confirm this tomorrow and if it is as I think then I'll be more than happy to swap your current one for the new version

I did contact Parweld some time ago and tell them they should switch to SSC as their pedal of choice. They later came back and bought one off me so maybe they wanted it in for assessment. I hope so because I hate pedal mounted pots and the Parweld/Thermal Arc is a good product made even better with the right accessories.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

I did contact Parweld some time ago and tell them they should switch to SSC as their pedal of choice. They later came back and bought one off me so maybe they wanted it in for assessment. I hope so because I hate pedal mounted pots and the Parweld/Thermal Arc is a good product made even better with the right accessories.

Looks like you've done the trick then Jim, think these will be the pedals that goes out with all of the Parweld TIGs now.

 

[Hood]

@Richard.
Just tested the Parweld with the pot insert in the torch and it is exactly as I suspected.
It takes over control of the current fully. Unplug, adjust current from machine, plug back in and again pot is used fully for current control and the previously set Max (via machine with unplugged torch) is ignored.


So if fitting a pedal with a separate switch and single pot you would have full range on the pedal but no means of setting a lower max.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Just been informed that the new SSC pedals for the XTT 202 don't allow you to set the amperage on the panel but rather they just allow for the whole range to be used without having to adjust anything on the pedal.
Don't know if thats any good for you Giz?

 

[Richard.]

Just been informed that the new SSC pedals for the XTT 202 don't allow you to set the amperage on the panel but rather they just allow for the whole range to be used without having to adjust anything on the pedal.
Don't know if thats any good for you Giz?

So you just have 100% of the machines scope 5-200?
Well at least that also confirms my theory too then. By passing the pot on the original pedal will do exactly the same thing then and not allow you to pre set the max current either. Then my last and final suggestion is this. Find out from playing with the side pot where your % lies in the pot position and mark it up. Put something around the outside of the pot that you can clearly mark and use to set your current so you don't have to fire it up like so.
At least then once you've worked it out you'll be able to dial it in without pressing the pedal. It's all I've got now mate.

 

[Gizmo.Y]

it just all seems very backwards now. Really unsure what to do now, the whole purpose of upgrading was to make use of a new range of features, features which seem to be locked down for whatever reason. Pedal opening the full range with no control over amperage just sounds completely wrong.

I've actually plugged the Eastwood back in.

I just feel like i've bought an expensive paper weight.

 

[Richard.]

Shouldn't have to- maybe but can't you do what I suggested above.
Would this solve the problem altogether?
Marking up the pot at least allows you to set it knowing what current level your at. Isn't that what you want.

 

[Gizmo.Y]

My gripe is still having to physically get up from the work station to pick the pedal up from the floor to change the amperage

Such a simple thing which could be done on the panel without the need to get up from the workstation.

 

[dazza]

So the SSC pedal puts out 200 amps even if the machine max is set to 100? Id remove the pot from the pedal and make a remote. Id be blowing holes everywhere if i could not set the max current.

 

[addjunkie]

So the SSC pedal puts out 200 amps even if the machine max is set to 100? Id remove the pot from the pedal and make a remote. Id be blowing holes everywhere if i could not set the max current.

Now that is a dam good idea. Shouldnt need to do it, but sometimes needs must.

 

[Gizmo.Y]

So the SSC pedal puts out 200 amps even if the machine max is set to 100? Id remove the pot from the pedal and make a remote. Id be blowing holes everywhere if i could not set the max current.

Thats the bit i couldnt understand either...What a pointless setup.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

I see your gripe giz, wish there was more I could do about it :/
I'm more than happy to accept it back if you don't think you'll get on with it