Hi, new to this site and wondered if any one could advise me. I have had my craftmig 180 for about ten years now with no problems other than changing the torch and its switch a few times. However yesterday it started keeping the torch live and the gas running even when the trigger wasn't pressed, the wirefeed works fine and i continued to use it to finish the job. From reading a similar thread on a 160 amp machine i gather the the white relay on the PCB could be at fault but this seems to be attached to the board. Any guidence greatly appreciated.
- Thread starter Kieron
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mike 109444
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Welcome Kierofn. Ref the fault on your welder. If you look at the relay (maybe shine tourch at it) when you power the mchine on (assuming the relay has a clear cover on it!) It should not move as you poer on. Then when you press the trigger (point gun the other way!!) you should see the relay operate. That is the normal operation. If when you switch on the gas is flowing and torch live then the relay maybe stuck on, you can confirm by again operating the trigger and you won't see the relay operate as it is already operated!
You will need to desolder the relay and using details printed on side find a replacement one. Maplins or ebay. Let us know the outcome of the above test.
You will need to desolder the relay and using details printed on side find a replacement one. Maplins or ebay. Let us know the outcome of the above test.
Craft mig 180
Thanks for replying to my problem Mike. I'll try what you advised tomorrow, the relay on this set isn't transparent. If i touch the plastic body i guess i should feel it switch in when i turn the set on and press the trigger. I've got an idea where to go next now. Thanks again, i'll report back.
Thanks for replying to my problem Mike. I'll try what you advised tomorrow, the relay on this set isn't transparent. If i touch the plastic body i guess i should feel it switch in when i turn the set on and press the trigger. I've got an idea where to go next now. Thanks again, i'll report back.
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Finder relay
The relay on my machine is marked as 'Finder 45.61' after some searching i've found out that this item is discontinued. It has however been replaced with a relay 'Finder 45.71' which apparently has a greater temperature range. There is more than one relay under this number, the voltage ranges are different. I've ordered one from RS for less than a fiver. Hopefully it will come tomorrow. I hope my soldering skills are up to the job.
The relay on my machine is marked as 'Finder 45.61' after some searching i've found out that this item is discontinued. It has however been replaced with a relay 'Finder 45.71' which apparently has a greater temperature range. There is more than one relay under this number, the voltage ranges are different. I've ordered one from RS for less than a fiver. Hopefully it will come tomorrow. I hope my soldering skills are up to the job.
anyone with a board to sell that,s ok? are they obtainable new ? price ?
mike 109444
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Pic of pcb? Can't be that fried ......can it?
500e
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Yes it can (charred PCB, relay bobbin went up in smoke ++) I spend most of my time repairing 2 way radios, have been a Communications engineer for 30+ years as well as other things, The board is fried, if it was a thing of beauty & a treasured position I might resurrect it, but it's a £40 board which means a fiver to manufacture at most, not worth the time or effort.
There must be someone with a 180 that has other major problem but board ok.
