Help! Snap on (Cebora) mini mig 180 Part not working

[Bluemotion]

So after many years of use it’s just conked out. Trigger works, sends message to wire drive and that works fine. The gas is also fine off the trigger but the mig wire is not ‘live’ as it comes out of the mig. Has someone come acrosss this before? The mig is 1988.

 

[Barking Mat]

Is the contactor relay working?

 

[RonA]

As Barking Mat said the contactor eventually fails, they are a standard type available at any good electrical factors.
RonA

 

[Screwdriver]

Yes! In fact I do believe I have the very same problem with my Autostar 180.

It clonks when I hit the trigger but the reel stalls and it has been very intermittent for months.

 

[Bluemotion]

The reel on mine doesn’t stall as it feeds well but no amps to weld with. Theres the Cylindrical power switch with many connections at the back which turns on the machine and sets the amperage numbers 1-7 and that’s live. From there I not so sure about sticking my hand in...

 

[eddie49]

There may be a manual operating button in the centre of the top surface of the Contactor. Using an insulated screwdriver, push that button in, and check if you can strike an arc at the torch tip.

 

[Screwdriver]

I think it is a similar issue because once I strike an arc, the reel seems to behave. The whole saga has been gradually getting worse until the first time I fired it up last week, it played dead for ages before going back to being intermittent. Some details from your fix would be most welcome, parts, numbers, prices and pictures would be a godsend.

 

[Bluemotion]

There may be a manual operating button in the centre of the top surface of the Contactor. Using an insulated screwdriver, push that button in, and check if you can strike an arc at the torch tip.

Now are you referring to me or ‘Screwdriver’? I don’t know what the contactor unit looks like

 

[eddie49]

Bluemotion, I was trying to suggest some advice to you, as you are the OP in this thread.
The Contactor is a large heavy-duty relay, connected to the AC mains input, and uses a solenoid coil to close multiple contacts that feed power to the primary of the main welding transformer. It will be about 3" square, with cables connected to screw terminals around the base.
Post #4 in this thread describes the location:

snap-on minimig 180c live torch

Hi,i am new to this forum and hoping someone could give me some advise as my wire is always live on my snap-on 180c and i have seen mentions of a relay but unsure how to check it and its location thanks mike

www.mig-welding.co.uk

 

[Bluemotion]

Cheers for that Eddie

 

[Bluemotion]

Found time to analyse the welder more. The contactor is working as it should on all accounts and it’s somewhere after that unit. I’ve thrown the towel in! I’ve a mobile engineer to look at it Tuesday and I did warn him about all the years of silt collected were all the components and cabling looks the same colour because of it. He told me to clean the thing first and recommended actual soap and water!??? Eh, really I said? Water in a mig with those massive transformers??? He said he’s tried many chemical cleaners over the years but soap and water always works best so I washed it through with very hot water a detergent industrial soap. It’s come up well then I dried it with my bike dryer which is a superb tool in its own right! All still works as it did before with no bang!

 

[Screwdriver]

Well I am having a go at mine today. Cebora Autostar 180.

I think it could be this thing.

Just about to Google it, I assume it is the big clonky thing which appears to "drop out" or fail to engage intermittently.

If it's cheap enough, I'll just swap it out. Might have a go at cleaning it first I suppose. Looks like it comes apart.

 

[Screwdriver]

OK so they are a non trivial £50+ quid.

What are the chances of me getting this apart without it disintegrating into microscopic particles?

The other possibility is a dodgy switch on the torch head. I'll check that first I think. Contactor disassembly looks doable but fiddly.

 

[Seadog]

You could probably find one a lot cheaper than that. Are you running single or three phase?

 

[eddie49]

It could indeed be just as simple as needing a good clean. The solenoid/armature may be full of dust or metal filings, the contacts may be burnt. If you decide to remove and clean the contactor ( or to remove and replace it ), mark and label all the cables and connections.

 

[Screwdriver]

It's single phase and I just did a quick Google/eBay, ended up looking at Crompton (£77) and other stuff way over £50.

I need to establish what the precise spec is that ensures compatibility. I think HR 0910 nails it but not sure without further digging.

 

[Bluemotion]

Well I am having a go at mine today. Cebora Autostar 180.

I think it could be this thing.

Just about to Google it, I assume it is the big clonky thing which appears to "drop out" or fail to engage intermittently.

If it's cheap enough, I'll just swap it out. Might have a go at cleaning it first I suppose. Looks like it comes apart.

That’s one big empty cabinet! Must be newer than mine as I’ve no fan as std in mine.

 

[Bluemotion]

Well mines running brilliantly now I washed it in hot soapy water . The mobile engineer sorted it although I didn’t get chance to chat with him. There was a ‘high frequency’ thing not working. The only thing now is my main power/ on switch is not working properly on full (7) which it did before it’s wash. Part number washed off it btw therefore can’t order correct item but never mind. Engineer only charged me £50 and even treated me to a new massive earth clamp! Happy

 

[Bluemotion]

Oh and the most important thing.....
Thank you all for suggestions

 

[Seadog]

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