Hi thankyou for the advice!
- Thread starter kooder01
- Start date
I am dealing with intermittent wire feed issues which has now settled into a consistently not working at all situation in a mactool 230v mig welder which i had running thanks to this forum (main ssr was toast) and then all the sudden the wire feeder kinda would sorta run, stop and then I’d adjust the feed POT and it would slowly start running again and gain rpm then kinda stop and sometimes just start up again, etc.. all the while my gas solenoid and relay are still working with trigger pull and I’m nearly 90% sure my electrode would still arc. I could heard the machine humming and at different levels adjusting the heat control POT while trigger was engaged.
So I have checked feed motor with 12vdc, checked the wire speed control POT resistance on all three poles with knob adjustment, and continuity in whip trigger when pressed/ released: all of which I found to be working as they should.
What’s next man? My drive voltage transformer? It’s actually separate from the board. Based off the electric schematic you provided I need it reading 230vac in and 12vac out; in my case specifically testing thicker gauged white/black and thinner orange/orange wires respectively)? If it’s bad will there just be no output? I attached the best photo of the pcm and the electrical schematics of my welder.
I am studying power converter system theoretics, control/ circuit board components: their functions, limitations, benefits and applications, and linear and switch converter circuit manipulation (which linear is nearly obsolete, especially with variable power outputs, I know but still good to consider to understand theory of power electronic supply principles)
I have a physics minor and a BA in math, so my heads not entirely spinning but spinning none the less.
Thanks for any suggestions, corrections or considerations I might need to have moving forward.
According to the diagram, the output of the transformer should be 24v AC, not 12. That low value may explain why you are only seeing from 3 to 10v DC output from the PCB, which is not enough to drive the wirefeed motor reliably. Try disconnecting one of the orange wires and check the transformer output off-load.
The AC from the transformer may be rectified on the PCB by the four diodes ( slightly left of top centre in the photo of the PCB ), and then smoothed by the large blue electrolytic capacitor. With both orange AC feed wires still connected, try measuring the DC voltage across that large capacitor.
The AC from the transformer may be rectified on the PCB by the four diodes ( slightly left of top centre in the photo of the PCB ), and then smoothed by the large blue electrolytic capacitor. With both orange AC feed wires still connected, try measuring the DC voltage across that large capacitor.
Okay I’ve got the transformer out of the welder. Attached some photos. Unable to fine any visible or obvious model number.
See photos: Here I’ve simply removed insulating tape from coil to check coil condition and also pulled out a thermal resistor, or at least that’s what it seems it is to me. So my quick butt connections and wire and even the poor old metal plates housing the coils of the transformer.
Connections
See photos: Here I’ve simply removed insulating tape from coil to check coil condition and also pulled out a thermal resistor, or at least that’s what it seems it is to me. So my quick butt connections and wire and even the poor old metal plates housing the coils of the transformer.
Connections
More reason to stoke up. Lol. I don’t think the age of a forum or discussion takes away from the informational value or helpfulness it can offer someone such as myself. Are you suggesting I should have created a sort of semi- redundant new post and maybe sighted this n then
That's an interesting component. I researched it and now think that it is a "Thermal Fuse". If the transformer overheats the fuse will open at a preset temperature ( which may be marked on the component ).
E.G.:
SEFUSE SF-K Slim Thermal Fuse I ATC Semitec
One shot thermal fuse diameter within SF range. I Slim metal body: 3 x 7.5mm I Temperature range: 70°C to 214°C | SEFUSE range from ATC Semitec
atcsemitec.co.uk
Applying 220v AC directly to the primary should result in about 24v AC at the secondary. If it does not, you need a new transformer.
From the size and the application, I would guess that it needs to be rated about 40 or 50 Watts, e.g.:
Tigman
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No not at all was trying to be helpful informing you that you may not get any conversation , but I was wrong
