Lorch V24 tig ac/dc some questions

[tobtig]

Update.
I had a look/try at the machine. On a side note, this thing is huge!
We couldn't get it to work. Some strange issues.
First, contrary to what I was told before, the torch with the coolant tubes was connected.
But we immediately got E05 error. Adding coolant didn't help. Disconnecting the red tube showed that the pump still functions.
To rule out the torch as possible cause we put a loop between the red and blue connections. Still E05 error.
Wanting to test the machine we tried turning off the water cooling. However, there was no such setting under the extras menu. Contrary towhat the manual says, the setting was missing. Settings under extras were machine data, diagnostics, language, display contrast, modus automatic, second current button, lock functions, <here should be cooling system mode>, synchronous welding, pulse edges.
I spoke with 3 Lorch people over the phone. They were all convinced the setting should've been there. Is this because of an old firmware? An old version of this model?

 

[Brad93]

Update.
I had a look/try at the machine. On a side note, this thing is huge!
We couldn't get it to work. Some strange issues.
First, contrary to what I was told before, the torch with the coolant tubes was connected.
But we immediately got E05 error. Adding coolant didn't help. Disconnecting the red tube showed that the pump still functions.
To rule out the torch as possible cause we put a loop between the red and blue connections. Still E05 error.
Wanting to test the machine we tried turning off the water cooling. However, there was no such setting under the extras menu. Contrary towhat the manual says, the setting was missing. Settings under extras were machine data, diagnostics, language, display contrast, modus automatic, second current button, lock functions, <here should be cooling system mode>, synchronous welding, pulse edges.
I spoke with 3 Lorch people over the phone. They were all convinced the setting should've been there. Is this because of an old firmware? An old version of this model?

Avoid mate if they don’t even know how to run the machine.

 

[matt1978]

It could be the flow meter that has ceased or broken. It is a "spinning" magnetic type and if it wasn't used for some time and/or there was some metallic dust in the water it could need washing out. It is easy to do as the housing for the flow switch splits in two with a qtr turn.

The serial number of the machine you sent me makes the machine 18 years old. It could well be the software as this would most definitely be an very early model but to be honest ever since I have worked at Lorch (16 years) all of the V,S,P machines which have a similar HMI have had the option to Turn the cooler On-Off-Automatic-or for a pre-set time in minutes in the sub-menu. If it is missing in the menu then maybe at some point the Mapro PCB (Brain of the machine) was replaced and has the software of a gas cooled machine or it wasn't an option on the original firmware version??

I think to be honest you are best giving it a miss. The machine is very old and it troubles me that I (and now 3 of my colleagues) are involved in a decision for you to buy a 18 year old machine.

 

[tobtig]

Avoid mate if they don’t even know how to run the machine.

The guy is retired now and had some welders working for him. He never used the machine thoroughly himself.

 

[tobtig]

It could be the flow meter that has ceased or broken. It is a "spinning" magnetic type and if it wasn't used for some time and/or there was some metallic dust in the water it could need washing out. It is easy to do as the housing for the flow switch splits in two with a qtr turn.

Is this the flow switch?
When opening it, is there a chance of small things or springs jumping out?

The serial number of the machine you sent me makes the machine 18 years old. It could well be the software as this would most definitely be an very early model but to be honest ever since I have worked at Lorch (16 years) all of the V,S,P machines which have a similar HMI have had the option to Turn the cooler On-Off-Automatic-or for a pre-set time in minutes in the sub-menu. If it is missing in the menu then maybe at some point the Mapro PCB (Brain of the machine) was replaced and has the software of a gas cooled machine or it wasn't an option on the original firmware version??

I also had the impression some other things were different. I didn't find the pump screw you mentioned between the louvres. In front of the motor there was no louvre. Also in the manual there is mention of checking the dust filters (front and under) but those were not there. There was nothing to be removed or missing.

I think to be honest you are best giving it a miss. The machine is very old and it troubles me that I (and now 3 of my colleagues) are involved in a decision for you to buy a 18 year old machine.

The counter only had 107hrs, though.
Thanks for your valued feedback.

 

[matt1978]

View attachment 280898
Is this the flow switch?
When opening it, is there a chance of small things or springs jumping out?

yes that’s the flow switch. It’s not spring loaded, there is a small rectangular magnet that spins and also a rubber “o” ring but nothing that should be a issue taking a part and putting back together.

if the pump is running and you 100% that you have a good flow (because you placed a link over the water connections) I would say that I the issue is definitely the flow meter as E05 comes when the machine sees less than 0.5 l/min flow rate

 

[tobtig]

I bought the machine this weekend.
It wasn't the flow switch. Cleaned it out but wasn't really dirty. The problem, E05 error, persisted. On another tube there is a small filter. Although we had a flow before, removing this filter made the error go away. I think it caused an irregular or too slow flow. It looks clogged (photo below), it's completely black. Suppose from the coolant fluid wich didn't circulate since 9 years. (Plan on replacing it as soon as shops are open.)