Old BOC adr 300

[NotANormalCoder]

Yes, the machine will still weld if the big fuse is open circuit. This fuse controls the magamp supply, which means if it is blown, you will be unable to use either the rheostat or a footcontrol to vary the current above the minimum in any of the current ranges selected on the lower lever.
Follow what I said in my previous post to check both this and the rheostat. Common problems are faulty rheostat, soft start switch, broken wires and failed magamp rectifier.
Dave

 

[Frank Langnes]

I have just bought an ADR300, red sides with white front. I have it wired up & can get manual ARC to work but not the TIG. Can anyone give me some tips where to look for advice as our local "sparkie" hasn't a clue. We would like to weld stainless steel with it, has anyone used this machine to do this? Any help appreciated.
Frank

 

[NotANormalCoder]

Easy bit first - Yes, you can weld Ali/stainless/mild steel with this machine when it works correctly. I need more info to diagnose your problem, but for a start, check torch *power cable* is connected to negative output, earth to positive. Select TIG welding on rotary selector switch (on/off switch). Put selector switch in DC Normal or Straight position (can't remember what it's marked). Select range, say medium and set current control on front panel to 50%. Set HF switch to 'start'. Set local/remote control switch to 'remote' if using a footcontrol, or 'local' if using a torch switch. When triggered, you should hear HF crackle and get gas flow. If all is well, it should work. If not, post back with what happens.
Power cable will be thickest one of the cables - if you connect gas or water hose to main terminal, no power will get to the torch! If possible, check for continuity from end of power cable to tungsten - if not dead short, power cable is broken.
Hope this helps.
Dave

 

[Frank Langnes]

frank langnes

Thanks to "not a normal coder" for the information. I have got it working in TIG now but I am a bit confused with your power cable torch & negative output. My machine has two terminals, one says "work" & one says "torch", we have connected earth to work & torch to torch, is this correct? Our torch has a direct water supply & doesn't need to be connected to the welder but the gas supply is. It has a switch which says On 1 Argon Arc 2 Argon Arc Spot Weld 3 (don't know what this is for) Manual Arc 4, a lever with four ranges of amps & a lever showing three positions of 1 AC 2 DC Normal & 3 DC Negative, which one would we use for stainless steel? We are using a torch connected to contact or remote socket SK1.
Regards
Frank

 

[NotANormalCoder]

'Work' to earth clamp/workpiece - 'Torch' to welding torch is all correct.
On the switch - 1st position (Argon Arc?) is all your everyday TIG welding, both AC & DC. If you want to ARC weld, use last setting ('Manual Arc') - connect arc rod holder to 'Torch' terminal, use earth as normal, switch HF to OFF and set remote control and contactor switches to 'Local'. Adjust current on main rheostat. Other two settings are: Tig Spot welding (use optional timer fitted in front panel) to do short, timed welds, and Plasma Welding which was a very fine type of welding, requiring a special torch - ignore these two settings.
For Steel/Stainless etc, use 'DC Normal' setting, for Aluminium, use AC setting and don't forget to switch HF to continuous.
Hope this helps, terms may vary as I deal with many different types of machine.
Dave