Polarity check for Newbie

[Rich Watts]

Hi all, this is my first post on here.

I'm just about to begin welding with my own gear, I have a Sip Migmate 130 and it says to check the polarity is correct for solid wire and gas usage.

Does the attached image look correct my needs?
There's no + or - signs to help me.

Rich

 

[WorkshopChris]

Hi and welcome.
Take a look at this link:-
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/manuals/migmate-conversion-to-dp.pdf

It may be of some help.
Is your machine the dual purpose with terminals on the front panel?

 

[cumbriasteve]

Not sure what age your machine is but does it not have a set of switch over terminals? they are usually located in the wire compartment and you simply transfer the wire to suit gas or gasless.

I doubt they expect owners to take the sides off and mess with the internal electrics when they advise on that check.

If it has not got that option then probably is as Chris suggests, a conversion project.

 

[Rich Watts]

Thanks Guys, i'll take pictures of the front panel and the wire compartment to see if the helps.

I thought it was strange to have to open the main case area but I purchased it with gas and wire installed so I assume that it would be set up for that but just wanted to check!

 

[cumbriasteve]

This is what a lot of hobby migs have in the side compartment, they are commonly called gas/no gas migs and you simply switch the wires to suit.

 

[Rich Watts]

Thanks! I'm pretty sure mine doesn't have anything like that in the wire compartment but I'll check in the morning.....

Cheers

 

[Rich Watts]

Right I think the polarity check paragraph in the manual is for the other models it covers.

I was getting spitty welds a lot and thought it might be that but it turns out that....

My gas valve is wrong, when I turn it to + it actually closes and the other way around.
So now I have it on - and I'm getting good gas flow and lovely welds!! :-) Yes!!

Thanks for your help

 

[WorkshopChris]

Glad you got it worked out. Do you have a project you are working on?
If you are using the small disposable bottles the bigger refillable cylinders will give you a better weld finish at a much improved price.

 

[Jim Davey]

As a clue the plate on the rectifier with the round red sticker will be positive.

 

[Rich Watts]

Thanks guys, yes I'm restoring an old 1971 Porsche 911T.

I don't think my valve is working properly, there's a really inconsistent gas flow?....

Should the gas flow out of the small hole inside the cable or the large hole?? (Pictured hopefully!)

 

[WorkshopChris]

Not to sure i presume thats a regulator for one of the small disposable bottles.
If so was there a rubber diaphragm and spring inside?

 

[Rich Watts]

Yep had all that inside.

Think I might change to larger bottles.

Do I need anything to swap over to the large ones??

 

[WorkshopChris]

All you will need is a short hose to go from the 3/8" standard fitting on the regulator to the 4mm push fit hose on the mig. You can get the bits and make one up or most welding suppliers will have them on the shelf ready made.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hobby-Min...654379?hash=item235955dbab:g:22oAAOSw7FRWUwd3

 

[daleyd]

Yep had all that inside.

Think I might change to larger bottles.

Do I need anything to swap over to the large ones??

Changing to bigger bottles is probably the single best improvement (and saving) you can make.

 

[Rich Watts]

Excellent!! and stupid question alert... would Machine Mart be able to do the big bottles or where do I get one from?

 

[daleyd]

I don't think machine mart do them, you can opt for a rental solution from boc (search for threads on here with "volkszone" in - it's their deal for diy users which means you get a decent rate) - you rent the bottle and they sell you the gas, otherwise you can get rental free bottles from places like sgs, hobby weld etc - you may end up paying more for gas but you don't have rental charges. It depends on how much gas you think you'll use as to which option will be best suited. (Both will work out much much cheaper than mini bottles though)

 

[WorkshopChris]

You have four options locally,
1, Search on hear for details of the BOC Volkzone offer arrange and open a account then go to the basildon branch to pick up.
2, Elemerdale welding at Rayleigh have a rent free offer a search should find that as well.
3, Allied welding in Benfleet for the rent Free Albee cylinders.
4, Hobby weld cylinders from Mark One Hire Rayleigh or Southend. ( If you wont be using a lot this might be your best bet.)

 

[Rich Watts]

Ok great, yeah I'm on volkszone so I'll have a search.

Thanks

 

[Rich Watts]

Just spoken to Shelley at BOC who was very helpful and sorted the "Hobyist" Argonshield Light rental deal for me at £39.45 rental a year! :-)