Powcon the legend

[carbon]

Yes that’s the culprits, it seems rifa caps do fail. I did replace mine without any issues

 

[zeppelin builder]

Yes that’s the culprits, it seems rifa caps do fail. I did replace mine without any issues

same on my one smell lovely dont they

 

[carbon]

Well not exactly , but is surprising the amount of smoke that comes out of the grills

 

[Matthew Gunter]

Yes, i could smell the burning while talking to a client on the phone, when i turned and saw the amount of smoke it was quite a surprise

Out of interest where can i get some replacements?

Thanks

 

[carbon]

The place I got mine don’t have any in stock but I see farnell have some Use this to search

PME271M 0.6uf

Tried to post a link but it’s stupidly long

 

[premmington]

I was on holiday in Italy once - I saw a railway welder using a MMA Powcon set connected to the overhead lines (somehow)...?

He had got a little green tent and the set outside with jump leads on the overhead lines.

 

[zeppelin builder]

The place I got mine don’t have any in stock but I see farnell have some Use this to search

PME271M 0.6uf

Tried to post a link but it’s stupidly long

think i used WIMA 0.22 uf 400v ac self healing polyester ones that i use in magnetos

 

[bwservices]

They are the best of the best.. do well on scratch tig too
Every movement of the hand is accompanied by a different tune they are so vocal and make a tick tick tick noise like a metroknome
Sold the patents to kempp.i

i thought it was miller who bought them out

 

[zeppelin builder]

i thought it was miller who bought them out
View attachment 189492

the patent for the inverter was licenced to kemppi and later miller bought them out
i think the yanks still make a powcon clone

 

[carbon]

The newer version is Arcon, according to there website one of the orginal co inventors of the powcon is still involved

 

[Matthew Gunter]

The repair is done, puffy the magic powcon lives on! I’m running a powerdrive 2 and its set for ali, any pointers for settings? 1.2mm wire with 6mm thickness ali. Thanks for your help chaps

 

[carbon]

I only have 1.0mm wire but tend to weld with 90% low range set switch to dip and between 3-4 on wire feeder. When in high range set wire feeder at max and set switch to spray and adjust power to suit. May be a bit different with 1.2mm

 

[Munkul]

The very idea of a simple-to-repair inverter seems to be an antithesis to all manufacturers today. Love that you guys can fix these without too much hassle.

 

[Brad93]

Am I right in thinking the powcon actually operates like an engine drive, and adjusting the Arc Force actually changes your V/A Curve?

Unlike on most other inverters, where adjusting the AF or Dig just pumps more amps in when you hold a tight arc.

 

[carbon]

The 300sm is both constant current and constant voltage capable depending which mode it’s in. It has short arc puddle control when used in gma mode

@Brad93 there are a few different models with the same output capacity but they operate slightly differently. Manuals are still available from a link in an earlier post in this thread if you would like to compare.

 

[Matthew Gunter]

Just a quick update, had a play with the settings, got a nice weld going and then left the boss to play with his new (20 year old?) welder for doing our mig ali jobs. He’s a happy bunny. On the look out for a 300st or a 400smt now. Oh and i’ll get the 550 up and running soon as well next we. really need a welding emoji...

 

[slim_boy_fat]

we. really need a welding emoji...

We've got one......

 

[zeppelin builder]

Am I right in thinking the powcon actually operates like an engine drive, and adjusting the Arc Force actually changes your V/A Curve?

Unlike on most other inverters, where adjusting the AF or Dig just pumps more amps in when you hold a tight arc.

it gives the volt arc curve in the manual
its tweaked to burn 6010 too
i would recomend you get one they are a class machine

 

[bwservices]

was never impressed by the powcon and 6010 or 7010
they made a different version that had separate cell terminals that was supposed to be better

 

[zeppelin builder]

ran some fw a couple of years ago seemed ok