R-Tech 161 TIG fault

[lud]

If you don't have much experience with electronics, I'd find out what it would cost for R-Tech to do the repair as above. They might (for instance) notice something else amiss which could have caused the board to fail. Or at least ask their advice on what's involved in fitting it.

If it does need soldering to fit (sounds a bit odd for a PCB, but I haven't looked closely at mine for a long time) and you're learning on this, or if there is some other pre-existing fault you might end up damaging it or having it blow again.

I took mine along to them after this thread, when the 2nd board failed and they fitted a replacement while I was on another job round the corner and didn't even charge me for it.

I did ask their advice on fitting. Very fast and pleasant service. I reckon I could do it (although super slow) but I'm thinking that's a very general diagnose to change the pcb to fix the fault and what if it won't.
I dont have a vehicule so would have to ship it to them if i want them to look at it and swap pcb. Might get costly with that weight? I've no idea what a courier would cost. Have to look into this.

Tomorrow I'll open it again and check all connections and assess the job better before anything or making a decision.

Thanks for your replies. Its helping me out to think it through.
What a pain, i only got to use it once since i bought it...

 

[lud]

For info Ben at rtech said there's 3 connections to solder and the rest is plugs. I only had pics to identify them but it seems correct and I'll check them on the machine tomorrow at the workshop.

 

[lud]

I had a thorough look today and I'm confident i can do the swap (2 easy wires to solder, the rest is lose wires to screw on and plugs.
All well accessible and nothing near anything potentially dangerous.. I'll take precautions not to damage anything during the procedure.
Then 4 screws holding the pcb.

Still don't like the idea of swapping pcb without finding the cause.

All components are visually in good condition except one on another pcb.