stag 186 dead

[Galwaymick]

Hi all
am after some help trying to fix my cebora stag 186. I was welding away quite happily today (repairing the axle on my trailer) turned the machine off for lunch and when I returned about 20min later the machine was dead,
now im not to good with electronics but will tell you what I can. I have power to the machine (fan running) I also have 240v power up to the 1st contactor/relay? on the pcb ( grey plastic box with the following markings finder type45.61 16a 250v 24v dc) but I have no readings fro the other side of this in either ac or dc and at any voltage. Removed the power to the fan to try and hear any clicks or other noises from the pcb but it was completely silent. I also tested the continuity of the wires in the torch down to the pcb green plug and this was ok. now I know the machine is quite old and its kept in a damp shed but its never let me down before so im reluctant to bin it (besides im skint) Im also slightly up a certain creek without a paddle without my trailer.
thanks in advace
Mike

 

[Robotstar5]

It does sound like a PCB fault but as it lives in damp conditions it may be a corroded connection somewhere, try operating all the switches a few times to clean the contacts also remove and reconnect any plugs / blade connectors inside the machine (with the power OFF!) to ensure a good contact.

 

[Galwaymick]

will try and thanks for the reply, any other ideas????

 

[Galwaymick]

tried cleaning still dead anyone got any other ideas or what kind of electronics trade would be able to test the componants for me,(back end of nowere and as such welding specialist are few and far between over here).

 

[the snooper]

thermal cut out gone ? is there any lights illuminated that dont normally

 

[Galwaymick]

Hi all again, still no joy with sorcing someone to check over my board I have even tried a couple of uk firms but they say they would either need the complete welder or build jig to test the board, (both cost prohibitive), does anyone know were I can sorce a new or remanufactured board at a resonable cost.
Many thsnks
Mike

 

[Wozzaaah]

You could try asking Dave (notanormalcoder), he seems to be the Cebora guru on here so might be able to source you a PCB.
The other option is to try ashleytinker for a repair.

 

[Rosepuds]

I can test the PCB if you want, (repaired the cebora stag pcb a few times in the past). Send me a PM if your interested.

 

[NotANormalCoder]

Stupid suggestion but before sending off the pcb or trying anything else, try shorting the two tiny sockets in the torch adaptor at the machine end (with the machine turned on). Regular problem with this machine was arcing of the switch contacts in the gun and eventually this stops the machine triggering. Doing this bypasses the trigger. Watch out for wire coming out of the adaptor if it works.
Otherwise, sounds like PCB is dead.
HTH Dave

 

[Galwaymick]

Hi all thanks for all the replies, still no joy, Rosepuds thanks for the offer I may well be in touch in the next couple of days, as of this evening I have been given a contact number for a guy down in clonmel (a couple of hours drive) who apparently may have be able to fault find the machine, I won't know untill I give him a call tommorow. Fingers crossed.

 

[Steven burke]

Hi all thanks for all the replies, still no joy, Rosepuds thanks for the offer I may well be in touch in the next couple of days, as of this evening I have been given a contact number for a guy down in clonmel (a couple of hours drive) who apparently may have be able to fault find the machine, I won't know untill I give him a call tommorow. Fingers crossed.

Hi galway who is Clonmel have you to look at your welder? I have a snap on/cebora that’s acting up

 

[NotANormalCoder]

Major problem with these older Ceboras, is failure of the small transformer on the PCB. If the mains supply is on but Green LED on the front panel, near the wire speed knob, is not illuminated, then 99% it's the transformer. This assumes that you have checked the mains cable connections to the main on/off/voltage range switch. These can easily be pulled off if the cable gets a good tug by someone tripping over the lead.
Anyway, transformer on the PCB is 240V primary, 24V secondary, between 5Va and 7Va capacity. If you understand electronics a bit and can solder, this is not a major job and replacement transformers are pretty cheap.
Good luck
Dave

 

[Galwaymick]

sorry Steven but I haven't got a clue who it was (no longer have his number). He apparently used to advertise on donedeal but I know he was in bad health when I met up with him so he might not even be around now.
Mike