Welding Tips
Travel Speed
There are a range of welding movements used in welding.
Generally some form of zig-zag motion is used to ensure the arc
acts against both sheets to be welded.
The torch should be moved along at a smooth speed that will
give the size of run required. At the same time, the wire is fed
downwards to keep the correct welding distance at all times.
Excessive travel speeds lead to poor fusion and lack of penetration.
While too slow a rate of travel may damage the work piece and
can lead to burning a hole through the material.
Electricity
The electricity flows through the wire and will not leave the wire
unless it is near an earthed object. Electricity always finds the
fastest path to the earth. When the earth cable clamp is connected
to the metal work piece a direct earth connection is created back
to the welder. When the wire touches or is near the earthed work
piece when the trigger is squeezed, electricity flows through
the wire, the metal work piece and then through the earth cable
straight back to the welder.
7. TROUBLESHOOTING
Symptom
Possible
Cause
Suggested Solution
No Power
On/off
switch is off Check on/off switch is in the on position.
Power
supply fault
Test power supply with another product,
avoid using extension leads.
Circuit
breaker
tripped
Check the rating of the circuit breaker
on the supply and other appliances
connected to the circuit.
The welder is a high power device and
it is recommended that it is the only
appliance on the circuit to ensure it has
enough power to operate.
Difficulty
starting arc
Inadequate
earth clamp
connection
Check earth clamp has good connection
to material being welded. Surface for
clamp connections needs to be bare
metal, remove rust or paint.
Welding
technique
Hold torch at correct angle, practice on
scrap material.
Welder cuts
out
Thermal
overload
active
The thermal overload light will light up
and the welder will not operate until
cooled down and the light goes out. This
is normal in heavy welding, allow the unit
to cool down.
Sticking wire
Incorrect
settings
Increase voltage & wire feed speed to
recommended setting.
Coated
work piece
Clean weld area to bare metal.
Incorrect
wire type/
size
Check that the wire type and size is
appropriate for the material being welded.
Excessive
welding wire
consumption
Welding
voltage too
high
Reduce voltage.
Wire size
too small for
material
Change to larger wire size.
WARNING!
THE WELDER SHOULD ONLY BE SERVICED
BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
