welder help wanted

[spautoparts]

I have acquired a siegen power mig 180. It needed a new power cable so I got one. Only problem is I dont know where the live and neutral connect to.
Anyone have a clue?

[spautoparts]

Mig 180

[spautoparts]

Inside

[spautoparts]

The two screws in the middle on the bottom bank are undone. I just need to know which one is live and which is neutral

[rustic]

The two screws in the middle on the bottom bank are undone. I just need to know which one is live and which is neutral

Are the terminal marked A1 or A2 if not what?

[spautoparts]

Not labeled and no markings.
Would it kill the machine if it was the wrong way round?

[spautoparts]

Just removed the switch it has this label.

[Fez_uk]

Look up the rotary switch part number on google. May help.

[rustic]

I can't find anything on the internet, but there are a few forums for that welder though.

In theory it shouldn't matter if the line and neutral are swapped over in most electrical appliances. BUT I don't know specifically about welders.

Earth is essential, and MUST NOT be wrongly connected.:doh

On welders, there might be some electrical interference suppression, which can connect to line and neutral, so this might be an issue, but both are normally and equally suppressed.

Any other device like, wire feed motors, might have additional switching and if mains powerered best switched in the live rather than the neutral.

If there are brown and blue wires connected to the other terminals of the switch, then this will help to determine the correct connection.

For example there must be an indicator light, or fan, or motor, work back from any blue or brown wires.


Hope this helps,

Rustic

[spautoparts]

I was thinking along those lines.
I'm going on the theory of matching it up to the wire colours on the opposite side of the switch.

[spautoparts]

Oh well. I have a 50/50 chance
whats the worst that could happen?

[rustic]

Oh well. I have a 50/50 chance
whats the worst that could happen?

NOW
back to basics...
Why was the cable removed in the first place?
What is the history of it?

Is it likely that it was broken anyway, the cable removed for another project, or removed for safety:eek:

Either way, use an extension lead, switch on from a distance... a long way away, in an area if it smokes or worse it doesn't cause any other issues.

Make sure someone else is close by to you just in case.

Good luck

[spautoparts]

Cheers rustic.
the welder was given too me by the father in law. Its one he used in his garage and was working with no faults.
The cable was removed because it was damaged and he didn't want the other mechanics killing themselves with it. Health and safety and all that.
he bought a new one and gave me this

[zippy656]

Ask him, he took it off

[spautoparts]

He can't remember:nenau

[zippy656]

Geting old.


I know how he feels

[rustic]

I was thinking along those lines.
I'm going on the theory of matching it up to the wire colours on the opposite side of the switch.

How many poles are there on the switch, what I mean, how many positions can the switch be in?

eg just on and off will be 2 positions.

[spautoparts]

7 positions from 0 to 6

[spautoparts]

How many poles are there on the switch, what I mean, how many positions can the switch be in?

eg just on and off will be 2 positions.
...

[BIGSEAN]

Is there not a single power switch on the rear? Mine has the same rotary switch on the front but also a on/off toggle on the rear.

[rustic]

The switch is a multi position switch, that sends power to various coils of the transformer. This then sets the overall available welding current.

The colours of these cables could be anything, so best to follow the motor wiring, or fan wiring back and work from there, as suggested.

There are various diagrams on the internet, including one for a sealy 180, looks similar BUT could be wired differently.

Rustic

[firebobby]

The cable was removed because it was damaged and he didn't want the other mechanics killing themselves with it. Health and safety and all that.
he bought a new one and gave me this

Does he like you, I mean, he don't want to kill someone at work, but your OK to knock off :lol:lol

[zippy656]

Does he like you, I mean, he don't want to kill someone at work, but your OK to knock off :lol:lol

Now theres a thought.



Um if you do pop off, can i have your T2

[CliveG]

If that is a rotary switch then it would have an on/off position I'm guessing.If you have a multimeter and you set it on a resistance ohms range you should be able to work out which pair of wires belong to which.Touch the probes together when on resistance(if analogue then the needle will go hard over,if digital then it should read zero),then you will be able to see the circuit you are looking for.If you look at the two connected wires then look at the opposite positions on the switch then in off position there will be no reading between the opposite terminals then when in on position it should read zero.This should give you the pairs you need to connect to.Follow the wires from the internal side of the switch and you should be able to see which is positive and negative.Hope this may be of help.

[spautoparts]

Now theres a thought.



Um if you do pop off, can i have your T2

Haha course you can... it needs welding though :lol :lol

[CliveG]

Having had another look at the terminal connections,if it's like ones I've had dealings with then the pairings should be 1 and 2,3 and 4 etc,try with a multimeter to see if they are the pairs when in on and off positions.

[spautoparts]

If that is a rotary switch then it would have an on/off position I'm guessing.If you have a multimeter and you set it on a resistance ohms range you should be able to work out which pair of wires belong to which.Touch the probes together when on resistance(if analogue then the needle will go hard over,if digital then it should read zero),then you will be able to see the circuit you are looking for.If you look at the two connected wires then look at the opposite positions on the switch then in off position there will be no reading between the opposite terminals then when in on position it should read zero.This should give you the pairs you need to connect to.Follow the wires from the internal side of the switch and you should be able to see which is positive and negative.Hope this may be of help.

Cheers matey.
Im gonna pinch the multimeter from work tomorrow and have a look.

[solarman216]

most welders have one side of the primary windings tied to earth, as this is the same potential as neutral, you should be able to locate the neutral with your meter, but do not guess it could damage the welder if you get it wrong, Rick

[spautoparts]

Thanks for everyone's advice. Its now up and running

[spautoparts]

Tried it on some scrap. Its messy I know but I wanted to see if it worked

[rustic]

Result...:thumb2:thumb2:thumb2

Well done, as I have said before, we know about other things not just Terranos.


The guidance given, was cautionary, test, check and double check...
Steady wins the day.:thumb2

Other forums might have told you to wire it up, any way you want... switch on, then when it goes bang, will try and convince you it was faulty anyway.:eek:

Oh, this story line rings a bell, its how Ford Dealers used to service the Maverick:doh:doh I never found a good one during the three year warranty period.:eek:
Went in with one fault, came out with three.:doh

:lol

[firebobby]

Good news about the welder, you will get a better weld with clean metal, looks like good penetration though.

[spautoparts]

This is why I pay the tenner.
Good knowledge is worth lots of money:thumb2

[solarman216]

I could be wrong, but looks like there is a fair amount of cable on the red drum, if so it will get hot and burn out on a welder always unwind fully, if it was unwound, accept my apologies, as my eyes aint what they used to be, Rick

[zippy656]

Id love to learn how to weld

[solarman216]

Id love to learn how to weld

Pop down here for a day Zipps and I will teach you, Rick

[zippy656]

Thanks rick we may take u up on that.

Me and daughter, be in the summer

Thanks again rick.

[solarman216]

Thanks rick we may take u up on that.

Me and daughter, be in the summer

Thanks again rick.

Welcome any time mate as long as I am at home, just pm me a few days before, Rick

[zippy656]

Welcome any time mate as long as I am at home, just pm me a few days before, Rick

Yep will do

[spautoparts]

Id love to learn how to weld

Its easier than you think. Its all in the preperation.
Buy a cheap welder and have a play. Once you get the settings right on your machine you soon get the hang of it.

[TONUP]

After saving up for some time I finally bought myself a mig welder before Christmas from Machine Mart.

I have messed about with it, and managed to stick some 2mm sheet together, with some limited success, but I think I need some pointers regarding settings and wire types etc.

The welder I bought can do flux core (gasless) and gas welding. I find the gas option produces the best results, but I could do with some tuition.

Rick's offer to Zippy is great, and I would grab his hand off if I were him, but I have looked at at a night school course in West Wilts college, which is around £130.00 for a ten week introduction course.

Regards

Alan

[trophymick]

After saving up for some time I finally bought myself a mig welder before Christmas from Machine Mart.

I have messed about with it, and managed to stick some 2mm sheet together, with some limited success, but I think I need some pointers regarding settings and wire types etc.

The welder I bought can do flux core (gasless) and gas welding. I find the gas option produces the best results, but I could do with some tuition.

Rick's offer to Zippy is great, and I would grab his hand off if I were him, but I have looked at at a night school course in West Wilts college, which is around £130.00 for a ten week introduction course.

Regards

Alan

Have you had a look at the videos and tips on here Alan?
Very helpful site.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/