Hyperthem Powermax 380 problem

[devolo]

My 380 only maintains an arc for about 5 seconds before I have to push the torch button again to restart it. It does the same thing again then. Air pressure is good. Is it just worn consumables or worse? I just bought it used and the pac110t shows a lot of use. Where's the best place to by consumables for this? Thanks.

[cruizer]

My 380 only maintains an arc for about 5 seconds before I have to push the torch button again to restart it. It does the same thing again then. Air pressure is good. Is it just worn consumables or worse? I just bought it used and the pac110t shows a lot of use. Where's the best place to by consumables for this? Thanks.

Uhhh, what is your air pressure at , torch depressed, out of curiousity?

Many users feel that they'll get more cut out of the unit if they turn the pressure up, when in fact the unit can't ionize the air fast enough and the main arc blows out.

Or you may have crap in the lines, and the unit can't get enough air flow.

[devolo]

I played with that a bit - 60psi when torch is on. I started with a 60 PSI setting at the gas test setting which is lower then how I have it set now.

Could the internal gas filter be clogged? Would bad consumables be another cause? What do you recommend?

I'm assuming that this isn't a sign of internal board or power problems in the unit itself.

Thanks for you help.

[gnewby]

I don't know if I am following you correctly on this or not but I have the Hypertherm 350 If I have my air regulator set at 60 lb it will not obtain a steady arc. I have to turn up the air supply to the torch to where I have about 75lb or so at the air supply to get enough air to the torch. You might try that and see if it takes care of the problem.

[devolo]

I'm running 90 - 100 to the unit. I set the internal pressure with the 380 regulator to about 70 - 75. The 380 guage drops to about 60 when I press the torch button. I'm assuming that 60 psi on the 380 guage is correct when the arc is on. Thanks - this is the first time I've every used a plasma cutter. Maybe that's part of the problem here.

[Laiky]

Is your ground good? my miller will start the arc without the ground connected but then it stops. Make sure your cable is good too.

[cruizer]

Sounds like the pilot is working, but the arc isn't transfering to the DC cycle. That would explain the 5 second problem. May be gun, guns are generally the fault 80% of the time, or the sense circuit on the machine is at fault.

It may be the work clamp, really want to look at that.

[devolo]

What's a replacement gun for this cost? if it's a circuit problem, is it worth repairing or is it a parts machine? Any idea what a DC switch-over circuit repair would cost?

[cruizer]

The sense circuit would likely be an expensive main board issue, though best take it in for an estimate first.

Since your new with plasma, do you have your ground clamp hooked up to the piece your cutting secure?