MIG welder not up to power

[Bob Kontak]

Shop neighbor has a 220 mig welder.

Says it is welding like it only has 110V. Also said a guy used it just prior that was used to an industrial mig that does not have a cool down period.

I don't know squat about these, but is there a common failure component if these smaller units are over worked?

Not trying to dump a comprehensive question into the mix, just looking for a few pointers before I get into deeper research.

Thanks

[widebody911]

What are the symptoms? Did he verify that it's really getting 220v?

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by widebody911

What are the symptoms? Did he verify that it's really getting 220v?

Fair enough. I also found the owner's manual online and there are all many adjustments for power levels.

Let me ask him a few questions and get back.

[fastfredracing]

The last time my welder went down, it was just a bad connection at the end of the power cable into the transformer, or whatever that huge thing in there is. Connections on welders carry a ton of current, and if there is a dirty , or corroded connection, it becomes an open connection rather quickly .

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

The last time my welder went down, it was just a bad connection at the end of the power cable into the transformer, or whatever that huge thing in there is. Connections on welders carry a ton of current, and if there is a dirty , or corroded connection, it becomes an open connection rather quickly .

+1 Yep! Not sure how to fix it but I finally opened it and found some "it's-been-cooking" at the connection marks.

It may boil down to one poor primary connection that messes with the big fat transformer thingies but it's officially out of my league now.

Connection below is poor. Burnt connector slides on and off the male spade without much tension.



Big transformer has burn marks on it.

Oops - see post below.......

All I can do is tighten and clean those connections I can and get it back to owner for a test.

Thanks!

[Bob Kontak]

Sorry - here is the second pic I meant to post.