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Plasma Problems!!!!

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by biggeorge, Nov 13, 2011.

  1. biggeorge
    Joined: Dec 8, 2006
    Posts: 1,732

    biggeorge
    Member

    My friend has a cheap Chicago Electric Plasma cutter that cut great but he has to recycle to power to make the next cut... The air continues to run after the cut and will not restart if he pulls the trigger... I was at his house this week end and I saw the problem, I cleaned all the connections, the tip and verified the air flow... anyone who has answer, let me know what you think...
     
  2. Blue One
    Joined: Feb 6, 2010
    Posts: 11,521

    Blue One
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Alberta

    Most plasma cutters will not re start for another cut until the airflow stops after the previous cut.

    If the air continues to flow it would seem there is a problem with the solenoid that controls the airflow.

    If there is no adjustment to post flow time that is the problem.

    The problem could have been caused by moisture or dirt in the air which most plasma cutters do not like.

    Possibly the air pressure is set too high ?

    Not sure what else it could be.
     
  3. tooljunkie
    Joined: Oct 18, 2010
    Posts: 209

    tooljunkie
    Member
    from manitoba

    if the air soleniod is stuck,it wont reset to "ready".again,dirty damp air is the enemy of most plasma cutters.
     
  4. outlaw256
    Joined: Jun 26, 2008
    Posts: 2,022

    outlaw256
    Member

    i wish i could answer your question but i cant. i too had one of those chicago electric. cutters. my wife bought it for me for christmas.i was still learning to walk again after a bike wreck, so it didnt get used for almost 18 months. we made about 10 cuts with it and it burnt the circiut board in it.i call the a bunch of times but they told me it was out of warranty.but they would sell me a new board for 150.00. i gave it to a friend who tossed it in the garbage. saving up now for a name brand. good luck with yours.
     
  5. biggeorge
    Joined: Dec 8, 2006
    Posts: 1,732

    biggeorge
    Member

    Thanks we will check air solenoid this weekend. We thought that it was connected to the air staying on.It's always nice to have someone else's input. Thanks again George
     
  6. brigrat
    Joined: Nov 9, 2007
    Posts: 6,068

    brigrat
    Member
    from Wa.St.

    I had this problem on a plazma, turned out being a diode ................
     
  7. biggeorge
    Joined: Dec 8, 2006
    Posts: 1,732

    biggeorge
    Member

    Thanks george


     
  8. hillbilly4008
    Joined: Feb 13, 2009
    Posts: 3,099

    hillbilly4008
    Member
    from Rome NY

    I use a Hypertherm plasma. Like said above, the air has to stop before you can make another cut. What I do is just pull the trigger to get the air to stop, then go ahead and make my next cut. Whats the big hurry? Haste makes waste my friend.
     
  9. Spidercoupe
    Joined: Mar 5, 2005
    Posts: 174

    Spidercoupe
    Member
    from Bevier, MO

    I had a lincoln that did that after about a week of use. I contacted lincoln and they came up with all kind of reasons why it didnt work, [ one was it wouldnt work in a metal building.] I fooled with them for a year, 1 year warrenty run out . then they wanted 250.00 to check it out Plus freight both ways. They talk about buying good brand name products all the time but this soured me on lincoln. Now I have a miller mig a miller tig and will have a miller plasma as soon a money allows.
     
  10. VoodooTwin
    Joined: Jul 13, 2011
    Posts: 3,453

    VoodooTwin
    Member
    from Noo Yawk

    Mine continues to blow air out the nozzle for a few seconds after each cut.....I think it's to cool off the nozzle? I forgot the reason noted in the manual. But perhaps your amperage is cranked too high for the metal being cut. The higher the setting, the longer the airflow will continue. At least that's how mine works....it's a Northern Industrial......
     
  11. biggeorge
    Joined: Dec 8, 2006
    Posts: 1,732

    biggeorge
    Member

    The air just keeps running until you power off and then power back on. Holding the trigger on or recycling the trigger a few times does not have any effect on stopping the air flow. The amps are set just high enough to cut what ever the thickness of piece being cut. Does any one have a wiring diagram of a Chicago Electric Plasma cutter.
    Thanks George
     

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