My MIG welders just...
 

[Closed] My MIG welders just gone pop, any experts in the house !

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Went to use my old Sealey MightyMIG 100 today, it gave out a bit of a course buzz from the transformer, then popped a 13amp fuse. Nothing obvious when I looked inside. Went through loads more fuses trying various scenarios, each time it gives a course buzz for a couple of seconds before popping the fuse, but can't seem to find the fault, unless the transformer is ****ed !

Is it time for a new MIG ?, if so, which one ?


 
Posted : 30/12/2010 5:34 pm
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If its been outside through the cold spell it may just be a build up of condensation. Try leaving it somewhere warm over night to dry out and try it again in the morning.


 
Posted : 30/12/2010 6:10 pm
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Sounds like the windings may have developed a short 👿


 
Posted : 30/12/2010 6:17 pm
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Has been in the garage for years, will take it indoors tonight and try again. Cheers for the tip dropoff.


 
Posted : 30/12/2010 6:19 pm
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I'd be amazed if condensation caused a curable short like that - I'd have thought that if the coils were breached by an arc through the moisture you're probably looking at a permanent short now. Water isn't THAT conductive.

If you've been using it lots you might find you overheated the transformer - did you check out the duty cycle rating on it? Some are rated at quite low current in constant use.


 
Posted : 30/12/2010 6:31 pm
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coffeeking, never got a chance to overheat it, fuse popped before I got a chance 😥


 
Posted : 30/12/2010 6:48 pm
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Any good deals on MIG's about, got one day left before the VAT rise !


 
Posted : 30/12/2010 6:50 pm
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machinemart are having a sale?
have you tried openin hte cover, disconnecting the power cable and checking it's not a short in the cable feeding the transformer? Measure the resistance of the coil primary while you're at it?


 
Posted : 30/12/2010 6:54 pm
 mc
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Sounds like something arcing. Take the cover of, and check for anything obvious wrong.


 
Posted : 30/12/2010 7:20 pm