Plasma Cutter Problems Hypotherm 380

[Jerry Blair]

A couple of years ago I bought a used plasma cutter from an internet friend in MA. I used it to cut the roof and fenders off a hard top samurai and to cut several pieces of exhaust tubing. During the sammy butchery the torch stopped working. I can see a blue spark in the torch, and I hear the air coming through, but it will not strike any kind of arc or cut anything.

The air source I was using at the time was questionable. I was at a friend's shop. I have hooked the cutter up to my clean air at home but have no luck. Any ideas what I need to do to get this thing to work?

[rkcrawl]

Jerry -

Have you looked at the consumables in the torch and replaced them if they need it?

Jim

[fj40guy]

Check the consumables. :)

My Hyperthem 900 "died" on me... really ticked me off as I had installed new consumables the last time I used it. Checking further I discovered I had used the WRONG consumble center part. Replaced that, fired right up. :laughing:

Yep, safety circuit doesn't allow for the arc is the torch tip is not installed correctly. :flipoff2:

Tom :usa:

[AlumCJ]

MY 350 did that, and it turned out to be the swirl ring was cracked (brown thing, about the size of a shock spacer)...its like 15 bucks.

[redrangie]

Been there.

Hypertherm definitely put a lot of thought into longevity of their units, but that tip switch gets me every time. I hate that I have to re-start the machine after switching the nozzle.

Anyway, NEVER just go to the store and have them look up the part number. Hypertherm's books are really confusing, and the counter guys don't usually have these machines, so they aren't familiar with them by sight. Take your manual with you, or copy the parts listing from it. It will save you the most hassle. Also, if you have an Airgas store in your area, they are the ones to get your stuff from. Most prolific selection for hypertherm on the planet.

j


Check the consumables. :)

My Hyperthem 900 "died" on me... really ticked me off as I had installed new consumables the last time I used it. Checking further I discovered I had used the WRONG consumble center part. Replaced that, fired right up. :laughing:

Yep, safety circuit doesn't allow for the arc is the torch tip is not installed correctly. :flipoff2:

Tom :usa:

[JeeponRock]

On mine, if the pressure isn't right where it needs to be, it will do just that. It will not fire an arc, but just flow air. I've also noticed that the air has to be set up running, not the static pressure. If there is a drop when the trigger is pulled, the arc might not strike.

I know it is an over simple problem, but those are usually the ones that trip us up. We always want things to be more complicated than they are... At least I do.

[m016324]

something that wasn't said is the ground if you don't have a good ground it won't switch to high frequency and strike an arc. Obviously that's probably not the problem but I thought I'd throw it out there since that's exactly what happens when you don't have a good ground.

-ben

[Jerry Blair]

Hey everyone. Thanks for your help. I had put my plasma cutter away so long ago I had forgotten what I had. I have a Thermal Dynamics 38XL.

Anyway, I took everyone's advise. Replaced the end on the ground, replaced all the consumables (cost over $100 for a Cap, 4 tips, 4 electrodes, 1 gas ring). Still cheaper than a new torch at about $300. And, since they don't make my torch anymore another $125 for a spare parts kit and $35 for a "torch adapter" to make it work with my older plasma cutter.

I also stepped it up to 220V because I only had a 15A 115V outlet in my garage. Needs minimum of 20A to work, prefers 30A. This model is switchable to 220 so I put a new end on the cord per the owners manual, flipped a little switch on the side and away I went.

It now cuts perfectly just like it is supposed to. Especially on 1/8" and 3/16". It is supposed to be good up to 3/8", but I couldn't get 1/4" to cut very easily. Maybe more practice is in order.

Thanks again for all the help. I believe the main cause of the problem was the little gas ring. :D

[Jerry Blair]

After more practice I am extremely impressed with this tool. I can make perfect cuts up to 3/8" with no problem.

Thanks again for everyones' help.