I recently picked up a used 251 that was supposed to be in excellant working order. However when I got a bottle for it and went to use it I found out something is wrong with it.


While using it, the feed will randomly stop feeding, and you lose power to the lead.

It will just kick off, and if you hold the trigger it will kick back on for a second then kick off again. I cant get it to weld for more than about 10 seconds befroe it kicks off.

The guy I got it from still insists there was nothing wrong with it.

Any Idea on where to start. I kinda need to get it fixed so im not fully out the $ i spent on it.

Dan

Thermal cutoff gone berzerk?

Did you check the trigger switch in the gun by bypassing it at the plug on the machine with a jumper wire? How about the CB2 circuit breaker?

the machine stays on, but it losses arc and feed. I have gas at the nozzle though, even when i lose arc i still have gas.

Yes it is a mig unit.

The connections are clean, I checked themn first, but Based on the condition of the lead (pretty banged up) i suppose that could be a problem??

Where is the CB2 curcuit breaker?

How do I check the thermal cut off.

If I hold hte trigger it will arc again, but only for a second or two then it dies, then arcs then dies...

I am assuming you have an Ironman 250?

CB1 and CB2 would be located just to the left of the work lead terminals under the cover.

Are you sure that it loses both wire feed and arc?

Does the drive motor stop turning or is the wire not feeding?

Does the wire burn back to the tip or when it stops the wire is still sticking out?

Is the jumper set for 200V or 240V?

Would the machine still be under warranty?

I am assuming you have an Ironman 250?

CB1 and CB2 would be located just to the left of the work lead terminals under the cover.

Are you sure that it loses both wire feed and arc?

Does the drive motor stop turning or is the wire not feeding?

Does the wire burn back to the tip or when it stops the wire is still sticking out?

Is the jumper set for 200V or 240V?

Would the machine still be under warranty?


Its a BetaMig 251, the older version
yes loses both, but gas feed stays on
motor stops
stops buring where ever it is, so sticking out

jumper?

Anyone? I am perplexed by this and its starting to piss me off.

Pretty bad when you have to break out the AC buzz box to do an exhust when you have a nice mig sitting there

Go to the Hobart Welding message board and ask your question there. They are the BEST when it comes to customer service.

http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/

did you check the guide roller? it may have something stuck to it causing it to lose contact?

Does it have a pulse setting maybe or a stitch timer on it? My miller 251 did this before and it was because a forklift ran over my cable and pinched the wires inside the sleeve.