Repair your semi-automatic welding machine

Is it possible to repair the welding machine on their own? This requires knowledge of the typical for a certain type of device faults and the options available for their elimination. Next, we will talk about the features of repairing a semi-automatic welding machine with our own hands, which is widely used in modern conditions.

The welding semiautomatic device is the electrotechnical device intended for welding process with use of an electrode.

Structurally, the welding semiautomatic device is equipped with high-frequency electronics. The latter has the property not only to increase the working capacity of the aggregates, but also often to show its “capricious” character.

Repair for automatic welding machine

The repair procedure of an inverter semi-automatic welding machine (the model and the manufacturer have no effect) begins with a typical opening of the device and inspecting the internal parts. It is possible that during the initial inspection it will be possible to identify the damaged part.

If external changes are not observed, then they are taken for diagnosis.

Diagnosing and fixing violations

Scheme of the device welding semiautomatic.

First, check the fuses available on the management board. By means of a tester or ohmmeter, a broken element is calculated by dismantling the board. Having found it, they carefully change it to a new one and perform the reassembly of the semiautomatic device. With the working condition of all starters, they are looking for a problem further, analyzing possible malfunctions of the circuit.

Often the repair of the welding machine is associated with faults of field-effect transistors, which are the weakest point. Symptoms of faults (they were mentioned above) apparently do not manifest themselves completely at this group of elements. It is rarely possible to crack the body and melt the findings. These features make us search for burned transistors by alternately ringing out a multimeter.

Another moment of diagnosis is the control of the components of the driver responsible for the operation of field-effect transistors. Worn out items can be determined by means of an ohmmeter.

Welding rectifier circuit.

Pay attention: in order not to be confused, it is recommended that both the driver elements and the transistors ring up relative to the circuit of the existing inverter semiautomatic device, choosing the direction in advance (for example, from top to bottom). In this case, the risk of not taking into account anything or omitting any element will be reduced to zero.

If the malfunction is still not found, the diagnosis completes the verification of the main elements of the rectifiers (or diode bridges). The latter are the most reliable parts of the inverter apparatus for welding and fail infrequently, but it is not advisable to completely discount the probability of their failure. In order to diagnose diodes located on radiators, they are unpacked from the board. The working diode changes resistance from plus to minus and vice versa. With other test results, the diodes are thrown away.

Repair of a semiautomatic device at detection of the malfunctions described above, comes down to replacement of the failed components.

Recommendations of professionals in the repair of inverter semi-automatic

Overheating is often the cause of faults in the transistor. In the case of checking the inside of the unit, it is useful to replace the thermal paste at the points of contact with the heat sink plate just in case.

And in case of elimination of breakage it is possible to run a look through contacts. Those that do not seem very neat, cleaned and connected.

Repair semi-automatic welding yourself

Self-repair of a semi-automatic welding machine is a rather favorite process among masters who often perform bodywork.

Scheme of the welding transformer.

But he is not always possible. Although, with a minor breakdown, an attempt to find it may not be devoid of meaning.

One of the problems that do not require mandatory professional intervention is the sticking of the electrode when the amperage is selected correctly. Causes of damage are the following factors:

• weak mains voltage (it will change over time, so no need to interfere);
• the cable “walks” in the socket (correct or replace the worn out connector);
• contacts in the power supply are burnt: another extension is picked up with a wire diameter greater than 2.5 mm, when the length is about 40 m, and 4 mm if it is longer.

In case of instability of the welding arc or incomplete melting of the wire used, the contact tip may have become unsuitable or the grounding clamp is incorrectly attached. To get rid of the inconvenience in the work, the tip is replaced and the area of ​​the clip is cleaned of dirt.

Shutdown in the supply of protective gas, affecting the poor quality of the weld, can be caused by breakdowns of the gas diffuser. The problem is solved by replacing the element.

So, most of the problems are eliminated by the option of changing the quickly wearing parts of the welding machine. When all actions do not help, resort to the help of the service center, which has at its disposal the required technical base for repairing welding machines.