Long idle time

**HerbD** · 07-17-2011, 09:56 PM

After moving my home shop from the Phoenix area to the mountains north of the Valley, it has taken me almost a year and a half to get a suitable 220v service to the shop. I'm ready to start using my Longevity 200 unit again.

I recall reading that over time, when the units aren't energized, the capacitors lose their charge and when re-energized may fail.

When I plugged the unit in and switched it on I noticed that the digital readout wandered back and forth over a 20-30 amp range. I switched the unit off. Over the next few days I would switch the unit on again, and noticed that with each on/off cycle the readout became more stable. I did not, however, actually strike an arc.

Is there something else I should be doing before actually welding or cutting with the unit? Does a steady readout indicate that the capacitors are now re-conditioned (if that was ever really a concern)?

Thanks,

HerbD

**WookieWelding** · 07-18-2011, 12:13 AM

plug in and WELD /CUT

**Gadget** · 07-18-2011, 06:58 AM

I agree with WW

**KHK** · 07-18-2011, 09:06 AM

Yes go for it. The reference to the caps was when someone was going to remove the cover to work on the welder. "Have the welder un pluged for about 5 to 10 min. before removing the cover"

Good to see you back on the form...We missed your input!

**HerbD** · 07-18-2011, 05:42 PM

Thanks guys, good to be back . . . and with a useable shop! Already have two "jobs" to work on. Friends and neighbors who are remodeling their cabins up here and need some plasma cutting and welding done.

HerbD

**HerbD** · 08-10-2011, 09:06 PM

Finally got back to some welding. As mentioned in an earlier thread I moved to a new shop/house and have been without suitable 220 for almost a year and a half.

First project was to fabricate wall brackets to hold about 300 pounds of oak boards that I'm using to make arts and crafts furniture for the new place. Decided to TIG the pieces instead of using ARC. Welds came out nice and clean. Finished the whole project in black hammer tone enamel.

Feels so good to get back to using a great machine. Time to TIG some aluminum next.

HerbD