Functions of the control panel knobs on multi process unit

[vault]

I was hoping we could all discuss and figure out what all the knobs do and when they should be used and I will edit this first post so all the info is in one topic in the very first post in that topic for easy reference and seachabillity. please post corrections and additions: I'm just getting this started.

Arc welding:
AC/DC switch: sets machine in AC current or DC current mode
Square wave/constant wave form?: I assume you want square wave for AC and constant wave form? for DC
peak current: allows you to adjust amperage and will be displayed on digital read out
Basic Current: Does this have any effect on stick?
Arc force: Adjusts the voltage increasing this will create a more forcefull arc will allow for greater electrode to work piece distance and deeper penetration.
Machine can be used for both DCEP and DCEN

TIG welding: (added by Gadget)
Upslope and downslope time: down control the speed the current reaches the set level at the start of the arc and how quickly it tapers off at the end of the cut.
Clean Width: This determines the AC current cycle for welding aluminum, a wider width cleans better but does not penetrate as much. More of the AC cycle going to the negative electrode. Narrower puts more of the AC cycle in the positive cycle penetrating more.
[b]Post Gas[/b:] Determines how long the gas continues to flow after the arc has stopped, longer keeps metal from oxidizing.
Pulse Frequency: Determines the frequency of the AC pulse for welding aluminum, I think faster pulse makes a cleaner weld, slower penetrates more.
basic current: used w/o the foot pedal will limit the AMP to that % of the max out put of the machine use in conjunction with the upslope and down slope dials when using the torch only w/o the foot pedal.
2T/4T: With 2T the arc starts and stops with the logical pedal movement. With 4T you depress the pedal to start and it continues until you let off the pedal and press and release the pedal again.
Arc Force: I have found that when using TIG on thin metal reducing the arc force reduces the chance of blowing through the metal. Again it reduces the voltage not the current.
foot pedal dial: limits the max amperage of the machine EX. if you machine is set to 200A, you are welding something and wish not to go over 100amps, you can turn you dial on the foot pedal half way.
If I am wrong on any of these don't hesitate to let me know. Gadget



Plasma:
Peak current: This is the cutting current and is the only thing that should be adjusted in plasma (must be DC mode, 2T, Square wave off) . all other dials need to be set to 0. The post gas still operates in the same manner as in TIG but you are using compressed air for plasma. (So if you have the post gas flow set to 10s the air will continue to flow through the torch for 10s AFTER releasing the trigger-there is no need for this and it seems as though you cann't re initiate a arc until the post flow stops)

[JOEBIPLANE]

vault,
You are " Da man"
This is exactly what we need!
I have just begun to atempt to tig.. I need to know how the " Peak current" affects the machine in Tig ( without foot pedal and wITH foot pedal)
as well as the relationship of the peak current on the machine and the knob on the foot pedal. i have an idea how it works, but my "FUZZY LOGIC" could well be wrong so I would just like a clear and corect answer to my quest. For now I am just interested in tig on steel ( DC mode only. i don't want to confuse the issue with AC mode for Alum) so.... to tig steel what knobs get set and how do they get set...WITH FOOT PEDAL and WITHOUT FOOT PEDAL
thanks to anyone who can clearly explain the settings..
joe

[Gadget]

My pedal does not have a knob but I was told all current settings should be set to 0 when using the pedal. They are overridden by the pedal.
Hope this helps,
Dan

[vault]

I think I noticed that I could set the amperage to the max I wanted and the foot pedal would modulate up to that set max. I was my first time so I don't have a really good sense between operator technique variations on the arc and setting changes.

post if I made any errors or any addittions and I will edit the initial post to correct it.

a few of the things I would like to know:
how peak current changes the carractorisitc of the amperage
what the dial on the foot pedal does
how to use the two pulse dials on is pulse frequency the other probably % decrease of the amperage of the pulse.
I also just got off the phone with Jesse at longevity about some problems I've had with the plasma and he told me that the other dials other than peak current are still active in plasma mode and need to be set to 0

[LONGEVITY]

Vault,

Your pedal ranges the max amps on the machine. Example, you are welding something and wish not to go over 100amps, you can turn you dial half way. As far as the plasma, only the peak current is what controls the plasma cutter, but your machine should be at 2t if applicable, dc, pulse off and all the other knobs turned down. Having the post flow or others on may pass air constantly though your torch.

Also, for pilot torches check the consumables as they can interfere with a good arc or prevent an arc. Make sure they are tight.

Thanks

[vault]

thanks, I edited you responses into my original post

[vault]

I just talked to Simon about pulse functions I'm not quite clear on what the pulse duty controls (does it change the amerage or voltage or both). but what I could understand from the conversation it it will increase the power of the arc. simon said start with it turned 1/4-1/2 and adjust from there. On thinner material and you are burning through or out of position and your puddle drops out turn it down also simon reccomended turning the pule frequency down. Since I'm not too clear on this and have not messed around with the pulse functions yet I wanted to get some input before I put it in the first post.

I also learned how to use the basic current dial while TIG and added that to the post.

[LONGEVITY]

Vault,

Sorry I was not clear on the phone... let me try again.

Basic current is background current not the peak or actual current and it is used for the low side of the pulse. 1/2, 1/4 or even 1/10 of the peak current.

Arc force is supposed to control the amount of arc on the stick, but it also in our machines puts out ohms on the tig side. Basically, i want to go ahead and start at 1/4 of the way.

Simon

[KHK]

I am moer confused than ever!!

I think that we need is a spread sheet to explain the switch settings and what they do in the different welding functions.
I have start one for the 160P, I am not sure that I can post the sheet, but I will try.
Please let me know of all errors!

This is not the final setting sheet, please help
keith

[vault]

kieth

You want square wave selected for both AC stick and AC TIG