This is a plasma issue and not arcdroid, but Im finding it very frustrating and could use some suggestions. I have a Cigweld cutskill 60A im using with my arcdroid. It is a fickle machine that frequently gets unhappy for a few different reasons and decides to stop in the middle of a part.
The Torch has two spring loaded copper pins (“trigger pins”?) that contact a copper ring on the shield cap when it is installed. Im not really sure what they do, are they in series with the trigger wiring?
Anyho, the machine constantly disables the arc and comes up with a fault saying ensure nozzle is correctly fitted or something. It often does this when im 90% through a complicated and expensive part.
My fix for this is I clean these pins and the cap ring with a scotchbrite before every use. Very annoying.
Has anyone else had this problem and found solutions? I’m open to bypassing these pins if they are not essential, or maybe trying some electrical grease or similar to prevent them oxidising so fast
can you send pictures of you torch parts also are you using dry or lubed air?
You can see the two spring loaded terminals that touch the copper ring on the shield.
The air im using is not lubed or dried other than a water trap on the back of the plasma, im using a standard 2hp cheap garage compressor
Don’t quote me I read someone was having your problem and just bridged the two wires in the gun those are a safety for when your cup gets lose just another pain in the a## if I find the article I’ll let you know.
G’day ‘mattwad’, Jdd is correct. The pins/cap ring are a safety feature. Essentially they are there to prevent the use of the torch if the cap is not affixed or not correctly in place. I’ve previously used a pressurised can of “Contact Cleaner” spray on both the pins and cap ring. In theory, you can bypass these pins by shorting them together inside the torch handle, and your plasma machine will think it has the cap on the torch correctly… just don’t operate the torch without the cap inadvertently!!! Hope this helps.
I think I’ll bypass it then.
What are the consequences of running it with the cap improperly fitted? Does it blow molten copper out and destroy things? It already seems to have a habit of doing that sometimes. Im not sure why, maybe slugs of water in the air hose, dunno
Operating the torch with the cap not fitted at all, nor correctly, will not allow the torch to focus the airstream properly and therefore it won’t cut correctly, or at all. The plasma may still initiate but it won’t be able to cut properly without a focussed beam of plasma. ANY water in the airstream of your torch will upset the plasma big time. This is likely what you have experienced previously.
