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Help!!! Plasma cutter not working

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by noxided, Aug 5, 2011.

  1. noxided
    Joined: Aug 28, 2006
    Posts: 780

    noxided
    Member

    Ive got a powertorch p20 same as Lincoln electric p20.

    I pull the trigger and I get the air out, but no torch.

    It was working off and on and now nothing.

    Ive got good ground, good tips and cup.
     
  2. My Century(Snap-on) layed down on me last year---same symptoms. Fixed mine with a new microswitch(trigger switch)...got lucky, found one at Radio Shack for a couple bucks.
     
  3. That could be it....................the switch is usually the first to go. I installed a rather heavy switch ass'y from a router.
     
  4. noxided
    Joined: Aug 28, 2006
    Posts: 780

    noxided
    Member

    Thanks, guys I'll give it a try. I looked at the switch and it appeared to function properly at the contact points but you never know.
     
  5. Check it with an ohmeter.
    My problem turned out to be a temp sensor, it would run for a few seconds then stop, only air. bypassed the sensor, all is good so far for 1.5 years.
     
  6. Buzznut
    Joined: May 9, 2008
    Posts: 2,349

    Buzznut
    Member

    Ditto on the switch...they are typically the first to go.
     
  7. Engine man
    Joined: Jan 30, 2011
    Posts: 3,480

    Engine man
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    I'm not familiar with the P20 but usually, if the switch turns on the air, it should also start the arc after a short time delay. Once the air is flowing, hitting the trigger should produce an instant arc.
     
  8. impalamark
    Joined: Jan 31, 2007
    Posts: 78

    impalamark
    Member

    my plasma won't work if the air pressure is to low takes about 60 lbs to get it to arc
     
  9. 50dodge4x4
    Joined: Aug 7, 2004
    Posts: 3,534

    50dodge4x4
    Member

    On my old Century, the parts in the head went bad. There was a tapered post the air pulled up and made contact with a very small switch. As the post wore off, the switch couldn't make contact and wouldn't fire. At first I was able to adjust the switch, but then it wore too much to work again. I was able to rotate the post a little, but after about a year, it was dead. The new head was over $400, so I put that money towards a new bigger unit. Best move I ever made. Gene
     
  10. run
    Joined: Jul 27, 2009
    Posts: 51

    run
    Member

    had a hypertherm start doin that. all the obvious stuff (air pressure, power, connections, switch) seemed fine.

    turned the slotted adjustment screw on the internal filter/drier/separator out a few turns then back in a few past the original setting...been workin ever since
     

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