[TheForge] hobart handler problem ( longer and slightly off topic)

[theforge@mailman.qth.net]

If you want to test the voltage reaching the unit, you can use the other 
receptacle on the same duplex outlet.   This will give you an indication 
of  the voltage reaching your machine.   As someone else has stated, a 
bad internal connection can cause the same problem.    Best place to  
check  voltage for that is last stop before transformer, but I wouldn't 
recomend fishing around in there if you are not real confortable with 
electrical practice.  Not familiar with your machine, but most welders I 
have seen have multiple taps on the primary as well as secondary, so 
sorting them out can be difficult.

Slightly off topic:
   Years ago I traded some cash and old computer equipment for a large 
lathe.   Guy took the computer home to his poorer brother, it stopped 
working after a couple of days.  Brought it back.  I checked it out,  
bad power supply.  Oh well, bad luck, had several, replaced it sent him 
on his way.  Back a couple of days later.  Same problem.  Replaced power 
supply, and old hard drive that looked like it might draw a little too 
much current.  Sent him home again.  Calls back couple of days later 
with same problem.    I decided to crack open one of the bad power 
supplies and check it out.  Both have a burnt current limiting 
resistor(some bad karma there detailed later).  Went to his house and 
checked voltage, which was very low and fluctuated.  Pulled outlet, 
aluminum wiring with some corrosion and old dual use outlet.  Gave him 
cash for the computer, explained the problem to him and left. 

Karmic retribution:
The burned resistor really struck me since I had a sizeable quantity.   
Years before I had been hired to help start a computer repair shop.  
First week after getting benches, tools etc sorted out took an order to 
boss for ten thousand resistors.   The price wasn't astronomical, but 
the volume caught his eye as I expected.  Whats this? he inquired.  
"Current limiting resistor for the power supply" I replied.   " Do they 
go out that often?"  " Never seen one go bad, besides, you usually 
replace the whole power supply"   "Then why do I want ten thousand of 
them?"   "Because it is the cheapest component on an IBM PC that I can 
find, They don't take up any space, and a couple of bills will allow you 
to put 'Over ten thousand parts in stock' on all of your 
advertisements"   The box came a week or two later.


Charles



gladish wrote:

>>If you have lights dimming, chances are they are on the same circuit,
>>and are using some of the capacity.  100 watt bulbs will add up quicker
>>than you think.  You may also want to verify the wire size.   Finally,
>>check the connections on all of the outlets that are wired in series.
>>Often a loose connection or corrosion can cause a voltage drop, which
>>will bump the amperage drawn.   When you put the meter on it under load
>>what was the voltage?
>>    
>>
>
>The light circuit is from a 15a breaker on the main panel (200amp@240
>volts), but the welder runs off a sub panel in the shop.
>
>I used 12 ga. wire for the welder circuit, about 30 feet.
>
>Where would I put the meter to test under load? On another receptacle (there
>are two) on that 20 amp circuit?
>Thanks,
>Andy G.
>
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