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Metalworking (rec.crafts.metalworking) Discuss various aspects of working with metal, such as machining, welding, metal joining, screwing, casting, hardening/tempering, blacksmithing/forging, spinning and hammer work, sheet metal work. |
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#1
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Problem with Hypertherm Powermax 380 plasma cutter
I'm getting a "Gas pressure" fault on my plasma cutter (Hypertherm
Powermax 380). The PC monitors the gas (air in my case) pressure & inhibits power to the torch if it falls below 40 psi. I've: - checked the pressure on the supply line - it never drops below 80 psi - changed the filter on the PC The PC has a built-in air regulator & gauge. It's set to 60 psi, as it it is supposed to be. The pressure doesn't drop when the torch trigger is pulled & gas flows. If I set the PC's regulator to 80 psi it works. Sometimes. The owners manual says to check the torch lead for pinched hose or obstructions. This suggests that there is a pressure sensor in the torch & upping the regulator satisfies it. But the parts diagram doesn't show one. Any ideas? Before I start tearing it apart, which I'd really rather not do. Thanks, Bob |
#2
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Problem with Hypertherm Powermax 380 plasma cutter
PS - I went to the Hypertherm web site to order a Service Manual. $9,
thats reasonable. Plus $13 shipping! That's not only unreasonable, it's offensive. Still, it's just $22 total. Anybody know how good the Hypertherm service manuals are? Bob |
#3
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Problem with Hypertherm Powermax 380 plasma cutter
"Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message ... PS - I went to the Hypertherm web site to order a Service Manual. $9, thats reasonable. Plus $13 shipping! That's not only unreasonable, it's offensive. Still, it's just $22 total. Anybody know how good the Hypertherm service manuals are? Bob I don't know about the manual but the phone techs are pretty sharp and will walk you through diagnosing the problem. Steve |
#4
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Problem with Hypertherm Powermax 380 plasma cutter
"Bob Engelhardt" wrote: (clip) Any ideas? Before I start tearing it apart, which I'd really rather not do. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This may be too obvious to mention, but are you sure the tip is free of obstructions? (Warning: the first time I took mine apart, I didn't know what to expect, and I lost the electrode.) BTW, in case you are new to this, the electrode and the tip are consumables--it's a good idea to keep spares on hand. |
#5
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Problem with Hypertherm Powermax 380 plasma cutter
Up North wrote: "Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message ... PS - I went to the Hypertherm web site to order a Service Manual. $9, thats reasonable. Plus $13 shipping! That's not only unreasonable, it's offensive. Still, it's just $22 total. Anybody know how good the Hypertherm service manuals are? Bob I don't know about the manual but the phone techs are pretty sharp and will walk you through diagnosing the problem. Steve Last time I looked they had the manuals available for download in PDF format. |
#6
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
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Problem with Hypertherm Powermax 380 plasma cutter
Bob Engelhardt wrote: I'm getting a "Gas pressure" fault on my plasma cutter (Hypertherm Powermax 380). The PC monitors the gas (air in my case) pressure & inhibits power to the torch if it falls below 40 psi. I've: - checked the pressure on the supply line - it never drops below 80 psi - changed the filter on the PC The PC has a built-in air regulator & gauge. It's set to 60 psi, as it it is supposed to be. The pressure doesn't drop when the torch trigger is pulled & gas flows. If I set the PC's regulator to 80 psi it works. Sometimes. The owners manual says to check the torch lead for pinched hose or obstructions. This suggests that there is a pressure sensor in the torch & upping the regulator satisfies it. But the parts diagram doesn't show one. Any ideas? Before I start tearing it apart, which I'd really rather not do. Thanks, Bob There is no pressure sensor in the torch. The regulator, solenoid valve and pressure sensor are all in the main unit. |
#7
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Problem with Hypertherm Powermax 380 plasma cutter
On Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:26:07 -0600, "Pete C."
wrote: Up North wrote: "Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message ... PS - I went to the Hypertherm web site to order a Service Manual. $9, thats reasonable. Plus $13 shipping! That's not only unreasonable, it's offensive. Still, it's just $22 total. Anybody know how good the Hypertherm service manuals are? Bob I don't know about the manual but the phone techs are pretty sharp and will walk you through diagnosing the problem. Steve Last time I looked they had the manuals available for download in PDF format. Try this link (2.4mb): https://www.hypertherm.com/library/f...)/803990r0.pdf This manual is suppose to be for common problems (707kb): https://www.hypertherm.com/library/f...oblemsRev2.pdf or go to this page and start entering your data: https://www.hypertherm.com/Xnet/libr...entLibrary.jsp The operator, product info and some service training manuals are available too. -- Leon Fisk Grand Rapids MI/Zone 5b Remove no.spam for email |
#8
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
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Problem with Hypertherm Powermax 380 plasma cutter
Up North wrote:
I don't know about the manual but the phone techs are pretty sharp and will walk you through diagnosing the problem. Thanks! I probably wouldn't even have tried calling. I.e., I didn't think of that! Duh. Bob |
#9
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Problem with Hypertherm Powermax 380 plasma cutter
Pete C. wrote:
Last time I looked they had the manuals available for download in PDF format. I didn't see that, so I went back & looked. The manuals were for sale at hypermax.org (weird) but no downloads. I went to hypertherm.com & after some digging around, found the Service Manual to download. Thank you! Bob |
#10
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Problem with Hypertherm Powermax 380 plasma cutter
Leon Fisk wrote:
Try this link (2.4mb): https://www.hypertherm.com/library/f...)/803990r0.pdf That's the one I found. Couldn't download the pdf, so I got the zip. This manual is suppose to be for common problems (707kb): https://www.hypertherm.com/library/f...oblemsRev2.pdf Good, I didn't see that one. Thank you, Bob |
#11
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
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Problem with Hypertherm Powermax 380 plasma cutter
On Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:28:59 -0500, Bob Engelhardt
wrote: I'm getting a "Gas pressure" fault on my plasma cutter (Hypertherm Powermax 380). The PC monitors the gas (air in my case) pressure & inhibits power to the torch if it falls below 40 psi. I've: - checked the pressure on the supply line - it never drops below 80 psi - changed the filter on the PC The PC has a built-in air regulator & gauge. It's set to 60 psi, as it it is supposed to be. The pressure doesn't drop when the torch trigger is pulled & gas flows. If I set the PC's regulator to 80 psi it works. Sometimes. The owners manual says to check the torch lead for pinched hose or obstructions. This suggests that there is a pressure sensor in the torch & upping the regulator satisfies it. But the parts diagram doesn't show one. Any ideas? Before I start tearing it apart, which I'd really rather not do. Thanks, Bob There WILL be a safety pressure sensor somewhere i n there. Should be pretty easy to find. Simply follow the air line in..and look for the thingy with the wires on it. Gunner "They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist..." Maj. Gen. John Sedgewick, killed by a sniper in 1864 at the battle of Spotsylvania |
#12
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Problem with Hypertherm Powermax 380 plasma cutter
Leo Lichtman wrote:
This may be too obvious to mention, but are you sure the tip is free of obstructions? ... I didn't think that would cause my symptoms, but ... So I replaced both the tip & electrode, just for something to try. No effect, but thanks anyhow. Bob |
#13
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
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Problem with Hypertherm Powermax 380 plasma cutter
Pete C. wrote:
There is no pressure sensor in the torch. The regulator, solenoid valve and pressure sensor are all in the main unit. Thanks. Maybe the pressure sensor senses over pressure as well. That would explain why my manual said the check the torch lead for kinks and/or obstructions. I.e., a lead blockage would result in higher pressure at the sensor. Bob |
#14
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
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Problem with Hypertherm Powermax 380 plasma cutter
Bob Engelhardt wrote: Pete C. wrote: There is no pressure sensor in the torch. The regulator, solenoid valve and pressure sensor are all in the main unit. Thanks. Maybe the pressure sensor senses over pressure as well. That would explain why my manual said the check the torch lead for kinks and/or obstructions. I.e., a lead blockage would result in higher pressure at the sensor. Bob Possibly. I know on my Powermax 1000, it is a real pressure sensor, not just a pressure switch. |
#15
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Follow up - Problem with Hypertherm Powermax 380 plasma cutter
Boy, do I feel stupid! It was just a matter of correct adjustment of
its regulator!! Bob Engelhardt wrote: ... The PC has a built-in air regulator & gauge. It's set to 60 psi, as it it is supposed to be. The pressure doesn't drop when the torch trigger is pulled & gas flows. ... That's not true - it does drop & it's supposed to be adjusted while the air is flowing. There's even a special setting to allow it to flow without energizing the torch. 'Cause I didn't RTFM, I adjusted it static, then it was too low with gas flowing. My apologies for wasting the time of those who replied, Bob |
#16
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Problem with Hypertherm Powermax 380 plasma cutter
Bob -
I have a 600 and it is nice. If you are new to these, then I suspect the issue is Static pressure vs. dynamic pressure. They need 40 at maximum air flow. e.g. can your tank supply 40 when the torch is cooling ? Often the issue is the flow rate. Set pressure when the torch is turned to cooling mode. Normally below zero on the current control. So many people set pressure in a non-flow condition and it dies when used - being starved to death. Martin Bob Engelhardt wrote: I'm getting a "Gas pressure" fault on my plasma cutter (Hypertherm Powermax 380). The PC monitors the gas (air in my case) pressure & inhibits power to the torch if it falls below 40 psi. I've: - checked the pressure on the supply line - it never drops below 80 psi - changed the filter on the PC The PC has a built-in air regulator & gauge. It's set to 60 psi, as it it is supposed to be. The pressure doesn't drop when the torch trigger is pulled & gas flows. If I set the PC's regulator to 80 psi it works. Sometimes. The owners manual says to check the torch lead for pinched hose or obstructions. This suggests that there is a pressure sensor in the torch & upping the regulator satisfies it. But the parts diagram doesn't show one. Any ideas? Before I start tearing it apart, which I'd really rather not do. Thanks, Bob |
#17
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Problem with Hypertherm Powermax 380 plasma cutter
The .com is the company that makes the plasma machine and parts.....
The .org is a company that is aligned (but not owned by) and sells items for money. They have good prices. Manuals are thankfully on the other site. Martin Bob Engelhardt wrote: Pete C. wrote: Last time I looked they had the manuals available for download in PDF format. I didn't see that, so I went back & looked. The manuals were for sale at hypermax.org (weird) but no downloads. I went to hypertherm.com & after some digging around, found the Service Manual to download. Thank you! Bob |
#18
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Problem with Hypertherm Powermax 380 plasma cutter
If you run a torch without filters - from a rusty internal tank -
you can clog up the hose and torch. Be sure you have the dynamic (flowing) air pressure in the torch head before going to far. Martin Bob Engelhardt wrote: Pete C. wrote: There is no pressure sensor in the torch. The regulator, solenoid valve and pressure sensor are all in the main unit. Thanks. Maybe the pressure sensor senses over pressure as well. That would explain why my manual said the check the torch lead for kinks and/or obstructions. I.e., a lead blockage would result in higher pressure at the sensor. Bob |
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