Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on idler
controls.
Do Weldtron idlers use any external reed switches or
current transformers to sense the use of power?
- Yes and No. No...our invented idler controls contain a special
hall effect switch contained within the circuit board to sense AC or DC power,
individually or concurrently. Thus, no need for external triggering
devices. You will notice a little square black box on the circuit board.
This is the current sensor you simply route a wire through without the need to
physically attach it to the circuit.
- Yes...our generic replacement idlers use the original OEM's internal
factory switches and apparatus to trigger the idle board that the machine was
manufactured with.
My Weldtron-57 idler quits working after about 20
seconds and then won't operate again. If
I turn the machine off for awhile and then start it again, the system works for
about another 20 seconds and then quits again. What causes that?
- First, it's the normal operation of the Weldtron-57's automatic
protective circuitry. What has happened is that there is some binding or
mechanical problem with the throttle linkage that prevents the solenoid from
fully retracting and tripping the internal switch that switches from
intermittent duty (40 amps pull) to continuous duty (.8 amps) functions.
If the solenoid does not switch out of the intermittent mode it will destroy
itself within minutes.
- The most common cause for this is that the throttle idle stop
adjustment is contacting the carburetor body. Let the Weldtron-57
solenoid control the idle speed by adjusting idle speed by the nuts on the
threaded plunger of the solenoid...not the idle adjustment screw on the
carburetor.
My Weldtron-57 idler has been working great for
about a year and now it won't pick-up on striking an arc. It's OK when
using the grinder but won't sense the striking of an arc. What's the
problem?
- It's the sensing wire that runs through the hole on the circuit board
sensor. If the unit works with the grinder but not the welding current,
the circuit board is OK. What has happened is that one end of the
sensing wire that attaches to the welding lead has become corroded or loose
and is no longer making very good contact with the welding cable. Shine
up the contact points on the cable and clean the sensing wire connections.
Reattach and the system should work correctly. WARNING! Do not use
any type of spray cleaner or lubricant on the connections...it will only make
them worse. In some rare cases we have had people covering the
connections with liquid electrical tape. DON'T do it, use electrical
tape only. The liquid will insulate the sensing wire from the welding
cable.
I have installed one of your idlers with the
internal sensor and it worked great. Now, when I plug in my old fashioned
Cable brand remote amperage control the machine won't idle down. Why?
- Nothing's wrong with your machine wiring. You installed it
correctly. The problem is with the way the remote control is connected
to the machine's wiring system. The way that the Cable brand remote is
installed causes it to route the machine's field current through the sensor,
tricking the idler control into thinking that you are using power. See
the technical solution contained on the technical pages for a cure to the
problem and the correct way to reconnect the Cable brand remote.
I have an old Lincoln with a R-57 vacuum idler that
is in good operational shape and would like to buy the Linc-III upgrade module.
Now, I understand that the Linc-III is discontinued. I don't want to
install a whole new system until my R-57 needs replacement. What can I do?
- The Linc-III was discontinued on April 26, 2006. Many, many
machines since 1990 had been upgraded with it. We have replaced it with
our Weldtron-UI idler module by including a single 5 ohm, 25 Watt resistor
that is inserted inline with the solenoid's battery power. The reason we
discontinued the Linc-III and switched to the Weldtron-UI is because when the
R-57 vacuum idler solenoid or vacuum diaphragm becomes inoperable and parts
cannot be obtained, you will have already installed half of the Weldtron-57
idler system on your machine and only need to purchase a solenoid (either ours
or someone else's) and you are back in business. No need to buy a whole
new system.