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Hobart Plasma cutter help!?!?!

tarafied1

tarafied1

Well-Known Member
I borrowed a plasma cutter to cut some parts off the POS and I broke it! It just quit. I thought I tripped a circuit breaker but no such luck. Anybody know how these things work? The power just won't come on at all. I took the cover off (after asking permission) and I can't find any visual problems but I have no idea what to look for. I was hoping it had a fuse-able link or circuit breaker inside but I don't see one. The owner doesn't have the manual anymore and the place he bought it doesn't service them. Any thoughts?
 
I have heard improper air pressure can stop them as can a bad torch head if it got to hot.
 
there is no power to the compressor to even make pressure. I checked voltage to and from the switch. Switch appears to be okay... any more ideas?
 
I've owned 3 plasma cutters, one was an off brand Italian job, the next was a hypertherm 125c with the built in compressor, and now I have the hypertherm 30, which I just can't get enough of!

Do you have a model number? Is this the one that has the built in air compressor? If not, you need to connect it to one and pump the pressure up, usually over 60psi. Does the power light come on? If it does and your air supply is adequate, then your problem is probably worn consumables.
 
I'm in Indiana this so I can look up the model and call Hobart when I get back home. Yes it has a built in compressor. Looks like the kind I keep in my F150 under the front seat that plugs into cig lighter for emergencies (it's small). No the power light doesn't come on at all. When I first started to use it, the power light came on and a fan started as soon as you turned on the switch. When it quit, it just completely shut off everything. That's why I thought I tripper a breaker. It doesn't do anything at all now.
 
Did you verify that you do have power out of the wall.....not just looking at the breaker?
 
"AzPete" said:
Did you verify that you do have power out of the wall.....not just looking at the breaker?
Click to expand...

That happened to me one. I set down my side grinder on the power cord and cut it enough to kill power at the outlet. I checked the breaker and it was good. I was starting to rip things apart and found that there was a GFI receptacle "hidden" behind my bead blast cabinet. Hit the reset and all was good.
 
Yes, I checked it at several outlets and even used my drop cord light to verify the outlets was working. Then I took my volt meter and verified that the power was getting to the on/off switch and traced it from the switch. it has power until what looks like a giant capacitor or coil. It has 115v going in with two wires, one black and one white wire, three wires coming out (white, red & blue I think). No volts on the three wires.
 
First, test the capacitor by using the old tongue on the leads trick.
 
My hypertherm 125c had an overheat safety that would turn the unit off when it overheated, on my unit the power light remained on a temp LED would also come on letting you know that you were in overheat mode. I think you'll need the model number and then do an internet search if you don't get anywhere with Hobart. You'd be surprised how consistent problems are with these machines, meaning someone has probably posted about your exact model/machine and issue on the net.
 
thanks, I had noticed it has about three LED lights on the panel but none were lit after it quit working and I wasn't looking at them when it was working. I only used it for a few minutes before it quit but it seamed okay. I feel bad cuz I borrowed it now it's broke. I'd like to get it fixed so I can give it back! I'll check on model and stuff when I get home. Thanks
 
"tarafied1" said:
thanks for all the :fbomb help :craz
Click to expand...

Since mine does not have a built in compressor (never heard of that one before) :nta
 
Just got home and haven't had time to call Hobart, but here is a picture of the inards... the yellow thing in the lower right corner is my suspect
72_24_09_10_7_17_06_0.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
maybe there are still some "corn squeezins" left in that copper tube from when you had it on your still. i know how you do things up there in kentucky.
 
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