Lincoln Idealarc 250 - problems with power to leads

[soapthedog45]

I have an old (guessing 1960s) Idealarc 250. I have to crank it up to full power just to get a hot enough bead to weld 1/8 steel. Even then the welder will weld for about 2 seconds and the arc willl shut off. Then the arc will come back but only for about 1 or 2 more seconds. Can someone help me out here? Thank you

[roberthoting]

A couple things that you can check. Check your input cord first. Check to see if the plug is in good condition. If it a plug that you can open up take the screws out and check to see if there is a loose wire inside. If the plug is in good condition then check the rest of the input cord for cuts and damage. Check to see if cord is in good condition going into the welder. If that is all good then check your electrode and work leads. Sometimes a loose connection at the work clamp or the electrode clamp will give you problems. If those things all check out good then you will probably have to have the power source looked at by an experienced repair shop. The machine just may need some minor internal repairs. I hope this helps you out... Let me know what you find out....

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[eastexan]

Soap, if you still haven't found your problem, you might post you question here.
Lincoln - WeldingWeb™ - Welding forum for pros and enthusiasts

There are several there who love fixing up old Idealarcs. They can probably help you figure out what's wrong with yours.
I have one and love it. They are a great machine.

[soapthedog45]

Robert , thank you. While searching for loose or broke wires, I noticed that the wires labeled H1 and H3 were hooked up to the power switch with H2 hanging. On my other Idealarc H1 and H2 are hooked to the power switch and H3 was just hanging. ( I recently got 2 welders at an auction). I removed H3 and let it hang and hooked up H2 to the power switch and the welder is working perfectly. Do you know why H3 was hooked up? Do you know what H3 is used for? Thanks again.

[Sberry]

Whoa, it was probably wired 120. There should be 3 wires in the cord, 2 the "hots to the switch and the ground going to the chassis of the machine. Are all 3 wires from the cord connected?

[Todd727]

Robert , thank you. While searching for loose or broke wires, I noticed that the wires labeled H1 and H3 were hooked up to the power switch with H2 hanging. On my other Idealarc H1 and H2 are hooked to the power switch and H3 was just hanging. ( I recently got 2 welders at an auction). I removed H3 and let it hang and hooked up H2 to the power switch and the welder is working perfectly. Do you know why H3 was hooked up? Do you know what H3 is used for? Thanks again.

Whoa, it was probably wired 120. There should be 3 wires in the cord, 2 the "hots to the switch and the ground going to the chassis of the machine. Are all 3 wires from the cord connected?

Not a 120 machine. H3 is for 460. It can be a common misconception that these machines are 3-phase because of the capability to run off 460. I got a great deal on one because the seller got it from a auto shop and when it wouldn't run on 230, he believed it was a 3 phase machine.

IdealArc Manual

[Sberry]

I realize its not a 120 machine