Cannot get my NIB Miller Spectrum 2050 to do anything

[Drift_G35]

I just purchased a NIB Spectrum 2050. I am having problems getting it to do anything. I can get the Power and Ready lights to light up, and can force the error lights with pressure and cup. But when I try to do anything else it just doesnt arc. Its odd because there is no hum, fan or anything else that would show the machine was on. Any ideas? I will admin that I am a total noob to this so i'm hoping i'm just doing something stupid. Here are some pictures.

 

[Cope]

It's new. Contact the seller and Miller.

 

[nine4gmc]

IDK but the sticker says 70 psi and your gauge says 120 psi, is there a regulator or do you need to use the one on the compressor?

 

[logikal]

That is what the knob next to the gauge is for, controlling the pressure. turn it down to 70, more then likely why you have errors. Dumb question, but are you sure you have your GND and torch setup correctly?

 

[Drift_G35]

Yeah I've set it to 70. The book says between 90-150


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[Drift_G35]

Thats what the knob next to the gauge is for, controlling the pressure. Dumb question, but are you sure you have your GND and torch setup correctly?

I think so. Just like a welder right? I know the torch is correct.


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[logikal]

it requires 90 - 150 pressure to the regulator on the tool. then you have to step down the pressure output for the torch.

 

[Drift_G35]

It's dead nuts 70 psi right now and nothing. I'd contact the seller but it was craigslist and he just got deployed. But I literally took the tape off the box. The cords were still zip tied.


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[lilscorpion]

Since its new to you - do you have all of the consumables in the torch? It will not fire if you're missing even one. There are maybe three we can't see in the pics that are all inside...

 

[RedneckWelder]

Check consumables in the Torch.

Call miller. They have good CS. See if they can walk you through troubleshooting if all else fails.

 

[Drift_G35]

Here is a picture of the consumables apart. On a side note am I supposed to have air pressure when I squeeze the trigger? Because I don't.



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[lilscorpion]

Those should be the correct parts.

I've not had a miller plasma before. What's the pilot switch modes? Try both? I'm guessing...

I'd give Miller a call. They have great support. They may walk you through s few steps like checking the ground wire connection inside the box but there's also a chance there's a shipping "thing" you need to undo before you use it...do you have the quick start manual?

 

[IOWNJUNK]

Plugged directly to an outlet, not an extension cord? Stupid question, but I did it with my mig when I first bought it, everything came on but nothing worked when I pulled the trigger.

 

[Drift_G35]

Yeah. I moved it so I didn't have to use an extension.


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[lilscorpion]

Your lifting up the yellow safety trigger before pressing the trigger?

Does the pilot ever fire or nothing nothing with no warning lights?

 

[Drift_G35]

Yeah lifting the yellow safety. Pilot never fires and no warning lights.


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[Bigplum]

No sneaky reset button wanting to be fiddled about with ?
Maybe a transit / packing bung on the air inlet side ?

 

[zkling]

Pull the torch, check for continuity in the switch. Pull the cover and visually inspect all connections. If it somehow got bounced around alot over the years something may have got loose. What is the year on the machine (serial number)?

 

[Drift_G35]

No sneaky reset button wanting to be fiddled about with ?
Maybe a transit / packing bung on the air inlet side ?

It had a plug on the back that I took off. I'll look more closely at the air system on the inside and take some pictures.


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[Drift_G35]

I don't know how to test this but I don't think I'm getting air out of this solenoid.


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[Drift_G35]

Here are some pictures of the interior.



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[zkling]

I don't know how to test this but I don't think I'm getting air out of this solenoid.


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That is why I was kinda thinking you might have an issue with the trigger switch. Did you try checking cont on the switch? The fact that the solenoid isn't firing and you have no arc really makes me think it is something in the trigger cirucit. Especially since you aren't having any error lights pop up.

 

[Drift_G35]

That is why I was kinda thinking you might have an issue with the trigger switch. Did you try checking cont on the switch? The fact that the solenoid isn't firing and you have no arc really makes me think it is something in the trigger cirucit. Especially since you aren't having any error lights pop up.

Being an electrical noob. How would I do that? I'm great at following instructions.


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[zkling]

Being an electrical noob. How would I do that? I'm great at following instructions.


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I'm not super familiar with those, but pull the torch off. There should be a number of pins. You will have to read the pinout on the schematic. Page 27/32 in the link provided. Set your meter to cont buzzer or ohms and start going through the pins on the torch while actuating the trigger. If the trigger is working you will get a continous circut between two of the pins, broken by the trigger.

http://www.millerwelds.com/om/o2220h.pdf

 

[lilscorpion]

Look at the pins themselves on the plug and make sure it's seated all the way. When I switch between hand and machine torches I sometimes don't get mine seated (but when that happens I get an error light though).

You could take it to a service center without a receipt as long as the mfg date is inside the warranty period (I think). My welding supply store used to be a service center. If they couldn't tell you while you're standing there they may be able to do so for a small amount.

 

[Drift_G35]

It looks like 1,4, and 5 are beeping at me no matter what the trigger position is. I had one lead on 1 (pilot) at all times and the other lead alternating between 4 and 5 (both electrodes). The other pins seem to be functioning normally.


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[Drift_G35]

So, let me reiterate the fact that I am far from "understanding" electricity. After talking to my uncle who is a foreman for building big buildings, he mentioned i might have the plug wired wrong. Sure enough, I have all 4 wires, wired. Could this be my issue?

 

[zkling]

So, let me reiterate the fact that I am far from "understanding" electricity. After talking to my uncle who is a foreman for building big buildings, he mentioned i might have the plug wired wrong. Sure enough, I have all 4 wires, wired. Could this be my issue?

Possibly, did you read the manual when you wired the machine up? What does the 4th wire go to? It it a dryer plug that has a 110v tap? For welders on single phase you only need two hots across the 220 and a ground. Read page 18/32 in the manual I linked above. For 220v single phase you only use the brown, black and green wires, the blue is only used for 3ph power input.

It sounds as if your switch isn't working. 6 and 3 are for the switch and should control cont between them (normally open). 8 and 2 are the cup switch and should be cont (normally closed).

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Is it possible to take it down to your local Miller Supply shop and have em look it over?
Chances are virtually 100% you walk out of there with your plasma working as it should one way or another.

 

[Drift_G35]

This will be the last thing I try before I take it to a Miller repair shot to take a look at it. The last question I have is you mentioned brown and blue wires. I have Black, Red, Green, and White. The manual doesnt say anything about Red or Green.

 

[ttpete]

This will be the last thing I try before I take it to a Miller repair shot to take a look at it. The last question I have is you mentioned brown and blue wires. I have Black, Red, Green, and White. The manual doesnt say anything about Red or Green.

Black and red are 240, white is neutral, and green is outlet ground.

 

[zkling]

Black and white should go to the power lines, green is the ground. Tape off red. I assume you have this on a 6-50P (3 prong) plug?

 

[Drift_G35]

Black and white should go to the power lines, green is the ground. Tape off red. I assume you have this on a 6-50P (3 prong) plug?

I do not, I have this. Green on top, red and black on sides and white on bottom.

and

 

[ttpete]

Black and white should go to the power lines, green is the ground. Tape off red. I assume you have this on a 6-50P (3 prong) plug?

Not on 240v.

 

[zkling]

I do not, I have this. Green on top, red and black on sides and white on bottom.

white and black go to the side terminals. Green goes to the top, non blade. Bottom is unused, pull that pin in the plug. To double check put a meter set on AC volts in the side blade terminals, you should get 230, 240v somewhere in that range depending on what your area is tapped at. Between the side and the bottom you should get half of the 230, somehwere in the 115-120v range.

Not on 240v.

In this case, it does. Machine wiring and welding euiptment is a bit different than dryer and household appliances. This can be further validated by the L1 and L2 inputs on the plasma input terminal board are white and black. The red is for 3ph pick up.

 

[Drift_G35]

white and black go to the side terminals. Green goes to the top, non blade. Bottom is unused, pull that pin in the plug. To double check put a meter set on AC volts in the side blade terminals, you should get 230, 240v somewhere in that range depending on what your area is tapped at.



In this case, it does. Machine wiring and welding euiptment is a bit different than dryer and household appliances. This can be further validated by the L1 and L2 inputs on the plasma input terminal board are white and black. The red is for 3ph pick up.

Awesome. My neighbor is an electrician, i will probably have him come over and double check for me.

 

[Drift_G35]

Definitely had the plug wired up wrong. That got it going. Seems to be working great now. Thanks guys!

 

[nine4gmc]

Glad that worked out for you, now show us some cool cut pieces.

 

[CNGsaves]

Know this is old thread . . . . BUT . .
. . . .
. . . . OP . . . you still using/satisfied with the Miller Spectrum 2050 plasma cutter ??

What wire and breaker did you use to provide juice ??

Really getting over 1/2" cuts . . . even up to 7/8" ??

Pilot arc feature work like it should ??

Consumables last a long time ??