Internal cleaning Miller welder

[justgurn]

Need some advice on cleaning the inside of my Thunderbolt 225V. Should I spray the xfmer down with contact cleaner or just blow it out good with the compressor?

 

[zkling]

I just blow mine out once a year with a compressor blow gun and the leaf blower. Try to make sure the air is as dry as possible and that you are blowing it OUT, not blowing **** into tiny crevices. Usually welders are around grinder so they pick up metal dust which is conductive and can lead to conductive paths in the welder.

There are some welder restorers and pro repair shops that will wash out a machine with water via a pressure washer. Have to make sure it dries out properly before powering up again obviously. I have never been brave enough to do this though.

I wouldn't worry about spraying contact cleaner on the inside. Maybe a little dielectric grease on the knife switch or other siding contacts, check wire connections and that would be about all. That is one of, if not the simplest welding machine out there, basically just a transformer a cooling fan and 2 switches. Some of the more modern ones are like a computer on the inside.

 

[41ratrod]

like others said just blow it out with low pressure air and check the wires.
I do welder maintenance and most of the time they just need cleaned out.
If I can't fix it I'll just call Stan he'll fix .He is the welder suppler service man.

 

[A_Pmech]

Just blow it out.

Zkling pretty well covered it. The primary purpose of cleaning the transformer is to prevent grinding dust from taking it's toll on the windings.

 

[justgurn]

Thanks I will blow it good.
Jim

 

[RCPro87]

I did the exact thing as all of the above. My welder was very very dirty. I disconnected every terminal and cleaned with a wire brush and reassembled. I sprayed out with brake cleaner and contact cleaner with a light scrub and nylon brush. I agree that i don't have the balls to clean out with water especially with pressure behind it!

 

[sberry]

First how bad is it??? Mine has been cleaned once in 30 yrs, some never need it, unless there is a problem blow it out and forget it.

 

[bad_idea]

Thanks I will blow it good.
Jim

Umm...

 

[justgurn]

Umm...

Funny how leaving one word out changes the whole meaning.

To my surprise it cleaned up good with compressed air.

 

[theknurl]

Lincoln 300/300 here, basically soaked in GE Glyptal sealing paint......no issues in 38 years

 

[7echo]

We remove all the covers then use a blow gun. It helps to use the long schnozzle to get in amongst the tight spots and keep you away from the dust a little. We always wear a mask or respirator.