Hobart 187

[badkins]

Purchased a Hobart187 connected to 30A double pole breaker. Problem, when I start to weld, I get an initial "spark" but nothing after that. The circuit breaker has not tripped and the fan on the unit is running but no further spark. Do I need to run this unit off of a 50 A breaker or is something in the wiring??

[cope]

30 Amp breaker is fine. Check your ground connection, and be sure polarity is correct. From the factory, the machine is set up for flux core; you neeed to reevrse the lead for gas. Also check the pressure at the feed roller and on the spool. Do you get good wire feed?

[crawler]

Purchased a Hobart187 connected to 30A double pole breaker. Problem, when I start to weld, I get an initial "spark" but nothing after that. The circuit breaker has not tripped and the fan on the unit is running but no further spark. Do I need to run this unit off of a 50 A breaker or is something in the wiring??

Is the work clamp making good contact with the steel? Do you have proper wire feed tension on the drive roll? Are you sure you're getting 230v?

[badkins]

Hobsrt 187

Thanks crawler and cope, The polarity is correct (for DCEN)and wire appears to feed easily. I "think" I'm getting 230, hopefully it's the ground although I moved it to multiple areas w/same results. Nice to get reply from experts without sarcasm and insults like "Other" forums. I'm new at this and trying to learn. Appreciate the advice.

[cope]

Be sure that the ground clamp is tight on the end of the cable also. You should be able to aim the gun at a 2x4 at a 45° angle and see the wire feed out to the board and then curl up.

Another thought, disconnect the power cord. Take the cover off the machine and make certain that all connections are tight. Some times things come loose in shipment.

[Zrexxer]

Check this thread for a similar problem, in which a Hobart Expert offers several possible causes:

http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtal...ad.php?t=31892

Personally, I'd skip straight to calling Hobart and talk with their tech guys.

[fordwannabe]

Just remember rust and or paint can make it feel like yo have a good ground and you don't. Ask me how I know? Good luck Tom

[badkins]

hobart 187

You all are great!! will check all suggestions when I get home today and let you know. GREAT FORUM

[badkins]

hobart 187

You all are great!! will check all suggestions when I get home today and let you know. GREAT FORUM

[JalopyBldr]

Make sure metal where you're trying to weld and where your ground clap is placed is CLEAN. No rust - bright, shiney metal.

[Hobart Expert Darrell]

Check this thread for a similar problem, in which a Hobart Expert offers several possible causes:

http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtal...ad.php?t=31892

Personally, I'd skip straight to calling Hobart and talk with their tech guys.

Here's the toll-free phone number for technical support:

800-332-3281

[Hobart Expert Keith]

When you get the initial spark, does the wire continue to feed against the plate or does the wire feed stop also?

Keith

[Jake_SS]

Check your gun both ends, maybe the cable has been pulled out from one end,would normally be the plug end, check that the contactor is closing, if it is then you would be getting gas flow, if not no gas and no arc, or it may not be closing properly, also try moving the voltage selection switch to each position a few times then try welding again on each position, problem could be on the input side of switch if it hasnt been used for a while
Cheers

[Hobart Expert Darrell]

There one more question that I'd like to ask. I know it's pretty simplistic, but did you install the tip in the end of the gun.

I ask because we do get this type of question and find that there's no contact tip in the end of the gun. The contact tip creates the electrical contact with the welding wire, making it electrically hot.

Darrell