Lincoln Idealarc SP-250 welder (single voltage????)

[Regina]

I bought a couple of non working welders at auction and the SP-250 is one of them. I know nothing about the history than there was some kind of paper tag indicating that it was a 460V single phase only machine. I am trying to figure out if this was a special order machine, if it can be reconfigured to 220, or if it was a multi voltage machine that developed a problem on the 200v range and was therefore hacked up and reconfigured this way. The reconnect panel is bare. Used welders are scarce in my location and I am trying to find out if I can even test this out. I have downloaded the service manual but cant find anything on this code number as far as the mains transformer. The code field says SPEC 159.If I am stuck with 400v I will be parting it out and looking for another welder. I have extensive troubleshooting and fabrication resources. Conversely, if anyone is looking for parts or has a comparable transformer based machine for sale for a reasonable price locally to St Paul, Mn please let me know. I already know it is filthy, rusty and a piece of junk boat anchor already so please constructive information only please. I can't afford a new machine, and don't want a used one that is inverter based chineseium that I can't fix if it has a problem.




Tags: None

---

x

[MAC702]

Any reason to trust the paper tag? First thing I would probably do is hook it up to 240 V and see what happens.

[Regina]

I guess that could not hurt anything? I would not hesitate if there were not digital circuit boards in there that could get screwed up. I was hoping to sell them if I can't use the welder and they were still good. The gutted reconnect panel, the single set of wires coming from the transformer, the word SPEC (thinking it is "special")in the code field that I can't find any information on, the tag from the previous owner, and the heavy industrial environment it came from, where the majority of things are running at higher voltages, are all red flags to me. It will be a while until I can clear enough of a path to get it near enough a power outlet to find out.

[Hobart Expert]

That data plate appears to indicate it would be 208/230v input power only.

[Sberry]

This is an interesting thought and I can see the reasoning here because a guy wouldnt want to buy a working Chinese welder,,,, you know in case it cant be fixed.

[Regina]

There was a constructive information only request. I know, some people can't help themselves. I try not to feed to much to the trolls. Thank you to the previous posters. Your insight has been helpful. When I can get this welder out I will disconnect the Circuit boards to the extent possible, put 220 to it and take a look at the secondary control voltages coming off the transformer and that should tell me if it is working at all, if I have half or full voltages, and that should tell me whether it is altered to 440 or not. Does anyone have any idea what the SPEC 159 code is about? I guess I can try to call Lincoln on Monday and see if they can guide me to an exact manual.

[Sberry]

You the one brought up the logic its somehow better to have 2 broke junk old machines than 1 working 1,,, but good luck, hope you get one fixed.

[Sberry]

It would be great to get one going, when they work they are ok machines. Maybe a guy enjoys it, thats fine too. If a guy wants to weld this is a hard way to go, if he is after an endless source of frustration this is good. Even working used feeders are a challenge. I would be curious what they were worth at auction?

[Regina]

They worked out to be a little over 15 cents a pound, and since the hobart had a new gun with it. figured I could not go wrong with scraping them even if all I got was the gun out of the deal, and the wheels to make a cart out of. I have a working Mig welder, and a larger one in progress, but it would be nice to have one at a different location I commute to and not have to drag it around when I need it. I can't find a comparable working used welder for under $800 right now. I had a shot at what would have been an easier "fix er up er" 2 weeks ago but it was sold before I could drive over there. I really need a schematic and some input about the reason for the transformer failure on that hobart. The lincoln am going to put power to and see what happens. At least the transformer looks good on it.