Syncrowave 250 - "Arc control"

[Timinmb]

What do you set Arc control at when welding with smaw (stick)? I'm having some challenges with my new to me Syncrowave 250 and I see the manual says to set it to zero for tig or off. But what is a reasonable setting for stick welding? I'm running into a weird effect with 7018 electrode positive. So I tried 6011 and it does a similar thing. The arc starts and burns out, then starts and burns out, over and over again repeating the same cycle. What gives?

[Zrexxer]

The arc starts and burns out, then starts and burns out, over and over again repeating the same cycle. What gives?

Does the machine have pulse? Is it turned off?

[Timinmb]

I see from the manual its also called "Dig". Apparently it increase amperage as you close the arc gap. That might be what's producing the unexpected effect. I'll have to play around with this setting. Its like I touch the electrode to the work and it gets a burst of energy, burns it back, amperage drops off and the arc extinguised, and I repeat this cycle over and over again. I'd better make sure I try it at zero as that may better approximate my other stick welder which I have no problem with (as it has no settings other than amperage ).

[lars66]

Try setting it on 3 and adjust from there.

[Brianstick]

The arc control switch gives you an extra boost of amperage at the start of a bead. It helps to prevent electrode sticking when welding on dirty or rusty metal in stick mode. You can also stick weld with the switch in the "off" position with no boost.