Lincoln Electric SP-255 manual OPERATIONB-11, To Start the Welder, Feeding Electrode

OPERATIONB-11

WARNING

Check to be sure the retaining spring has fully returned to the locking position and has securely locked the Readi-Reel cage in place. Retaining spring must rest on the cage not the welding elec- trode.

To remove Readi-Reel from Adapter, depress retain- ing spring tab with thumb while pulling the Readi-Reel cage from the molded adapter with both hands. It is not necessary to remove adapter from spindle.

MOUNTING OF 10 TO 44 LBS. SPOOLS

To mount 10 to 44 lb. spools (8" and 12" diame- ter): (For 8" spools a K468 adapter must be used.)

1.Remove the locking collar and the Readi-Reel adapter (if installed) from the 2" dia. spindle.

2.If using an 8" spool, place the K468 adapter on the spindle first. The hole in the adapter arm is to engage the pin on the spindle.

3.Place the spool on the spindle making certain the brake driving pin enters one of the holes in the back side of the spool. Be certain the wire comes off the reel in a clockwise direction when dereeled from the top of the coil.

4.Replace and tighten the locking collar for several seconds.

TO START THE WELDER

Turn the “Power” switch to “ON” This lights the red LED back lighting of the LCD display and a readable screen should be visible on the display. With the desired weld mode selected, operate the gun trigger for welder output and to energize the wire feed motor.

FEEDING ELECTRODE

WARNING

When inching, the electrode and drive mechanism are always “hot” to work and ground and remain “hot” several seconds after the gun trigger is released.

NOTE: Check that drive rolls and gun parts are proper

for the wire size and type being used. (Refer to Accessories section.)

1.Turn the Readi-Reel or spool until the free end of the electrode is accessible.

2.While securely holding the electrode, cut off the bent end and straighten the first six inches (152 mm). Cut off the first inch (25 mm). (If the electrode is not properly straightened, it may not feed or may not go into the outgoing guide tube causing a “birdnest”)

3.Push the wire through the guide tubes and close the idle roll assembly. For idle roll pressure set- tings, see Idle Roll Pressure Setting Section below.

4.Turn “OFF” weld timers by pressing TIMERS OFF key. Press the gun trigger and push the electrode into the drive roll. If the electrode fails to thread itself into the outgoing guide tube of the wire drive, open the quick release idle roll arm, thread the electrode manually, and reclose the arm.

5.Inch the electrode through the gun.

NOTE: If using the low speed starting feature of the SP-255, the wire will feed at low speed for 2 seconds while inching, then come up to the set speed.

6.Check that the welding process is set for the wire type, diameter, and gas per instructions on name- plate.

IDLE ROLL PRESSURE SETTING

The idle roll pressure thumbscrew is set at the factory backed out 2-1/2 turns from full pressure. This is an approximate setting. The optimum idle roll pressure varies with type of wire, wire diameter, surface condi- tion, lubrication, and hardness. As a general rule, hard wires may require greater pressure, and soft, or alu- minum wire, may require less pressure than the facto- ry setting. The optimum idle roll setting can be deter- mined as follows:

1.Press end of gun against a solid object that is elec- trically isolated from the welder output and press the gun trigger for several seconds.

2.If the wire “birdnests,” jams or breaks at the drive roll, the idle roll pressure is too great. Back the thumbscrew out 1/2 turn, run new wire through gun, and repeat above steps.

IDEALARC SP-255