Lincoln Electric SVM123-A ARC Striking with Idealarc DC-1000 and the NA-3 Start Board

B-7 OPERATION B-7

Return to Section TOC

Return to Section TOC

Return to Section TOC

Return to Section TOC

Return to Master TOC

Return to Master TOC

Return to Master TOC

Return to Master TOC

GOOD ARC STRIKING GUIDELINES FOR THE NA-3 WITH THE IDEALARC DC-1000 IN THE CV INNERSHIELD®, CV SUBMERGED ARC OR VV (CC) WELDING MODES.

Following are some basic arc striking techniques that apply to all wire feed processes. Using these proce- dures should provide trouble-free starting. These pro- cedures apply to single, solid wires and Innershield® wires.

1.Cut the electrode to a sharp point.

2.Set the NA-3 Open Circuit Voltage Control to the same dial setting as the Arc Voltage Control. If this is a new welding procedure, a good starting point is to set the Open Circuit Voltage Control to #6.

NOTE: The open circuit voltage of the IDEALARC DC-1000 varies from approximately 25 volts to 75 volts in the CV Innershield or CV Submerged Arc modes. The open circuit voltage is constant in the VV (CC) mode.

3.Run a test weld. Set proper current, voltage, and travel speed.

a.For the best starting performance, the NA-3 Open Circuit Voltage Control and Voltage Control setting should be the same. Set the Inch Speed Control for the slowest inch speed possible.

b.To adjust the Open Circuit Voltage Control to get the best starting performance, make repeated starts observing the NA-3 volt- meter.

When the voltmeter pointer swings smoothly up to the desired arc voltage, without undershooting or over- shooting the desired arc voltage, the Open Circuit Voltage Control is set properly.

If the voltmeter pointer overshoots the desired voltage and then returns back to the desired voltage, the Open Circuit Voltage Control is set too high. This can result in a bad start where the wire tends to “Blast off.”

If the voltmeter pointer hesitates before coming up to the desired voltage, the Open Circuit Voltage Control is set too low. This can cause the electrode to stub.

4.Start and make the weld.

a.Cold starts. For cold starts, be sure the work piece is clean and the electrode makes positive contact with the work piece.

b.Hot “On the Fly” starts. For hot starts, trav- el should begin before the wire contacts the work piece.

ARC STRIKING WITH IDEALARC DC-1000 AND THE NA-3 START BOARD

When electrical strikeouts exceed 1 3/4” (44.4 mm) an NA-3 Start Board may be required to improve arc striking. When the NA-3 Start Board is used to improve arc striking, use the following procedures:

1.Set start time at 0.

2.Set NA-3 start current and start voltage at mid range.

3.Set the NA-3 output current and voltage to the proper settings for the welding procedure to be used.

4.Turn the Start Board Timer to maximum.

5.Set Start Board current and voltage control.

a.Set the Start Board current control to 1- 1/2 dial numbers below that set on the NA-3 current control.

b.Set the Start Board voltage control equal with the NA-3 voltage control setting

NOTE: These Start Board current and voltage set- tings result in a start-up current that is lower than the NA-3 current setting and approximately equal with the NA-3 voltage setting for the desired weld- ing procedure.

6.Establish the correct arc striking procedure with the NA-3 Start Board timer set at maximum.

a.For the best starting performance, the NA-3 Open Circuit Voltage Control and Voltage Control setting should be the same. Set the Inch Speed Control for the slowest inch speed possible.

b.To adjust the Open Circuit Voltage Control to get the best starting performance, make repeated starts observing the NA-3 volt- meter.

When the voltmeter pointer swings smoothly up to the desired arc voltage, without undershooting or over- shooting the desired arc voltage, the Open Circuit Voltage Control is set properly.

If the voltmeter pointer overshoots the desired voltage and then returns back to the desired voltage, the Open Circuit Voltage Control is set too high. This can result in a bad start where the wire tends to “Blast off.”

If the voltmeter pointer hesitates before coming up to the desired voltage, the Open Circuit Voltage Control is set too low. This can cause the electrode to stub.

IDEALARC DC-1000