POWER-MASTER 500 - Victor Technologies

4.01 General
SECTION 4:
OPERATION
Read and understand the safety instructions at the beginning
of this manual prior to operating this machine.
WARNING:
Be sure to put on proper protective clothing and
eye safeguards (welding coat, apron, gloves, and
welding helmet, with proper lenses installed). See
Safety Instructions and Warnings chapter included
in this manual. Neglect of these precautions may
result in personal injury.
WARNING:
Make all connections to the power source including
electrode and work cables, as well as remote
control cables, with the power source turned off.
These connections could be electrically live with
the power switch ON.
The Operation chapter of this manual is intended as a
guideline to the operation of the Power-Master 500.
4.02 GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc
Welding)
1. Connect the work lead to the positive terminal
and the torch to the negative terminal of the power
source (normal connection for DCEN).
2. Provide suitable shielding gas connections and
controls to the torch. The power source does not
provide connections for the shielding gas.
3. Select the proper tungsten size and type for the
job.
4. If a foot pedal or torch control is being used, connect
to the 14 or 19 pin remote receptacle on the
rear of the power source.
5. Turn the control power switch ON, located on the
front panel of the power source. The digital display
on the power source should be activated.
6. Set the front panel mode switch to GTAW.
7. Preset the weld amperage using the front panel
AMPS/VOLTS control, by placing the meter
amps/volts switch in the amps position, and the
LOCAL/REMOTE switch in the LOCAL position.
8. If a foot pedal or torch amperage control is being
used, place the local/remote switch in the remote
position (after presetting the maximum desired
amperage). The digital meter will now display the
foot/torch control amperage. Until the foot pedal
is pressed, the meter will display the minimum
amperage.
9. If a remote control is not being used, it will be
necessary to turn the output contactor ON/OFF
switch to the ON position to energize the output
of the machine. Open circuit voltage will now be
present on the output terminals of the power
source.
10. Gently rest the torch cup on the workpiece.
11. Press the foot pedal or torch switch to energize
the output, if being used.
12. Rock the torch until the tungsten briefly touches
the workpiece. This will initiate the “LIFT-ARC”
feature. Lift or rock the tungsten back off of the
work to initiate the arc. During the time the tungsten
is touching the work, the power source will
automatically limit the weld current to around 20
amps. Once the arc is initiated, the weld amperage
will change to the preset value (or foot pedal
value). To minimize heating of the end of the tungsten,
it should be left in contact with the workpiece
only briefly.
13. To end the weld, release the foot pedal or turn off
torch switch if being used. Turn off shielding gas
supply.
4.03 SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc
Welding)
1. Connect the welding leads to the output terminals
of the power source. Normally the work lead
should connect to the negative lead and the electrode
holder to the positive terminal (DCEP or
reverse polarity).
2. If a remote control is being used, connect to the
14 or 19 pin remote receptacle on the rear of the
power source.
3. Turn the control power switch ON, located on the
front panel of the power source. The digital display
on the power source should be activated.
4. Set the front panel mode switch to SMAW.
MANUAL 430429-485 4-1 OPERATION