Theory of operation, Caution – Lincoln Electric VANTAGE 400 User Manual
Page 22
THEORY OF OPERATION
B-6
B-6
VANTAGE® 400
WELDER OPERATION
DUTY CYCLE
Duty Cycle is the percentage of time the load is being
applied in a 10 minute period. For example a 60% duty
cycle, represents 6 minutes of load and 4 minutes of no
load in a 10 minute period.
ELECTRODE INFORMATION
For any electrode the procedures should be kept with-
in the rating of the machine. For information on elec-
trodes and their proper application see (www.lincoln-
electric.com) or the appropriate Lincoln publication.
The VANTAGE® 400 can be used with a broad range of
DC stick electrodes. The MODE switch provides two stick
welding settings as follows:
CONSTANT CURRENT (CC-STICK) WELDING
The CC-STICK position of the MODE switch is designed
for horizontal and vertical-up welding with all types of
electrodes, especially low hydrogen. The OUTPUT CON-
TROL dial adjusts the full output range for stick welding.
NOTE: If the unit fails to start turn Run/Stop switch to
off and repeat step 3 through step 7 after wait-
ing 30 seconds.
• Do not allow the starter motor to run continuously
for more than 20 seconds.
• Do not push the START button while the engine
is running because this can damage the ring gear
and/or the starter motor.
• IF the Engine Protection or Battery Charging
Lights do “not” turn off shortly after starting the
engine shut off the engine immediately and deter-
mine the cause.
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NOTE: When starting for the first time, or after an
extended period of time of not operating, it will take
longer than normal to start because the fuel pump has
to fill the fuel system. For best results, bleed the fuel
system as indicated in the Maintenance Section of this
manual.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Remove all welding and auxiliary power loads and
allow the engine to run at low idle speed for a few min-
utes to cool the engine.
STOP the engine by placing the RUN-STOP switch in
the STOP position.
NOTE: A fuel shut off valve is located on the fuel pre-
filter.
CAUTION
The ARC CONTROL dial sets the short circuit current
(arc-force) during stick welding to adjust for a soft or
crisp arc. Increasing the number from -10(soft) to
+10(crisp) increases the short circuit current and pre-
vents sticking of the electrode to the plate while welding.
This can also increase spatter. It is recommended that
the ARC CONTROL be set to the minimum number with-
out electrode sticking. Start with the dial set at 0.
NOTE: Due to the low OCV with the VRD on, a very
slight delay during striking of the electrodes may
occur. Due to the requirement of the resistance in
the circuit to be low for a VRD to operate, a good
metal-to-metal contact must be made between the
metal core of the electrode and the job. A poor con-
nection anywhere in the welding output circuit may
limit the operation of the VRD. This includes a good
connection of the work clamp to the job. The work
clamp should be connected as close as practical to
where the welding will be performed.
A. For New Electrodes
E6010 - Touch, Lift to Start the Arc
E7018, E7024 - Touch, Rock Back and Forth in
Joint, Lift .
Once the arc is started, normal welding technique
for the application is then used.
B. For Re-Striking Electrodes
Some electrodes form a cone at the end of the elec-
trode after the welding arc has been broken, partic-
ularly iron powder and low hydrogen electrodes.
This cone will need to be broken off in order to have
the metal core of the electrode make contact.
E6010 - Push, Twist in Joint, Lift
E7018, E7024 - Push, Rock Back and Forth in
Joint, Lift.
Once the arc is started, normal welding technique
for the application is then used.
For other electrodes the above techniques should
be tried first and varied as needed to suit operator
preference. The goal for successful starting is good
metal to metal contact.
For indicator light operation, see Table B.1.
DOWNHILL PIPE Welding
This slope controlled setting is intended for "out-of-
position" and "down hill" pipe welding where the oper-
ator would like to control the current level by changing
the arc length.