Hypertherm 45 HELP!!! (Problem Solved)

[pjsr]

Help!!! My hypertherm 45 pressure lights are all over the place after it starts, then the torch goes out. I have tried changing consumables and still have the problem. I set the pressure to the middle as usual and then when the cutting starts, the pressure lights go all over and then the torch goes out. The unit is about a year old.

[abmagrum]

do you have a pressure gauge at the back of youre hypertherm?

you want at least 90 psi if its under 80 it will kick the lights on and wont run right or at all check youre pressure then youre filters first

[jimcolt]

Install a pressure gauge at the inlet of the machine, a 150 psi gauge available at any place that sells plumbing supplies will work.

1. Check the pressure on the gauge. Now turn on the air flow at the Powermax45 by turning the amperage knob fully counter clockwise (this is the proper procedure for setting cut pressure ), look at the rear panel gauge again, with air flowing. If it drops below 85 psi, (the inlet pressure must always be in the 85 to 125 psi range) then the internal pressure switch is at the safety shutdown pressure, and the system will not allow an arc. A large pressure drop at the rear panel gauge indicates that you have a restriction in your plumbing system somewhere between the compressor and the plasma.
Could be: Hose diameter too small, hose length too long, too many fittings, filters or air separators plugged or saturated with moisture.

2. If the rear panel gauge stays above 85 psi (prefereably around 100 to 105) and you are still having issues setting the front panel cut pressure LED's, there could be a restriction on the internal plumbing of the Powermax45. Most likely this would be a plugged filter (directions to check and replace are in your operators manual) or a piece of debris lodged in the air solenoid or air regulator assembly.

99 out of 100 times the symptoms you describe are asociated with your primary plumbing between the compressor and the plasma. A pressure gauge is the best tool with any plasma system for toubleshooting.

Jim Colt Hypertherm

Help!!! My hypertherm 45 pressure lights are all over the place after it starts, then the torch goes out. I have tried changing consumables and still have the problem. I set the pressure to the middle as usual and then when the cutting starts, the pressure lights go all over and then the torch goes out. The unit is about a year old.

[pjsr]

Thanks Jim Colt! I installed a guage at the back as you suggested and in doing so discovered that I did have a problem with my Campbell Hausfield regulator/separator. The filter was clogged causing the pressure to be very low after the torch started. Once I cleaned it up and adjusted the gauges the problem was solved. I do think that I need to invest in a better quality filter in the near future. Can anyone recommend a good one? Thanks

[jimcolt]

All good filters clog....that is how they work! Often it is exacerbated by a compressor that does not get drained often enough....this puts rusty water in your lines, which quickly clogs plumbing components.

The best thing I ever did in my shop was to install an auto drain on my compressor. The one I used, and it has been working for 4 or 5 years now, was $9.95 at Harbor Freight.

Glad you got it sorted out!

Jim Colt

Thanks Jim Colt! I installed a guage at the back as you suggested and in doing so discovered that I did have a problem with my Campbell Hausfield regulator/separator. The filter was clogged causing the pressure to be very low after the torch started. Once I cleaned it up and adjusted the gauges the problem was solved. I do think that I need to invest in a better quality filter in the near future. Can anyone recommend a good one? Thanks

[abmagrum]

Hmmm