red fault light

[Joey]

I have a hypertherm 1250. This machine has seen a lot of abuse over the last five years. I have never had any problems until recently. The red fault light is coming on when the machine torch tries to light. After a few seconds the light goes off and then you can try to start cutting again. Sometimes this goes for several cycles before you can actually start cutting. This doesn't seem to be happening with the hand torch. I think this points to the torch more than the machine. When the fault light gets to doing this, sometimes changing the consumables helps. If anybody has any advice as to how to stop this, I would appreciate their advice. Thanks in advance. Joey

[jimcolt]

The fault light (you can read about it in the Operators manual) indicates that the consumables are either incorrect....are installed improperly....or that the internal "parts in place" sensor switch may be out of adjustment or damaged.

- If you are using non-Hypertherm brand consumables...this can happen as these consumables are often out of tolerance.
- Make sure the part numbers (laser etched on each consumable) are proper according to the instructions and illustrations listed in the operators manual.
- Sometimes the retaining cap can get worn to the point where it will not activate the switch...replace the retaining cap.

You can also call Hypertherm tech service...they are free and are there to help in situations like this.


Jim Colt Hypertherm

[Joey]

Thank you Jim for the advice. I think I might have to call tech on this. I never tried non-hypertherm consumables until this problem started to get really annoying. The other brand didn't help and might have made things worse. I tried a new retaining cap and that didn't help either. Maybe it could be time to upgrade to that new torch that came out. I can't even imagine how many miles of cutting this machine torch has given me.

[cutterguy]

Joey did you get your problem figured out? Does anyone else have trouble with this?
My Duramax torch did this several times a day. I use a Hypertherm 1250 with a Duramax T85M on a water table. Is it possible that water gets back up into the torch head and gums some parts up? I had this trouble about 6 months ago with the original torch on a PCam system. Then it was a 400$ board inside the machine that HT replaced on warrenty. I use only OEM consumables.

Thanks for your help