Constant Current (Stick) Welding; Downhill Pipe (Stick) Welding - Lincoln Electric VANTAGE 400 Operator's Manual

VANTAGE 400
NOTE: If the unit fails to start turn Run/Stop switch to off and
repeat step 3 through step 7 after waiting 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
ning because this can damage the ring gear and/or the
starter motor.
• IF the Engine Protection or Battery Charging
"not" turn off shortly after starting the
the engine immediately and determine the cause.
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NOTE: When starting for the first time, or after and 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 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 minutes 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.
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 within the rat-
ing of the machine. For information on electrodes and their prop-
er application see (www.lincolnelectric.com) or the appropriate
Lincoln publication.
The VANTAGE 400 can be used with a broad range of DC stick elec-
trodes. The MODE switch provides two stick welding settings as fol-
lows:
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 CONTROL dial adjusts the full output range
for stick welding.
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
prevents sticking of the electrode to the plate while welding. This can
also increase spatter. It is recommended that the ARC CONTROL be
CAUTION
is run-
Lights do
engine shut off
set to the minimum number without 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
connection 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 con-
nected as close as practical to where the welding will be per-
formed.
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 electrode after
the welding arc has been broken, particularly iron powder
and low hydrogen electrodes. This cone will need to be bro-
ken 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 operator would like to control
the current level by changing the arc length.
The OUTPUT CONTROL dial adjusts the full output range for pipe
welding.
The ARC CONTROL dial sets the short circuit current (arc-force)
during stick welding to adjust for a soft or more forceful digging
arc (crisp). Increasing the number from -10(soft) to +10(crisp)
increases the short circuit current which results in a more force-
ful digging arc.
Typically a forceful digging arc is preferred for root and hot pass-
es. A softer arc is preferred for fill and cap passes where weld
puddle control and deposition ("stacking" of iron) are key to fast
B-5
OPERATION