MK Products ELECTRIC ARC WELDING EQUIPMENT Manual page 5

This Weld Control Selector Guide is designed to aid in selection and installation of various weld controls and
Cobramatic feeders. The most popular power supplies from various manufacturers are covered, however,
many others are not. The power supplies not covered in this guide can also be hooked up to Cobramatic
feeders by modifying the connections. Spool-guns may also be hooked up by using a WC-1 control box.
The exception to this is "synergic" type of power supplies. There are two types of "synergic" units. If the
controls for the power supply are on the power supply, then a Cobramatic II feeder may be adaptable. If
the controls for the power supply are incorporated into that manufacturers wire feeder, then it becomes
difficult to hook up a different type of feeder.
At the time of its printing the information in this guide was accurate according to the information provided
by the various manufacturers. Due to model variations, modifications and other unknowns, this information
may not be accurate in all cases. Refer to the power supply owner's manual if there are any questions
or doubts about proper hook-up. Upon using this guide the user accepts full responsibility of the
consequences that may occur during hook-up. All work should only be attempted by a qualified service
technician with the proper tools and knowledge of electronics.
The weld control provides the electronics needed to operate the spool gun, as well as, provide the contactor
signal to activate the power supply. In a GMAW (MIG) system the wire is not electrically hot until the weldor
activates the trigger. The weld control then sends the contactor signal to energize the power supply.
There are two types of contactor signals that various power supply manufacturers use. The first is a "Closing
Contact" signal. With this type of signal the weld control simply touches the two contactor leads together
(providing continuity to the power supply). The second type of signal is the "115VAC" signal. With this
type of signal the weld control sends 115 volts AC to the power supply. If you were to touch the contactor
leads in this position, you would get a SHOCK when the trigger is activated. All GTAW (TIG) machines use
a closing contact signal because it would be unsafe to put a 115VAC contactor signal in a foot control.
The WC-1 can be used on all power supplies, although it may not be the most economical or most feasible
approach. Where possible, a dedicated weld control has been developed to simplify installation and lower
cost. These controls interface to a particular power supply or a group of power supplies from a certain
manufacturer.
1. Using the charts on pages 1 thru 5, locate the power supply you wish to connect to.
2. The next column over will indicate which control is needed for the Prince XL Spool-gun. Sometimes, an
optional control is available. This will be indicated in the third column. The fourth column will list any
special notes. note: for Cobramatic feeders a weld control is not needed, however, if a contactor
box is listed it should be used.
3. Check the notes column for important information.
4. Check the hook-up instructions column for the section, then go to that section.
5. The Posa Start on the Cobramatic feeders can be used with all CV/CC power supplies by simply
connecting the single black lead extending from the back of the unit to work ground (-).
6. Reference the appendix for connection information to many utility type welders.
aBOUt tHiS GUidE
When working with voltages present in this product and
CAUTION :
others, always observe warning and caution signs. Service
must only be performed by qualified service personnel.
diSCLaiMER
WHy dO i nEEd a WELd COntROL?
WHiCH WELd COntROL?
HOW tO USE tHiS GUidE
Weld Control Selector Guide - Page iv