Setting Up The Weld - Chicago Electric 68888 Owner's Manual & Safety Instructions

Operating Instructions
TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY AND PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE:
Wear protective gear during use; an ANSI-approved welding mask shade 10, ear protection, welding
gloves and apron, NIOSH-approved respirator, and fire resistant work clothes without pockets.
Light from the arc can cause permanent damage to the eyes and skin. Do not breathe arc fumes.
Duty Cycle (Duration of Use)
30% DUTY CYCLE
AT MIN SETTING
3 minutes welding
followed by
at least 7 minutes of rest
This unit has two duty cycles, one at the MIN setting and
one at the MAX setting on the Current Output Switch.
Avoid damage to the
Welder by not welding for
more than the prescribed
duty cycle time. The duty
cycle defines the number of
minutes, within a 10 minute
period, during which a
given welder can produce a particular welding current
without overheating. For example, this Welder, when set
at the MAX setting, has a 20% duty cycle and must be
allowed to rest for at least 8 minutes after every
2 minutes of continuous welding. Failure to carefully
observe duty cycle limitations can easily over-stress a
welder's power generation system contributing to
premature welder failure.

Setting up the Weld

1. Make practice welds on pieces of scrap the same
thickness as your intended workpiece to practice
technique before welding anything of value.
Clean the weld surfaces thoroughly with a wire brush
or angle grinder; there must be no rust, paint, oil, or
other materials on the weld surfaces, only bare metal.
workpieces
Clean surfaces
to bare metal.
Chamfer thick workpieces.
Page 8
20% DUTY CYCLE
AT MAX SETTING
2 minutes welding
followed by
at least 8 minutes of rest
Current Output
Switch
clamps
For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797.
Thermal Overload Protection - This Welder has an
internal thermal protection system to help prevent this
sort of over-stress. When the unit
overheats, it automatically shuts down
and the Overload Light turns on. The
Welder automatically returns to
service after cooling off. Rest the
Electrode Holder on an electrically
non-conductive, heat-proof surface,
such as a concrete slab, well clear of
the ground clamp while allowing the
welder to cool with the Power Switch on, so that the
internal fan will help cool the Welder. When the Welder
can be used again, use shorter welding periods and
longer rest periods to prevent needless wear.
2. Use clamps (not included) to hold the workpieces
in position so that you can concentrate on proper
welding technique. The distance (if any) between the
two workpieces must be controlled properly to allow
the weld to hold both sides securely while allowing
the weld to penetrate fully into the joint. The edges
of thicker workpieces may need to be chamfered
(or beveled) to allow proper weld penetration.
Overload Light
Item 68888