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Discussion
Foam cutter Ammeter problem...
Hello community!
Just finished my foam cutter power supply! It cuts clean, the wire gets hot enough to cut trough blue foam... The light dimmer is always full power, and the wire still not glowing red! So I got a 5 Amp meter and tried to control and measure the amperage going trough... I did a schematic of my wiring, I don't now a thing about electrical wiring diagrams and signals to use..., so I did the dummy style diagram for your kind inputs!!! PROBLEM: The Amp meter is dead still !!! everything else is going as it was... Whats missing, any ideas? Thanks, LAYER. |
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Put the ammeter on the negative line and try it.
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I use a 240 v step down 32v 5amp transformer but i regulate the currant not the voltage.We tried doing it with voltage but adjusting the currant is way better.
Shane |
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If it is a digital volt meter (DVM) the current function does fail a lot on the cheaper models, make sure you have moved the plugs to the current sockets on the meter and select AC amps or AC millamps, having it set to DC current will allow the bow to work but the readings won't mean anything.
You would be better using as it as a volt meter across the cutting bow (meter current fuses can easily blow and ruin your cut. I have a volt meter on my DC CNC and an AC volt meter on my hand held bows which are set up lke your cutter. That way you can monitor the cut voltage and make sure it's the same everytime for a given foam type. I would never expect the wire to glow red for cutting EPP or EPS! The smoke and fumes would be very bad and it would likely snap anyway. I have cut very dense nylon foam, even on max power it takes 20 minutes to cut a wing panel but no glowing wire or smoke. If you think you haven't got enough heat you need slow down the cut speed. On my cutters I can cut all foams with no smoke and not much fumes if I go slow enough. Just noticed the LED, that won't be working if you are actually using an AC transformer as in your diagram, if the transformer is actually a DC supply the LED will work briefly and then burn out and you will need to set the meter to DC current. Tony. |
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Last edited by Antonsoarer; Aug 27, 2009 at 05:44 AM.
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Is it an AC or a DC ammeter?
Your circuit needs an AC one. Pat MacKenzie |
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Quote:
That makes sense (ohms law wise) if you are connecting different length bows that use the same wire. |
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My father(DEC)burraflyer was very switched on with his electronics and it was he that has made a my elec things i use for my modeling.E.G hotwire cutter,12volt 30amp power supply and battery charger ,vac pump ,and regulated hot box controller are just a few of the things he built for my shed.If any fail i will have to work it out myself or find someone to fix them. Shane |
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YEP guys my short knowledge of electricity is the problem...
Maybe the Ammeter is not for the type of current I am using... Donīt now if the power supply is AC or DC or the Ammeter or both??? The Ammeter has no info about AC or DC??? Is there anyway to know this? Will try it on the negative side... Thereīs no major problem if it doesn't work, because it cuts OK, no fumes, slow but perfect cuts... I gave some money for it, and its killing me seeing my investment not doing its the job!!! LAYER. |
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A new DVM (from Aldi/Lidl or similar supermarket) costs only about 6 Euro and it will do everything you need. Should say on the Power supply what it outputs.
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Im not sure but dont you need a recterfier to change to DC out of the trany.
Shane |
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On many cheap multi meters there are 3 inputs and you need to move your pos lead to the unfused input to read more than .3-.5 amps. AC/DC is automatic.
Clamp on meters are great. |
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As drawn your bow is getting AC. AC into a transformer means AC out of a transformer unless you add a rectifier. I'd bet your ammeter is DC or set for DC.
+1 to what 1000mph posted about the ammeter connections. Nauga, who 'knows someone' who has blown stuff up with AC thinking it was DC |
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