Thread: CIG Transarc Contractor manual

Hello Mark, Don't have the exact manual you seek but have the Transarc Tradesman one which may be similar if not the same setup as yours. I will attempt to attach a PDF to my post.
If you get the PDF hopefully you can zoom it up and read it OK. Please PM me if any questions.

Hi John, thanks for the copy of the Tradesman manual, I had a quick look and it shows the configuration for various voltages. It does show wiring for 415V operation using two active wires off three phase which is what I expected for the "Contractor" welder 415V operation. I also have a "Tradesman" welder as well which needs a new base fabricated to repair the rusty base, so the manual is welcome info.


The photo below shows the ceramic terminal block with the hot melted insulation on one wire. The brass ferrule for that wire shows signs of heating and a corroded screw, probably causing a high resistance connection that generated the heat, Jaycar have a very similar ceramic terminal block with three terminals instead of two which I'm replacing it with. I spoke with a guy who has serviced welders and he tells me it's a common problem as welders get older or units in a marine environment such as shipyards. At this point I've dismantled the welder and treated the chassis rust with phosphoric acid and repainted the chassis and the steel can capacitors. The caps have a date of 13-79 which I'm assuming is the 13th week 1979 and were made in the States by a welder company over there. I'll be getting the repairs checked by an electrician once completed and megged to check the insulation too.

Yeah they are a good reliable machine. The loose terminal caused that wire to cook for sure but it should be all good once cleaned up and reterminated. I will have to pull the cover off mine and give it a checkover as well, maybe a repaint. I think it deserves that after 30 years of good service.