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FAQ - Cobramatic Wire Feeder

MIG Welding Push-Pull Systems

Q. Which wire feeder best suits my needs?

The Cobramatic® Pro Series wire feeders are designed for the hands-on manual welder, And easily lends itself to automatic operation.

Q. Will any of my Cobramatic MIG welding guns fit any Cobramatic wire feeder?

Yes. All welding guns currently manufactured by MK Products, Inc. will work with any currently manufactured Cobramatic wire feeder.

To connect the Python or CobraMAX torches to the older model wire feeders P/N 150-003 and 150-005, an “UPGRADE KIT” (P/N 005-0713) must be installed into the Cobramatic wire feeder.

Q. What sort of adjustments does the wire feeder need??

There are no adjustments required in the wire feeder: only select Aluminum or Steel on the center spindle nut for spool drag and the same on the slave motor drive. Both of these settings can be found in the wire feeder owners manual or inside the lid of the wire feeder.

Q. Does the wire feeder require special drive and idler rolls for different sized wires?

No. The wire feeder comes ready to use with any size wire from 0.030" to 1/16". There are no special drive or idler rolls needed.

Q. How do I connect my wire feeder to my existing power supply?

There is an interface relationship between what the wire feeder requires from the power supply, and what the power supply requires from the wire feeder. Optional Power Supply Interface Cable Kits connect the Cobramatic Wire Feeder to most Lincoln Electric, Miller, ESAB, Thermal Arc and OTC welding power supplies.

Because of the many different power supplies that can have a wire feeder connected, the “Weld Control Selector Guide” available on our Owner's Manuals web page gives instructions on connecting not only the wire feeders, but MK spool guns, external contactors, and other weld control components. It is available at no cost from www.mkproducts.com. The Optional Power Supply Interface Cable Kits are listed below.

Power Supply Interface Cable Kits:

P/N 005-0254 Lincoln PW 450 120VAC P/N 005-0315 Lincoln PW 450 42VAC P/N 005-0316 14P ‘S’ Clocked: Miller, Thermadyne 115VAC, 8' P/N 005-0658 14P ‘S’ Clocked: Miller, Thermadyne 115VAC, 25' P/N 005-0658-50 14P ‘S’ Clocked: Miller 115VAC, 50' P/N 005-0608 14P ‘X’ Clocked: Lincoln 115VAC, 8' P/N 005-0659 14P ‘X’ Clocked: Lincoln 115VAC, 25' P/N 005-0630 19P Thermal Arc Ultra-Flex 115VAC, 8' P/N 005-0705 19P ESAB 460/450 115VAC, 8' P/N 843-0720 10P OTC Daihen DP400/DM350 (for wire feeder) P/N 843-0721 6P OTC Daihen (for remote control) P/N 003-0796 OTC Daihen Power Cable for AC115V

Q. What options are available for my Cobramatic?

Cobramatic Pro Series: Model 150-007:

150-007-M (MK Connections) input power capabilities: 30/42/115/230 VAC, 50/60 Hz
150-007-E (Euro Connections) input power capabilities: 30/42/115/230 VAC, 50/60 Hz.

Mk Products engineers have thought of all connection options and included them in the “PRO SERIES” Wire Feeder at no extra cost. More information about the “PRO SERIES" cabinet here.

Cobramatic: Models 150-003 & 150-005:

To connect the Python or CobraMAX torches to the older model wire feeders P/N 150-003 and 150-005, an “UPGRADE KIT” (P/N 005-0713) must be installed into the Cobramatic wire feeder.

Q. Can I load any size wire spool into the wire feeder?

Any 12" standard spool will fit the wire feeder.

Q. What is PosaStart? When do I need to use it?

PosaStart is the slow run-in wire speed needed to counteract the high amperage arc start when the wire touches the work. Once the arc has been established, the wire speed is automatically changed from the slow run-in speed to the preset welding speed. PosaStart MUST be used with a CC power supply to provide arc initiation and may be used with a CV power supply to help eliminate burn-back at arc strike.

Q. What are Closing Contacts?

Most, if not all, welding power supplies used for MIG welding utilize closing contacts to energize the welding wire. In order to "close" the contacts in the welding power supply, the circuitry in the wire feeder control simply ‘completes the loop’ and closes the contactor.

Q. Can I use my old "S" clocked gun on the wire feeder?

Yes, but it is advisable to modify the 7-pin connector on the end of the welding gun to match that of the wire feeder. All wire feeders and welding guns currently manufactured by MK Products, Inc. are 7-pin "W" clocked. The kit for this conversion is P/N 005-0163.

Q. After using the wire feeder for a while the slave motor gets hot, is this normal?

Yes. The slave motor is designed to stand heat build-up, especially if it stalls. This type of motor is also called a stall motor.

Q. Why do the fuses (F1 & F3) on the Main Board keep blowing?

F1 is related to the 24VDC motor circuit. Check motor leads, wires and relevant connections. Replace motor and/or gun if necessary. The higher torque-lower voltage motors in the new Prince guns, use more amperage at start up. This increased amperage may or may not cause the fuse to blow. It is recommended to change the existing AGC 2A 250V fuse (P/N 151-0001) with fuse 3AG 4A 250V (P/N 151-0043). F3 is related to the 120VAC circuit. Isolate slave motor, brake solenoid, 120VAC contactor and relevant connections. Repair and/or replace faulty components as necessary.

Q. What is the 120VAC external contactor?

When do I need it? The MK200 attaches easily to any Cobramatic wire feeder or WC-1 control box. It’s a secondary contactor that is used in conjunction with welding power supplies that are not equipped with contactors. The MK200 may also be used with other wire feeders that provide a 120VAC contactor signal.

Q.Why doesn’t the brake solenoid come back down after the trigger is released ?

There may be some residual magnetism left in the solenoid coil assembly once the trigger has been released. This magnetism is just enough to hold the solenoid plunger up against the pull of the spring. Replacement of the solenoid assembly is recommended.

Q. When using 030 or 035 aluminum wire, I have to put the Wire Selector switch in the all other wires position, is this right?

No. The slave motor in the wire feeder should have enough torque to push the wire up any length gun conduit, without stalling.

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