Fronius MagicWave 230i Parts FAQs
Accessories and spares for an AC/DC TIG inverter welder: cooling units, remote controls, torch necks, adaptors, trolleys and software options, and how to choose the right ones.
When do I need a water cooling unit?
A cooling unit is needed to run a water-cooled torch, which suits sustained or high-current work. Gas-cooled (air-cooled) torches are lighter and fine for intermittent work at moderate current, but they heat up as the current and arc time rise. A water-cooled torch keeps its handle and head cooler and can be rated for continuous use at higher current.
Whether you need one depends on your usual current, how long the arc runs and the torch rating. Check the torch's rated current at 100 percent duty cycle, not just the headline figure, and follow the machine's manual.
What coolant should go in a TIG cooling unit?
Use only the liquid the machine and cooler maker specify. A mix of inhibited coolant and distilled water is common, but follow your manual. Car antifreeze can clog the narrow torch passages because of its additives, and hard tap water is best avoided because minerals can scale up the torch and radiator.
Check the level and the condition of the coolant regularly, and replace it if it looks cloudy, discoloured or contains particles. Low flow can overheat and damage the torch, so keep hoses free of kinks and do not run the unit dry. The manual gives the correct fluid and change interval.
Why do some torches need an adaptor, and what is a gas-through adaptor?
Torches and machines come with different connection styles, so an adaptor lets a torch fit a machine it was not made for. A gas-through adaptor passes shielding gas through the power connection, which is useful when the machine has a combined power and gas socket and the torch has a separate gas hose fitting.
Before buying, check the machine's socket, whether the torch is gas-cooled or water-cooled, and the thread type on the torch. Fit connectors firmly as the manual describes, without over-tightening, and join the right hoses to the right ports, as crossed or loose connections can cause leaks and overheating.
How does a foot pedal or remote control work on a TIG welder?
A pedal or hand remote acts as a remote current control. You set the maximum current on the machine and the pedal varies the output up to that limit, much like a car accelerator. Releasing it lowers the current and ends the weld. Many also work as the arc start switch.
The machine usually has to be set to remote operation before it responds, which is done in its menu or by the method in the manual. A pedal with a wired lead suits a fixed bench, while a hand remote on the torch suits positions where the foot cannot reach.