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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.
Start with the data plate on the machine and its manual, which list the model, the connections it has and the accessories that are approved for it. Note the torch connection type, the remote control socket and whether the machine has a built-in or separate cooling unit.Then compare these details with the part's description and part number. Trolleys, cases, cooling units, remote controls and torch parts often look similar but differ in fit or connectors. If a part is for a different series, it may not connect or work as intended, so check before ordering and ask our team if unsure.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Remote sockets are not universal. Plugs differ in pin count and wiring, and some machines need a particular control panel or adaptor before a remote works. Check the socket type on the machine, the connector on the remote and the compatibility list in the machine's manual.If a remote is not responding, make sure the plug is fully seated, look for bent pins, and check the machine is set to remote mode. Trying the remote on another compatible welder can show whether the fault is in the remote or the machine.