THC has anyone used this

[Ed Williams]

I ran across this on eBay. Has anyone used it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/THC-torch-height...item4cef739091

[larryy1022]

some uk guy used it, the forum is uk source or somewhat, he said it's good.
but no much info on ebay, but from its intro, it seems cant do much job on torch height control.

I suggest u check what u need from a THC first.
larry

[Kipper]

Originally Posted by Ed Williams I ran across this on eBay. Has anyone used it? http://cgi.ebay.com/THC-torch-height...item4cef739091

Yup I have one.....I like it so far! I'd say it's the best thing since sliced bread.......If I had a Hypertherm 45..... it plugs straight into that unit!

I have a Powermax 900 as I don't have the cash to lay out on a new unit right now......My 900 is 12 years old.....and (in my opinion) a cracking good PSU!! came with a machine torch and finecut consumables for a third the new price of a 45, I have some misgivings regarding the wiring diagram offered at www.eaziform.co.uk namely the exact settings for current combinations and the part where it shows the THC connected directly to the machine controller...120V is never good into breakout boards or the THC unit for that matter!

The manual is quite cryptic really..... I'm awaiting Monday morning when I can get the resistors needed to build my voltage divider to have it working in a fully automated fashion.

My experience so far is that it works......With the Hypertherm (more details below ) Just a few more emails needed to pry the information I require from the manufacturer.

Originally Posted by larryy1022 some uk guy used it, the forum is uk source or somewhat, he said it's good. but no much info on ebay, but from its intro, it seems cant do much job on torch height control. I suggest u check what u need from a THC first. larry

Am I that UK guy?

Quite possibly....I bought a POS 50A plasma supplied by one of your countrymen......I can only use that particular one for hand cutting......At the end of my driveway to stop it interfering with everything from horses to satellite transmission....Hell it can turn a laptop off at 15 feet!

Maybe you could buy one of these THC's and compare it with your offering before deciding "it seems (it?) cant do much (of a?) job on torch height control" as it may appear you're offering some early vine fruit?

[larryy1022]

yes, keith, i was talking abt u. I'm sorry if any of my words offended u, I was just trying to share some info there.

I think as a offer of arc voltage THC, at least follow info shall be mentioned,

IHS, (auto/manual, ohmic contact, or stall force,)
control accuracy
solution for kerf crossing
voltage divide
manual/auto operation

I didnt say that's bad product, or I have a better offer.
Maybe you have had a bad experience of buying from China, but I dont think I'm the guy should be blamed

By the way, if u like I can send u a manual of our THC for your checking, maybe later you will make some different comment.

tks larry

[Kipper]

I wasn't offended at all Larry....Just offering some hands on experience of the OP's mentioned product sighting.

[jimcolt]

Looks like a nice product....it would be nice to see a complete write up of installation and use.....with detailed info in regards to building the z axis, how initial height sensing is achieved (ohmic, limit switch, stall force, etc), and how it operates from the machine operators perspective.

There seems to be a huge demand for a very low cost standalone THC system for home built and entry level plasma systems. I would like to see someone take a product like this and finish the integration (offer an optional z axis assembly, cables, voltage divider, etc) that would allow for a turn key full featured height control!

Jim Colt Hypertherm

[larryy1022]

Yeah, Now we all wait for Keith's update.

[Kipper]

Originally Posted by jimcolt Looks like a nice product....it would be nice to see a complete write up of installation and use.....with detailed info in regards to building the z axis, how initial height sensing is achieved (ohmic, limit switch, stall force, etc), and how it operates from the machine operators perspective. There seems to be a huge demand for a very low cost standalone THC system for home built and entry level plasma systems. I would like to see someone take a product like this and finish the integration (offer an optional z axis assembly, cables, voltage divider, etc) that would allow for a turn key full featured height control! Jim Colt Hypertherm

Well the voltage divider for the Powermax 900 machine interface was quite simple to make.....I'm always impressed when a company gives lot's of details on outputs from their unit and indeed resistance and voltage measurements at test points.....ok so Hypertherm have made me happy with a 12 year old machine! And I'd be happy to write of my experience with the THC.... Once I get a few more answers. Anyone thinking of buying one of these might want to hold on to their cash until a burning question is answered!

Originally Posted by larryy1022 Yeah, Now we all wait for Keith's update.

OK so I just checked the workshop for hidden cameras....How do you know that I know something?

[larryy1022]

from yr previous posts.
I'm just interested in any kind of THC, as we are making THC. Maybe I will buy one from them if you have a good result there, as our engineers always want to check new THC on the market.
All kinds of THC in our workshop, Burny, Hypertherm, Torchmate....Sometimes customer send us a PCB of THC no one knows from where it was.

tks larry

[steve_p]

Originally Posted by Kipper Well the voltage divider for the Powermax 900 machine interface was quite simple to make.....I'm always impressed when a company gives lot's of details on outputs from their unit and indeed resistance and voltage measurements at test points.....ok so Hypertherm have made me happy with a 12 year old machine! And I'd be happy to write of my experience with the THC.... Once I get a few more answers. Anyone thinking of buying one of these might want to hold on to their cash until a burning question is answered! OK so I just checked the workshop for hidden cameras....How do you know that I know something?

What did you use for the voltage divider? Was it just resistors or did it have any noise suppression? I have a Powermax800 and I'm considering one of these THCs, so info about the divider would be handy. You still happy with the setup?

[Kipper]

Originally Posted by larryy1022 from yr previous posts. I'm just interested in any kind of THC, as we are making THC. Maybe I will buy one from them if you have a good result there, as our engineers always want to check new THC on the market. All kinds of THC in our workshop, Burny, Hypertherm, Torchmate....Sometimes customer send us a PCB of THC no one knows from where it was. tks larry

Research is always good!

Originally Posted by steve_p What did you use for the voltage divider? Was it just resistors or did it have any noise suppression? I have a Powermax800 and I'm considering one of these THCs, so info about the divider would be handy. You still happy with the setup?

Voltage divider is 2 wirewound 50W Aluminium housed resistors.......47K and 2.2K giving 5.2VDC

Not sure I'm still happy with the setup The only connections to the PC via the BOB are on the isolated pins......Yet when the torch is triggered with the THC not turned on (manual straight line cutting) it blew both the THC board and the PC...... I'm awaiting a reply from the manufacturer regarding this.

So.....I'm looking at my options for a tried and tested THC fully developed with no nasty surprises.

[larryy1022]

Originally Posted by steve_p What did you use for the voltage divider? Was it just resistors or did it have any noise suppression? I have a Powermax800 and I'm considering one of these THCs, so info about the divider would be handy. You still happy with the setup?

Hi,

If u can delay the guiding divided arc voltage into yr THC, I mean, prolong this divided arc voltage input time, then you can use None isolation voltage Divide by resister directly, this is the most cost-effective way.

pls check the attachment pic of circuit design, hope it's useful to you.

the second one is our voltage divider, which offers too option, Isolation/none-isolation voltage divide.

But it's 100:1, u need to make some change.

larry