I have a Sunkko 788+ Spot Welder. It failed on me rather quickly, either from a faulty triac, or from overheating the triac due to an aggressive duty cycle (I’d say I exceeded the rated duty cycle, but that would imply there was enough documentation to determine this, which… not so much).
2015-05-16 by Tim
Nicely done. i’ve seen this sort of 220v → 120v issue in computer PSUs from the early 00’s when auto-switching models became more commonplace. half expected you to install a massive heat sink. how is the chassis ventilated?
2015-05-16 by Russell Graves
Poorly. It has a few slits cut in each side and no forced airflow at all. I’ll try to update the other blog post with a side shot.
2015-05-17 by TDJ
Good stuff. I’m encouraged that my single completed weld 709A might be salvageable. They are finally sending a new PCB. It completed one weld and POOF. Sadly I’m an electronics n00b with no local playmates interested in my dilemma. I remain hopeful. Kinda of an expensive footstool otherwise. Thanks for posting the story!
2015-05-17 by Russell Graves
I’m just assuming that if one plays in the realm of cheap Chinese equipment, one must be prepared to fix cheap Chinese equipment. It’s an endless rabbit hole.
2015-10-16 by FRO
Just curious if you think adding a pc fan in the unit would help much in keeping the unit running cooler?
2015-10-17 by Russell Graves
I think it would, and I’ve considered it, but I simply haven’t needed to so far. I go easy on the unit now, and let it cool - I’m not running the welds as fast as I can anymore. If the triac were getting hot, airflow would help, but just having it in open air instead of crammed on the front with no circulation seems to be enough.
2015-11-04 by TDJ
Anyone need a 709A and new PCB? Mine quit. They replaced the board but the repair is beyond my scope. 110V version.
2015-11-07 by Jeff Gerritsen
Russell, My 788 quit working tonight, although the symptoms are a little different than your experience. I have symptoms such as there is no LCD display showing current and pulses. I haven’t opened up the front part of the case yet, but it might be more than just a triac. Any suggestions on trouble shoot the 788 when there is no display, but the LED lights mounted on the welding arms work, fuse is okay, and the battery charger side works fine!
I deleted the original comment because it’s late at night and after re-reading the original comment it was on the incoherent side. Sorry about that.
2016-03-12 by stopspammer
My 787A start trouble some times. LCD start blink and then off. Need power on /off that come back.
If this happened Its not work. Can some have this problem ?
2016-04-07 by Unknown
do u think we can replace the Transformer with one from a 1100W microwave for more current ? for thicker nickel strip? i have a 220V version ( australia) basically make use of the timer function to power a bigger transformer … what do u think ?
2016-04-09 by Russell Graves
If you’re going to do this, separate out the current flow to the transformer. I don’t think the PCB will take the increased current flow for long, and you might want a more robust triac.
2016-07-11 by Unknown
Holy Cow Batman you have just ordered this crap, so why are you reading this, are you a bloody masochist.
So I am in the UK looked for Triacs on eBay to no avail any help please for the BCR30AM12L.
Also any problems from UK users or am I being nervous and inventing problems, hopefully being blessed with this delivery Friday, as you guy’s seem to think 110v’s the problem (along with very short duty cycle).
And Chinglish or a lack of instructions.
Regards David
2016-07-11 by Russell Graves
Any of the BRC30AM series triacs should be fine. You may have a different model - I doubt they’re consistent for long on the scrap triacs they throw in.
The only real problem I’ve heard about with the 220v units is that they’re really rough on circuit breakers as far as surge currents go. You may have to put in a slower tripping breaker if it pops the breaker as soon as you power it on.
2016-07-11 by Unknown
Thanks Russell, as it happens…
I am now working in Electrical retail (I loved Teachibg but hate kids (17YO’s, Mine are fine it’s the others)) so no problem with MCB B.C, ? curve whatever.
As for the triac I will keep looking, would you like any shots of the inside of the UK one when it arrives.
PS we work on a 30amp ring main here, but we are in an old Victorian house so mains probably to be desired and will be a spur off the ring.
Sorry to go on Ta regards David
2016-07-11 by Unknown
Also What voltage and amperage (600v 40A) for the Triac.
BRC30AM = 30amps 400-600volts.
I found this:- http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1689729.pdf
TOP2 is what it looks like you have but the RD91 (insulated) at twice the price if gates correct or will do.
Interesting in the data sheet T=25Deg C, cooling fan mod very important.
Your thoughts please Russell.
Kind regards David
2016-07-14 by Russell Graves
I really don’t know. I found some identical replacements.
I may have a few spares somewhere if you can’t find one.
2016-07-15 by Unknown
Thank you Russell I have sourced them on the Bay from China at a tenner for five.
But for now, I have on order (from up north) a 47 Ohm Resistor and a SPST with Missile cover Switch, Ohm’s Law @ 240 volts.
You got that Scope yet, or the time…
I really think it will work via a 13 amp fused UK plug with the suggested Switch Modification (5 amps).
Kind regards David
2016-07-15 by Russell Graves
I have a scope, but it’s an old analog one.
Time? Hah. Sadly, no. Shed building and such has been consuming all my time lately.
2016-07-16 by Unknown
Ditto on Scope x2, both need switches/Pots cleaning/replacing. Ditto Time.
Not ordered the Triacs yet, I have ordered Copper Rod though if you need any PM me, hopefully 400mm lengths x 4. I do have a Lathe/Mill again not working/no home for it, (Any Masochists in Kent UK).
Thank you, regards David
2016-07-21 by Clem
Hello David,
my unit kept triggering the circuit breakers (on 220V) and recently blew the triac as well when turning on.
Just wondering, could you please elaborate what modification you’re planning with the resistor and the switch?
Thanks!
Clem
2016-07-23 by Unknown
Dear John (Unknown), I am about to start and I will first add a switch with a resistor bridging it with a missile cover for added security (SPST, 47R Axial 5W Ceramic Resistor 5%).
Hope that helps, PM me an address so I can post you a resistor.
I hope to start today but it is time, I also have a PCU heat sink and fan how I go about that is Top Secret (Buggered if I know but I will when done).
Kind regards David
2016-07-23 by Russell Graves
David -
I’d be very interested in some photos of your improvements, and if you’re willing to share them, I’d be happy to put up a post about your tweaks!
2016-08-01 by Unknown
Well trying to fix my 788+. I powered it on. It sat for a few minutes not being used when out of the blue it buzzed as though it was welding, then blew the fuse. I took it apart and I don’t see anything obvious like a smoked component. I put an ohm meter on the triac to look for a short and found none. Tried a fresh fuse and the unit buzzed and blew the fuse as soon as the welder was powered up. Any suggestions? John johnmduprey@gmail.com
2016-08-01 by Russell Graves
Check continuity through the foot pedal plug. I understand they can go bad and cause problems.
2016-08-02 by Unknown
Ordered a couple components to try replacing: both the BCR30AM triac and the MIP0225SY MOS/IC. Since is was blowing the fuse I figure it’s probably a component that carries some current and those are the ones that stand out due to attached heat sinks.
2016-08-12 by Unknown
Hi i am using 788 220v . It keep tripping my home circuit breaker. I tried on 20a circuit breaker as this is the max for home. Anyway to tweak this to make it works without tempered or change my home circuit breaker. As this change are not allowed for home
2016-12-20 by SouthPark
I blew the heck out of my 788H a couple of hours ago. Hence I’m now on google and I found this page. My 220V 788H tripped breakers. So I bought a microwave oven transformer (welling brand), and replaced the secondary winding with 2 loops of four-gage wire. I got only 1.6V AC from the 2 loop winding. The power into the spot weld was weak… too weak to weld strips together. It was heating, but very very weak. Then, I turned off both switches (weld switch and power switch. But later, I turned on the main power (red switch) and didn’t give enough time for the LCD panel to start up properly before switching on the green weld power switch. When this happened, the LCD panel lights went off… and stayed off. I then turned both switches off. Then pressed the red main switch to turn the unit on… but still no lights at all. No life or activity. Then, as I was switching the red switch to the OFF position (yes… switching to OFF), big flash of light came out from the board (as I had the top lid opened for testing). The breaker outside the house switched off. I see black soot on the board near a small IC somewhere below the molex-like white connector (with the power wires and the thermal fuse wires). And I also see spray/splay marks (on the internal floor of the 788H case) that look like dirty water lines, but it’s dry… could have been ejection of plastic or whatever. I’ll see if I can fix whatever is broken on the board. I decided to order a second 788H from ebay (in case the one I just blew is truly history). My next modification will be more turns on the secondary, such as 4 turns. This is to increase the AC voltage to at least 4 Volt AC. One or two turns on the secondary will certainly not work. Waste of time. However, in order to get more turns, it will be necessary to either use lower gage number wire, or to use ‘flat’ (strap-like) wire. Otherwise, it’s impossible to get more than a couple of winding turns into the transformer if large diameter wire is used. The ‘nice’ thing is, when I was testing the 788H with my new modified transformer, the breakers did not trip at all. I suspect that the tripping of 220V 788H models is due to the original (stock) transformer. I suspect this … because I have previously dismantled the stock 788H (E-I lamination) transformer, in order to reduce the number of secondary turns to ‘1’. Same issue — current too weak. But, just turning on weld power every 5 or 6 times led to breaker trip. And this is only starting up the machine in preparation for welding. Just turning the green light switch to ‘on’ would sometimes trip the breaker. However, I believe that I killed the board because I turned on the green switch too hastily without waiting for the circuit board to properly start up. So, if I do fix the machine, then I’ll make sure to wait 10 seconds (after turning on the red switch) before turning on the green switch.
2016-12-20 by SouthPark
Back again! After a frustrating time with removing the 788H circuit board from the front panel, I found two confirmed destroyed components. One of the components that exploded apart (with a piece that got ejected off during the flash) was what-appears to be a surface mount bridge rectifier IC (4 legs. This IC is near the molex-like 4-pin power (and thermal fuse) plug. The other component that got destroyed was on the other side of the board, and that component is a thermistor, NTC 5D something. I think I need to wait for my new 788H to arrive in order to see if I can get some make/model numbers of these destroyed components. Even if I replace them, obviously no guarantee that the board could come back to a working condition. I’ll see how it goes.
Now, as for the 788H circuit board, removing the board from the front panel was a pain in the neck. This is because the sockets/grommets etc for the battery charging terminals appear to be permanently fixed. Regardless of whether those grommets were permanently fixed or not, I simply used a pair of cutters to cut out the grommets. Doing this allowed the circuit board to become separated from the front panel. In my opinion, the 788H is problematic. But I’m sure everything will be ok in the end, once all the required modifications are made.
2016-12-20 by SouthPark
Update : just noticed the label “DB207” on the circuit board. This matches the broken (exploded/shattered) surface mount bridge rectifier part. The other component, that blew apart is a 5D-9 thermistor. I’ve now ordered some of these, and will see what happens if I replace the blown parts on my circuit board. Fingers crossed.
2016-12-21 by SouthPark
Correcting an earlier error. Earlier, I wrote “it will be necessary to either use lower gage number wire”, but I should have meant ‘higher gage number wire’, since higher gage means thinner cable diameter. And I need thinner cable in order to get more turns into the limited cross sectional area of the secondary winding slot of the transformer.
Today, I managed to cram 6 turns of 8 AWG wire into my Welling brand microwave oven transformer. That provided 5V AC on the secondary side. Once my new 788H arrives, I will put this transformer into the new machine. My blown 788H seems to have ‘missing’ surface mount resistors. I’m thinking that they got vaporized during the major failure event.
2017-02-03 by Unknown
Jim Newson,
where did you find the 220v version?
2017-03-21 by porrascarlos80
mine was brand new, same effect was seen however in my case it was NOT the triac it was the primary of the transformer. Solder joints to the board were very weak , then resoldered wires direcly and that solved the problem.
2017-03-21 by Unknown
Porras,
got pics? Where exactly are these joints? did you have to take the circuit board apart from the front cover?
2017-05-20 by Unknown
Hello to all. I’m new here. I bought the Sunkko 709A that has failed for up to 3 months. In practice it turns on but not firm. Someone has already solved this problem. Do you know if the electric diagram is available?
2017-05-23 by Unknown
is it not welding? the op of this thread has found the fix. is your triac working?
2017-06-11 by ko
Russell,
What settings do you use on the 778+
2017-06-12 by Russell Graves
My settings won’t be useful to you because I am compensating for some inverter sag.
On grid power, I believed I used “2 70” with the current set knob turned down pretty far and it worked fine, but you’ll have to play with your system - things change for different strip thicknesses and different alloys.
2017-08-12 by Obi
IC 7 ist defekt
Bezeichnung?