Chicago Electric 55525 Parts list manual

220 VAC* DUAL
MIG WELDER
Model 55525
ASSEMBLY AND OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS
Due to continuing improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein.
®
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93011
Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com
TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY, READ AND UNDERSTAND
ALL WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE.
Copyright©2007 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved. No portion of this
manual or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form
without the express written consent of Harbor Freight Tools.
For technical questions or replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353.
*220 VAC refers to input voltage.

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Troubleshooting section at end of manual. Page 2SKU 55525
Contents
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS ......................................................... 3
GENERAL SAFETY RULES............................................................ 3
Specific Safety Rules .................................................................................. 6
Grounding .................................................................................................... 9
Extension Cords ......................................................................................... 10
Symbology .................................................................................................. 10
UNPACKING ................................................................................... 10
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS ......................................................... 11
To Attach The Handle ................................................................................. 11
Face Shield Assembly................................................................................ 11
To Install a Wire Spool................................................................................ 11
To Route The Wire....................................................................................... 12
To Change Wire Settings............................................................................ 14
Setting The Gun Polarity For Wire Type .................................................... 15
To Install A Gas Cylinder ........................................................................... 16
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS........................................................ 17
Before You Begin Welding.......................................................................... 17
Duty Cycle (Duration of Use)..................................................................... 17
Setting Up The Weld ................................................................................... 18
Holding The Welding Torch ........................................................................ 19
Weld Settings Chart ................................................................................... 20
Weld Diagnosis........................................................................................... 22
When the Weld is Completed..................................................................... 24
INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, AND CLEANING......................... 25
Nozzle Inspection, Cleaning, and Replacement ...................................... 25
Contact Tip Inspection, Cleaning, And Replacement.............................. 25
Replacing The Welding Torch Liner........................................................... 26
Parts Lists and Diagrams ............................................................. 27
Wiring Schematic ....................................................................................... 27
Parts List ..................................................................................................... 28
Assembly Diagram ..................................................................................... 29
TROUBLESHOOTING .................................................................... 31
WARRANTY.................................................................................... 33

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PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Welding Current 35 ~ 110 Amps
Duty Cycle 15% @ 110 Amps / 100% @ 35 Amps
(Refer to chart and explanation on page 18)
Power Consumption 220 Volt / 60 Hz / Single Phase / 24.5 Amps
(Should be connected to a 25 Amp minimum dedicated circuit)
Open Circuit Voltage 40 Volts Maximum
Required Power Plug Type 3-Prong, 220 VAC, polarized, twist lock (not included)
NEMA #L6-30 or equivalent
Power Cord Rating 14 AWG x 3C x 6’ Long
Gas Inlet Size 1/4”
Cables Ground: 6 Gauge, 6’.................Torch: 8 Gauge, 6’
Welding Wire Size 0.23” to 0.035”
Wire Spool Size 4” Diameter
Included Torch Tip Size 0.030”
Accessories Wire Spool / Cylinder Strap / Wire Brush & Hammer /
Spare .8mm & 1.0mm Welding Tips / Hand-Held Face Shield
Net Weight 53.5 Pounds
SAVE THIS MANUAL
You will need this manual for the safety warnings and precautions, assembly, oper-
ating, inspection, maintenance and cleaning procedures, parts list and assembly diagram.
Keep your invoice with this manual. Write the invoice number on the inside of the front
cover. Keep this manual and invoice in a safe and dry place for future reference.
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
WARNING!
READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL INSTRUCTIONS
Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in
electric shock, fire, and/or serious injury.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
WORK AREA
Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered benches and dark areas invite
accidents.
Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the pres-
ence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Power tools create sparks which may
ignite the dust or fumes.
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Keep bystanders, children, and visitors away while operating a power tool.
Distractions can cause you to lose control. Protect others in the work area from
debris such as chips and sparks. Provide barriers or shields as needed.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Grounded tools must be plugged into an outlet properly installed and grounded
in accordance with all codes and ordinances. Never remove the grounding
prong or modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs. Check with
a qualified electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the outlet is properly
grounded. If the tools should electrically malfunction or break down, grounding
provides a low resistance path to carry electricity away from the user.
Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges,
and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is
grounded.
Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power
tool will increase the risk of electric shock.
Do not abuse the Power Cord. Never use the Power Cord to carry the tools or
pull the Plug from an outlet. Keep the Power Cord away from heat, oil, sharp
edges, or moving parts. Replace damaged Power Cords immediately. Dam-
aged Power Cords increase the risk of electric shock.
When operating a power tool outside, use an outdoor extension cord marked
“W-A” or “W”. These extension cords are rated for outdoor use, and reduce the
risk of electric shock.
PERSONAL SAFETY
Stay alert. Watch what you are doing, and use common sense when operat-
ing a power tool. Do not use a power tool while tired or under the influence
of drugs, alcohol, or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power
tools may result in serious personal injury.
Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Contain long hair.
Keep your hair, clothing, and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes,
jewelry, or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
Avoid accidental starting. Be sure the Power Switch is off before plugging
in. Carrying power tools with your finger on the Power Switch, or plugging in power
tools with the Power Switch on, invites accidents.
Remove adjusting keys or wrenches before turning the power tool on. A
wrench or a key that is left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result
in personal injury.
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Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Proper footing
and balance enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.
Always wear eye, hearing, and breathing protection. For welding safety equip-
ment, refer to number 9on page 6.
TOOL USE AND CARE
Use clamps (not included) or other practical ways to secure and support the
workpiece to a stable platform. Holding the work by hand or against your body
is unstable and may lead to loss of control.
Do not force the tool. Use the correct tool for your application. The correct
tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it is designed.
Do not use the power tool if the Power Switch does not turn it on or off. Any
tool that cannot be controlled with the Power Switch is dangerous and must be
replaced.
Disconnect the Power Cord Plug from the power source before making any
adjustments, changing accessories, or storing the tool. Such preventive safety
measures reduce the risk of starting the tool accidentally.
Store idle tools out of reach of children and other untrained persons. Tools
are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
Maintain tools with care. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly main-
tained tools with a sharp cutting edge are less likely to bind and are easier to control.
Do not use a damaged tool. Tag damaged tools “Do not use” until repaired.
Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, and any
other condition that may affect the tool’s operation. If damaged, have the tool
serviced before using. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained tools.
Use only accessories that are recommended by the manufacturer for your
model. Accessories that may be suitable for one tool may become hazardous
when used on another tool.
SERVICE
Tool service must be performed only by qualified repair personnel. Service or
maintenance performed by unqualified personnel could result in a risk of injury.
When servicing a tool, use only identical replacement parts. Follow instruc-
tions in the “Inspection, Maintenance, And Cleaning” section of this manual.
Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow maintenance instructions may create
a risk of electric shock or injury.
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SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES
Ground this product. This Welder requires the attachment and use of a UL-listed,
220 volt, grounded, 3-prong, electrical Power Cord Plug (not included). Only a quali-
fied electrician should install the Power Cord Plug. Never remove the grounding
prong or modify the Power Cord Plug in any way. Do not use adapter plugs with
this product. To comply with the National Electric Code, and to provide additional
protection from the risk of electrical shock, this product should only be connected
to a 220 volt, 3-hole outlet that is properly grounded.
Maintain labels and nameplates on the Welder. These carry important informa-
tion. If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools for a replacement.
Avoid unintentional starting. Make sure you are prepared to begin work before
turning on the Welder.
Do not force the Welder. This tool will do the work better and safer at the speed
and capacity for which it was designed.
Never leave the Welder unattended when it is plugged into an electrical outlet.
Turn off the tool, and unplug it from its electrical outlet before leaving.
Industrial applications must follow OSHA guidelines.
Never stand on the Welder. Serious injury could result if the Welder is tipped or
if hot surfaces are accidently contacted.
Maintain a safe working environment. Keep the work area well lit. Make sure
there is adequate surrounding workspace. Always keep the work area free of ob-
structions, grease, oil, trash, and other debris. Do not use a power tool in areas
near flammable chemicals, dusts, and vapors. Do not use this product in a damp
or wet location.
Prevent eye injury and burns. Wearing and using ANSI-approved
personal safety clothing and safety devices reduce the risk for injury.
Wear ANSI-approved safety impact eye goggles with a welding helmet
with protective lens.
Leather leggings, fire resistant shoes or boots should be worn when using this
product. Do not wear pants with cuffs, shirts with open pockets, or any clothing
that can catch and hold molten metal or sparks.
Keep clothing free of grease, oil, solvents, or any flammable substances. Wear
dry, insulating gloves and protective clothing.
Wear an approved head covering to protect the head and neck. Use aprons, cape,
sleeves, shoulder covers, and bibs designed and approved for welding and cut-
ting procedures.
When welding/cutting overhead or in confined spaces, wear flame resistant ear
plugs or ear muffs to keep sparks out of ears.
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Prevent accidental fires. Remove any combustible material from the
work area.
When possible, move the work to a location well away from combustible
materials. If relocation is not possible, protect the combustibles with a
cover made of fire resistant material.
Remove or make safe all combustible materials for a radius of 35 feet (10 meters)
around the work area. Use a fire resistant material to cover or block all open
doorways, windows, cracks, and other openings.
Enclose the work area with portable fire resistant screens. Protect combustible
walls, ceilings, floors, etc., from sparks and heat with fire resistant covers.
If working on a metal wall, ceiling, etc., prevent ignition of combustibles on the
other side by moving the combustibles to a safe location. If relocation of combus-
tibles is not possible, designate someone to serve as a fire watch, equipped with
a fire extinguisher, during the cutting process and for at least one half hour after
the cutting is completed.
Do not weld or cut on materials having a combustible coating or combustible in-
ternal structure, as in walls or ceilings, without an approved method for eliminating
the hazard.
Do not dispose of hot slag in containers holding combustible materials. Keep a
fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it.
After spot welding, make a thorough examination for evidence of fire. Be aware
that easily-visible smoke or flame may not be present for some time after the fire
has started. Do not weld or cut in atmospheres containing dangerously reactive
or flammable gases, vapors, liquids, and dust. Provide adequate ventilation in
work areas to prevent accumulation of flammable gases, vapors, and dust. Do not
apply heat to a container that has held an unknown substance or a combustible
material whose contents, when heated, can produce flammable or explosive va-
pors. Clean and purge containers before applying heat. Vent closed containers,
including castings, before preheating, welding, or cutting.
Avoid overexposure to fumes and gases. Always keep your head out of the
fumes. Do not breathe the fumes. Use enough ventilation or exhaust, or both, to
keep fumes and gases from your breathing zone and general area.
Where ventilation is questionable, have a qualified technician take an air sam-
pling to determine the need for corrective measures. Use mechanical ventilation
to improve air quality. If engineering controls are not feasible, use an approved
respirator.
Work in a confined area only if it is well ventilated, or while wearing an air-sup-
plied respirator.
Follow OSHA guidelines for Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL’s) for various fumes
and gases.
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Troubleshooting section at end of manual. Page 8SKU 55525
Follow the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists recom-
mendations for Threshold Limit Values (TLV’s) for fumes and gases.
Have a recognized specialist in Industrial Hygiene or Environmental Services
check the operation and air quality and make recommendations for the specific
welding or cutting situation.
Inhalation Hazard
Welding Produces TOXIC FUMES and GASSES.
Exposure to welding gasses can increase the risk of developing
certain cancers, such as cancer of the larynx and lung cancer.
Also, some diseases that may be linked to exposure to welding gas-
ses or fumes are:
• Early onset of Parkinson’s Disease • Heart Disease
• Damage to the reproductive organs • Ulcers
• Inflammation of the small intestine or stomach • Kidney damage
• Respiratory diseases such as emphysema, bronchitis or pneumonia
Safety precautions, such as using natural or forced air ventilation and
wearing a NIOSH-approved respirator, are ESSENTIAL to reduce the
risk of developing the above illnesses.
Read and understand all instructions and safety precautions as outlined in
the manufacturer’s manual for the material you will weld or cut.
Do not touch live electrical parts. Wear dry, insulating gloves. Do not touch elec-
trode or conductor tong with bare hand. Do not wear wet or damaged gloves.
Protect yourself from electric shock. Do not use outdoors. Insulate yourself from
the workpiece and ground. Use nonflammable, dry insulating material if possible,
or use dry rubber mats, dry wood or plywood, or other dry insulating material big
enough to cover your full area of contact with the work or ground.
Ensure that the unit is placed on a stable location before use. If this unit falls
while plugged in, severe injury, electric shock, or fire may result.
Cylinders can explode when damaged:
Never weld on a pressurized or a closed cylinder.
Never lay a welding torch on a cylinder.
Never allow a welding electrode to touch the cylinder.
Keep cylinders away from any electrical circuits, including welding circuits.
Keep protective cap in place over the valve except when the cylinder is in use.
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Use only correct gas shielding equipment designed specifically for the type of
welding you will do. Maintain this equipment properly.
Always protect gas cylinders from heat, being struck, physical damage, slag,
flames, sparks, and arcs.
Always use proper procedures to move cylinders.
Use the right tool for the job. Do not attempt to force small equipment to do the
work of larger industrial equipment. There are certain applications for which this
Welder was designed. It will do the job better and more safely at the rate for which it
was intended. Do not modify this Welder, and do not use this Welder for a purpose
for which it was not intended.
WARNING! People with pacemakers should consult their physician(s) before
using this product. Electromagnetic fields in close proximity to a heart pacemaker
could cause interference to or failure of the pacemaker.
WARNING! The warnings and cautions discussed in this manual cannot cover
all possible conditions and situations that may occur. It must be understood by the
operator that common sense and caution are factors which cannot be built into this
product, but must be supplied by the operator.
WARNING! This product, when used for welding and similar applications, pro-
duces chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects
(or other reproductive harm).
(California Health & Safety Code § 25249.5, et seq.)
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
GROUNDING
NOTE:
This Welder requires the installation of a 3-Prong, 220 VAC, polarized,
twistlock Power Cord Plug (not included).
NEMA configuration # L6-30 or equivalent
The Plug must be installed by a certified electrician.
WARNING!
Improperly connecting the grounding wire can result in the risk of electric
shock. Check with a qualified electrician if you are in doubt as to whether
the outlet is properly grounded. Do not modify the power cord plug used
with the tool. Never remove the grounding prong from the plug. Do not
use the tool if the power cord or plug is damaged. If damaged, have it
repaired by a service facility before use. If the plug will not fit the outlet,
have a proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician.
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Troubleshooting section at end of manual. Page 10SKU 55525
GROUNDED TOOLS: TOOLS WITH THREE PRONG PLUGS
Tools marked with “Grounding Required” have a three wire cord and three prong
grounding plug. The plug must be connected to a properly grounded outlet. If the tool
should electrically malfunction or break down, grounding provides a low resistance
path to carry electricity away from the user, reducing the risk of electric shock.
The grounding prong in the plug is connected through the green wire inside the
cord to the grounding system in the tool. The green wire in the cord must be the
only wire connected to the tool’s grounding system and must never be attached to
an electrically “live” terminal.
Your tool must be plugged into an appropriate outlet, properly installed by a certi-
fied electrician and grounded in accordance with all codes and ordinances.
EXTENSION CORDS
AN EXTENSION CORD MUST NEVER BE USED WITH THIS ITEM. Use of an
extension cord could result in damage to the item or fire.
SYMBOLOGY
Double Insulated
Canadian Standards Association
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
V~ Volts Alternating Current
AAmperes
n0xxxx/min. No Load Revolutions per Minute (RPM)
UNPACKING
When unpacking both boxes, check to make sure all the parts shown on the Parts
Lists on pages 28 through 30 are included, in addition to the face shield, wire brush/
hammer, and strap (for cylinder connection). If any parts are missing or broken, please
call Harbor Freight Tools at the number shown on the cover of this manual as soon as
possible.
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