by Natalie Edwards

As more and more Cougartron weld cleaning machines leave our warehouse to find forever homes amongst our engineering customers, we've learnt a few things that we want to pass on to you so you can get the best performance from your Cougartron...

Powering your Cougartron

They may look simple on the outside, but these little weld cleaners have complex technological stuff going on inside. The computerised system requires consistent power to operate safely and avoid any power surges that can fry the electronics. This means:

  • Avoid running off a generator unless consistent power can be guaranteed. If you think you may be running your Cougartron with inconsistent power, you should plug it through a trip meter to stop high power spikes.
  • Always unplug the machine after use - electrical storms or other machines in use can cause power surges.
  • Avoid running on the same circuit as a welder or other high-drain electrical equipment and fluctuations in power supply can damage electrical componentry.
  • Ensure both the brush and amp connections are securely pushed in and tightened to eliminate the potential of burning out your connections.

For the cleanest welds around…

For optimum performance use plenty of cleaning fluid. The fluid is an acid which acts as a conductor and catalyst for the electrical current to pass through the brush to the weld. Using plenty of fluid on the brush ensures maximum efficiency. If the brush gets too dry it'll burn the brush instead of cleaning the weld - so save time and money by using lots of fluid.

Other things to remember are:

  • Use just the tip of the brushes - make sure the shroud is covering most of the bristles so that only the tip is showing. This is where the most effective cleaning point is and saves the brush from burning out so quickly.
  • Use plenty of neutralising fluid - as a rule of thumb you should use as much cleaner as neutraliser. This helps make clean-up easier.
  • Your Cougartron has a lot of capacity. Find the ‘minimum optimum’ power setting for the welds you’re cleaning. Running your Cougartron on max amps may look impressive, but will probably be consuming your brushes faster without any benefit in cleaning speed.
  • If you own a Cougartron ProPlus or Inox-Muscle don’t forget the polishing feature. This brings the Chrome ions to the surface for a much brighter finish. If you’re working with polished stainless it can eliminate any further work to ‘finish’ the weld.

Put your things away when you're not using them

As one of my first bosses used to say 'clean as you go guys'. It may sound obvious, but here's why it's important to put your Cougartron away after use:

  • Make sure you always wash out your cleaning fluid dipping container if it is going back into your Cougartron carry case, If cleaning fluid spills over the Cougartron machine over time it could fault, or stop working.
  • If it's still plugged in around other machines you risk a high-voltage spike coming into the machine from either the work handle or the clamp, which can then fry the inside. This is most likely caused by the clamp being left connected to the work table where another engineer is welding.
  • The machine can be exposed to various other contaminants and processes that can lead to damage.
  • It's a safety hazard to the machine as well as people in the workshop if left somewhere where it could get in the way or be tripped over.
  • Clean your Cougartron after you’ve finished. If you’ve splashed cleaning fluid on the machine make sure you clean up as it will leave a sticky residue when it dries.
  • The brushes, shroud and wand all need cleaning too! A good clean with neutraliser and water will prevent the build up of spent acid.
  • Same goes for any fluid spills – the cleaning fluid is only a mild acid but health & safety best practice is to clean it up immediately as it could react with other substances in the workplace.