I have a Bossweld TIG 208 AC/DC that I was given because it was said to be faulty. I have used it a bit for stick welding as I didn't have a TIG torch. It did have a weird issue there where it would weld fine and then there would be no output for a couple of minutes.

Anyway, I bought a TIG torch and connected it up. I don't have argon so I thought I’d just see if I can hear the solenoid and HF. I only had the torch connected, no earth lead or gas. I pressed the trigger a few times and it seemed fine until it went bang and I saw stuff come flying out the side.

Upon opening it, there is a black mark on the case near the HV transformer. I assume the HV transformer is the fault.

Is there a likely reason this would happen?

I guess I could also use it in lift tig mode still.

The original HF transformer was labelled BSH-17A but I couldn't find one of those for sale. I ordered a BSH-17 instead, hoping it would be the same. Unfortunately it is not. It is larger but also internally it is different. Of course I'm measuring it against a possibly dead one but one of the four pins which are connected to the board has no connection to any of the others on the BSH-17.

I have also tried to work out if there are any other brands who used the same welder design from China. So far I haven't found anything. The boards all have a little planet symbol on them. The part numbers don't come up with anything.

Of course the fuse holder on the back panel has no wires going to it

I have also tried to work out if there are any other brands who used the same welder design from China. So far I haven't found anything. The boards all have a little planet symbol on them. The part numbers don't come up with anything.

Of course the fuse holder on the back panel has no wires going to it

That was my first thought from when I was also looking to find a HF board I went to Ali Express as an example, there are lots of variations, with similar components, unfortunately I am unable to offer any help, good luck though, there must be something out there which will fit, its just trying to find it.

AI came up with this information
Finding Replacements
If your BSH-17A transformer burns out or shorts its windings, it is usually replaced as a complete drop-in module. [1]

• Compatibility: It is often grouped and swapped with similar models like the FBT-02, FBT-08-01, or BSH8-N505.