Found some 7024 to play with

[ericher69]

A transformer welder is like a carburetor, an Inverter is more like a high pressure common rail.
I don't know what would need to be done to fix a transformer machine, but the inverters is easy the parts can be found almost anywhere for a few bucks.

Using your analogy;

A transformer should be easy to work on with common tools with many parts available

An inverter would require complex electronic equipment and a need to purchase direct from manufacturer...

 

[deereman75]

Except when the transformer blows, it isn't possible to fix it, and a replacement would cost more than a new machine.... The only parts you can really replace are the diodes, and depending on the machine, possibly the current control.
Machine like a carburetor, you can replace one or two small parts cheap and easy, but the main (and most important) part is not fixable or replaceable.
Where as for an inverter, all the parts can be easily replaced. I could find 99% of the parts in my welder in an afternoon..... It's just a matter of finding the blown part, remove it, and solder in a replacement.
Much like an injector system, all the parts can be easily replaced, economically....

Just because something is simpler, doesn't mean you could fix everything as easily......

Although an inverter is more likely to die, virtually anything that blows can be easily fixed, even if the manufacturer is long gone. A transformer is less likely to go, but most failures are the end of the machine.....

 

[ericher69]

Except when the transformer blows, it isn't possible to fix it, and a replacement would cost more than a new machine.... The only parts you can really replace are the diodes, and depending on the machine, possibly the current control.
Machine like a carburetor, you can replace one or two small parts cheap and easy, but the main (and most important) part is not fixable or replaceable.
Where as for an inverter, all the parts can be easily replaced. I could find 99% of the parts in my welder in an afternoon..... It's just a matter of finding the blown part, remove it, and solder in a replacement.
Much like an injector system, all the parts can be easily replaced, economically....

Just because something is simpler, doesn't mean you could fix everything as easily......

Although an inverter is more likely to die, virtually anything that blows can be easily fixed, even if the manufacturer is long gone. A transformer is less likely to go, but most failures are the end of the machine.....

DeerMan;

If you would allow the following questions (don't want to hijack but definitively off track)

I have nothing against inverters or transformers...

How likely is a transformer to fail??

Anyone out there have one fail?

Same question for inverter owners?

 

[deereman75]

I have seen a few transformers that have failed, and have heard of a few more.
No doubt, 9 times out of 10, a transformer will outlast an inverter by a long way. There is a good chance a transformer will never die.
All I am saying is that if something does go wrong, it would often be cheaper to fix the inverter.

 

[Shield Arc]

I've had the generator on engine drives fail before. Must be somewhat common, the company I worked for had quite a few hydraulic power packs made out of Miller Welders. The engines, all diesels had the generator removed and a hydraulic pump mounted to the engine, with a large hydraulic oil tank.

 

[RoMad]

Forgive me if i return to the original topic of this thread as I just noticed it. Around 1976 and 1977 I worked for a company that built large steel storage tanks. They were used to hold water, grain, jet fuel, you name it. I was a welder then and we were paid by the foot for our welding. Different thickness steel and different welds all had their own rate. The tank bottoms were usually 1/4" thick plate and they were lapped over each other for welding. We used to lay on mechanics creepers and weld the bottom seams with 1/4" 7024. We called them jet rods and they were longer than regular rods. We ran them as hot as we could and still keep the weld flat and we would just drag them. The reason for the creeper was so you could move yourself as you made the weld. You could make a really long weld with them and make pretty good money too.
This was way before auto lenses in hoods so when you were getting near the end of a rod you would get the next one out with your left hand, slide your thumb up until you felt the end with no flux and when you finished the one you were welding with you would put the next one in the stinger without raising your hood, strike it and keep welding. We never worked over 40 hours a week, but 60 hours pay was pretty common if you really humped it.

 

[DXN1EL]

Old people use to say that a car without power steering was better because you could "feel" the road.

There is no way a carb engine beat a Common rail. well.. it might get the same power as common rail, but what about fuel efficiency??
yea... if you get crap in the fuel the carburetor need to be clean. wish I could say the same about the common rail that injects at over 36,000 PSI.

 

[DXN1EL]

Old people use to say that a car without power steering was better because you could "feel" the road.

There is no way a carb engine beat a Common rail. well.. it might get the same power as common rail, but what about fuel efficiency??
yea... if you get crap in the fuel the carburetor need to be clean. wish I could say the same about the common rail that injects at over 36,000 PSI.

 

[CNC Dan]

common rail that injects at over 36,000 PSI.

What now? I thought gas engine injection was 50 to 75 psi.

 

[DXN1EL]

What now? I thought gas engine injection was 50 to 75 psi.

Common rail - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia