These thinhgs I have..this project I have..."Advice" I need!

[muddstopper]

My voltage checks at 127v with a meter. I am close to the power substation. I run 1/8 7018 at 100amp setting on the welder. I can get serious undercut at that amperage. Now I had this discussion in another thread and according to all the so called experts, input voltage doesnt effect inverter based machines. I am not convinced, but dont know how to prove or disprove. I just adjust until bacon frying and let er rip.

 

[arrow]

I just adjust until bacon frying and let er rip.

I think RR1 is certainly also correct. I believe most of the welders in question in this thread are inverters and we still seem all over the place as far as "inputs". The more reliable method is what both you and SA state as far as using your "senses" to gage the proper arc eg. sight, the bacon thing or "hearing" and for me there is one more assurance and that is when I start to drool over the sound of "bacon frying". I then know the "arc" is perfect.

 

[rankrank1]

Inverter or transformer will not matter. It still a voltage converter at root level even though each type accomplishes it via a different method. Changing the input will change the output period. I will say that the difference might be slightly less noticeable to a hack like me on an inverter compared to a transformer simply because there are often other things that may help mask it like Hot start feature and arc force feature which are typically not available on old run of the mill transformers. In other words, the hot start and arc force can hide the slight difference and an inexperienced person would not notice. I suspect a trained experienced welder would certainly notice it though.

Regardless, it does not matter as that is what adjustment dials are for. Tune it where it needs to be.

 

[Arc weld]

Most machines have 10% line voltage compensation. A lot of inverters also automatically adjust to input voltage whether it's single or 3 phase power. Never go by what the dial says. Even on critical welds there will be a variance in the weld procedure to allow for individual welders current settings. What is getting more common though is shops having to have their welding machines calibrated so the settings on the machine are close when following a weld procedure.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Having been a Quality Control manager for over 20 years, I have heard "calibrated welding machines" for many years when in fact you cant calibrate a welding machine. The dial is what it is, just like on an inverter where amps and volts are displayed, you cant change anything. All you can do is check the voltage and amperage against a calibrated amp/volt meter when the welder is welding to verify that the current is set correctly as per the welding procedure specifications. There is no way to quote "calibrate a welding machine" due to various fluctuations caused by current input, arc length etc.
I always preferred to let the welder set his machine to what he feels is the correct setting as long as it is within the WPS parameters which I might have an inspector randomly check but usually checked only when some indications visually exist that indicate low or high amperages are being used.

 

[CNC Dan]

All you can do is check the voltage and amperage against a calibrated amp/volt meter when the welder is welding to verify that the current is set correctly as per the welding procedure specifications. There is no way to quote "calibrate a welding machine" due to various fluctuations caused by current input, arc length etc.

I think that's what they mean when they refer to calabration of a welder.

When I got a small inveter, it didn't weld like my other inveter, as I expected it would. I checked with a clamp on meter, and the current was within 5 amps of what it was set for. That was better than expected.

But like you, I don't expect to be able set the dial, and go. But it does help to start close to where I want to be. In the end, what does it realy matter? If it's too cold, you turn it up. If it's too hot, you turn it down.

If you can't tell if it's too hot or too cold, and you need a number to go by, you are doomed to fail.

 

[dstig1]

Having been a Quality Control manager for over 20 years, I have heard "calibrated welding machines" for many years when in fact you cant calibrate a welding machine. The dial is what it is, just like on an inverter where amps and volts are displayed, you cant change anything. All you can do is check the voltage and amperage against a calibrated amp/volt meter when the welder is welding to verify that the current is set correctly as per the welding procedure specifications. There is no way to quote "calibrate a welding machine" due to various fluctuations caused by current input, arc length etc.
I always preferred to let the welder set his machine to what he feels is the correct setting as long as it is within the WPS parameters which I might have an inspector randomly check but usually checked only when some indications visually exist that indicate low or high amperages are being used.

That would be the definition of calibrating (anything). Now if you can't re-zero the offending welder, then it is not as nice, but you can put a sticker on it with the compensation factors needed (at 100A setting, actual is 105 or whatever).