welders welders welders

[blue9249]

ok guys just wanted to let you know i am having internet problems (server reset error codes every 5 minutes) was kinda surprised when i logged in quick to post this that the thread is at 6 pages, i just want to let you guys know that i am here and when i get this internet issued resolved i will have some time to answer some questions. i figure it will be a little while to fix this issue as it only triggers on some sites and is intermittent so i am having a hard time back logging to try and find the source of the problem

 

[sd455dan]

Jim, the Maxtron will run on single OR 3 phase. (100% duty cycle @450 amps on 3 phase. )

View attachment 456437

Terry

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Wow the Maxtrons have some impressive power and duty cycle ratings,- Jim got a great deal on that model machine.
From what i gather the Maxtron is an early generation inverter?

This brings up something that seems to be inherently different between transformer and inverter welders

Duty cycles of many of the new inverter welders including my inexpensive chinese made Lotos appear to be rated at 60% and also 100% dc.

But most new (consumer/homeowner) transformer based welders are generally rated at less than half those duty cycles.


Thoughts?


I do think inverters are the future of welders, but do like the old transformer machines imo they are much less complicated to fix when something does go wrong and that isn't often. :stirthepot:

 

[Shield Arc]

I do think inverters are the future of welders, but do like the old transformer machines imo they are much less complicated to fix when something does go wrong and that isn't often. :stirthepot:

Does make you wonder how long these inverter welders will last.
I have a 1937 Lincoln that is still going strong.:thumbsup:

 

[Sodo]

They only have to last long enough to satisfy the customer. And they may well do that because customers can afford bigger machines than they need, never stressing it.

It could be just "rating number inflation". When customers become focused on a number that nobody has a real need for, it becomes a race. Marketers start to escalate that number, each year it gets bigger. Like lawnmower horsepower, they used to be 3.5HP, and then went to 4. WOW. Now they're all 6.5 hp. Really? What changed? Is this 6.5HP a "governed HP" or "overspeed HP"? Who's checking? Last year they bumped the number and sold more mowers, now all mfrs have to pony up and bump their numbers too.

A chinese mfr (or American marketer) can claim 60% because their buyer will never outweld 20% anyway. Nobody really NEEDS to outweld 20% (except for sport) so customers will never know. Only an aggressive production shop could know such things and they don't buy discount machines, nor care.

All these "excesses" must happen on a job, and they don't match a consumer workflow.

- The job requires machine set at MAX output
- All cutting and fitting was done in advance (it's just weld, weld, weld, for hours, nothing else).
- Timeline doesn't allow stop-time, re-position for next weld as fast as possible.
- Weldor is "physically capable" of weld weld weld
- Someone is cracking the whip

If the above conditions are often, additional money spent for duty cycle may be recouped.

IMHO, YMMV. Here's my entire duty cycle knowledge (re-re-re-stated). Never in 25 years have my Miller or Hobart MIGs shut down.
My Miller is rated 20% (=2 minutes welding in 10, then cooldown) and I welded 25 minutes straight once as a test. MultiMatic200 is rated for 3/8" steel and was welding 3/16" (wasn't running at MAX) did not shut down period. I suspect it's around 40% (4 minutes welding in 10, then cooldown) at that setting.

Dan you asked for "thoughts".:thumbsup:

My thoughts are that bigger Duty-cycle numbers produce higher profits, same as HP on mowers.

 

[Big Barn]

Shield Arc: Your welder's baby brother came along a little later, but still hummin'....



NB. Overspray on wheels have since been removed.

Terry

 

[Jim Timber]

My thoughts are that bigger Duty-cycle numbers produce higher profits, same as HP on mowers.

I hit the thermal limit on my MM130XP more than once too. But back then I was a noobie hack.

 

[Sodo]

Good thing those days are gone huh? There could be benefits to being a noobie again though.

 

[Jim Timber]

There could be benefits to being a noobie again though.

Like what?

 

[Sodo]

Ask Terry :laughing:

 

[flyerdan]

It's just a guess, but I would speculate that the inverter machines might have a higher duty cycle because the transformer machines have far more mass, and it takes longer to cool down. Just like a cast iron skillet will hold heat longer than an aluminum pie pan.