ZENA welding system.

[Shield Arc]

I've been helping a guy make a career change from a Mig weldor, (body & fender) to a structural / pipe weldor. He asked my opinion on these welders, but I've never seen one, does anyone here have any experience with these?

Portable / Mobile DC Welding Equipment Designed for Use in Remote Locations

 

[grizzlydave]

I've had a premier power welder for about 5 years , seems to be the same concept , alternator driven system . No complaints with mine , saved my butt more times than i care to mention :laughing:

 

[Combustix]

I thought zena was the warrior princess? Lol

 

[Gary Fowler]

The alternator driven systems have been around for several decades. This one looks like a complete system and good idea. Depending on the price, it might be ok for emergencies or even field repair welder work but I think that I would prefer a miller bobcat in the back of my truck rather than wearing out my engine doing a lot of welding with it.
I doubt it would be fuel efficient running your truck motor at high rpm to produce the power compared to a properly sized engine but I could be wrong on that. Automobile engine may be more fuel efficient than small carb engines.

 

[deereman75]

What about just getting an old lincoln SA-200. Might be better then that thing. The zena looks more suited to mechanic rigs.

 

[cowski]

if you are using it to make a living,you will be running it a lot.i would rather be wearing out a $3000 gas welder than a $50000 truck.

 

[grizzlydave]

yOU CAN RIG IT UP TO A SMALL GAS MOTOR OR EVEN A BELT DRIVEN AIR COMPRESSOR , NEVER DONE IT BUT SHOULDNT BE THAT HARD !

 

[Shield Arc]

Well he's been eye balling my SA-200s:laughing:. He plans on hitting the oil patch in North & South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah soon as he passes his 6-G certification, with SMAW, and Tig.
He bought that Home Study Kit, the 100K welder. Anybody ever see this?
The 100k Welder Course Video - YouTube

 

[monckywrench]

He plans on hitting the oil patch in North & South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah soon as he passes his 6-G certification, with SMAW, and Tig.

You already know the proven answer to THAT question and it's older than any of us!

Set the man up with a solid Shield Arc 200, perhaps with a second alternator and large inverter for power tool use if he has anything that doesn't like DC, and school him in its care and feeding. :thumbsup:

It would be cruel to set anyone up with gear that's not proven and accepted on the line.

That old gray thing in your avatar would do fine. It ain't even got a cover over most of it! :laughing:

 

[Shield Arc]

The way I met this guy, he bought my old V350-Pro. I suggested he call Lincoln and ask them what size generator he'd need to run the V350-Pro. As of right now he can't tell what line of welding he is going for. I finely convinced him that doing aluminum Tig with the V350-Pro was going to be quite the challenge. No remote, and DC only.
Yesterday I cut, and beveled 42 6-inch sch 40 pipe coupons for him to practice his 6-G with. That should keep him busy for a day or two. :laughing: