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Re: Mig Welders which one?
[Re: flatiron]
#560320
12/23/09 03:10 PM
12/23/09 03:10 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,822
Kirkland, Washington
Pacnorthcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,822
Kirkland, Washington
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Quote:
Quote:
I have a Century and use it quite often. It has never failed me. When I bought it 15 years ago the salesman (who I trust) of a large welding supply company said it was better because it has copper windings instead of aluminum. The duty time is a lot longer than the others at the time. Compare the duty cycle of each you are looking at, I know things have changed over the years since I bought mine. The good thing about aluminum windings it's lighter, mine is heavy.
Could someone explain Duty cycle and what it means 
Duty cycle is the time that the unit can work vs. the time it needs to rest. A 20% duty cycle means that if its worked for two minutes continuous (meaning striking an arc) it should then rest (in cool down mode) for 8 before being cycled again. Of course there are thermal protection devices to shut it down if the operator overheats it, but it not good practice to do so.
So a 30% duty cycle is more robust than a 20
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Re: Mig Welders which one?
[Re: whitemtnelf]
#560321
12/23/09 03:18 PM
12/23/09 03:18 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,822
Kirkland, Washington
Pacnorthcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,822
Kirkland, Washington
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Quote:
The reason that 220v welders are cheaper to run:
A welder is basically a step down converter. This means that it takes a high voltage (110/220v) and low amperage (15A-50A) and converts it to low voltage (17v-45v) and high amperage(190A-590A).
The power company charges us by the amount of kilowatts of electricity (1000 watts) that we use.
If I'm welding using 110 Amps I'd be using 1 watt of power (110A/110v = 1w). However if I'm using a 220v welder then the equation changes to 110A/220v = 0.5w
That's why 220v welders are cheaper to run.
Your calculator is broken. Lets say you need 100amps at 30VDC. Thats 3000W. From 110VAC transformer, with no loss, that would be consuming 27 amps (again 3000W).
From 220VAC it would consume 13.5 amps (again 3000W)
A watt is a watt. And watts = volts x amps. Now a 220V welder may have less heat loss than a 110, but its not due to the math you describe.
220V machines are FAR more capable in terms of total output and are disreable for the work they can do, not for economy of power consumption.
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Re: Mig Welders which one?
[Re: Pacnorthcuda]
#560322
12/23/09 03:31 PM
12/23/09 03:31 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221
Branson, Mo.
joedust451
super gas
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super gas
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221
Branson, Mo.
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Like said earlier, don't just settle on a gasless unit, flux alone will burn through sheet metal (from what i was told) even at low settings, its just too hot, i found out the hard way, the price of the bottles will kick your azz, but its worth it in the end, now i don't know about just being able to do body panels & exhaust with a 110, i don't believe that, mine is rated for up to 1/4" steel max, most SFCs & roll bars aren't that thick. I welded up a piece of 1/8" pipe just playing around & it did great.
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Re: Mig Welders which one?
[Re: joedust451]
#560324
12/23/09 03:50 PM
12/23/09 03:50 PM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,319
Chicago Burbs
sthemi
master
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master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,319
Chicago Burbs
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I will add that the duty cycle only will affect your work if you are welding near full capacity. Sheet metal needs short bursts or short welds at very low settings. Welding structure like angle iron, will require longer welds at higher setting, and may get into the duty cycle. I have a older Lincoln 100 (110v) with gas and have welded up to 3/16 mild steel, with multiple passes and yes, I did find the duty cycle and thermo protection limits.. 98% of my weling is outer panels of rusty Mopars or brackets etc.. 
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Re: Mig Welders which one?
[Re: sthemi]
#560326
12/23/09 03:54 PM
12/23/09 03:54 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,822
Kirkland, Washington
Pacnorthcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,822
Kirkland, Washington
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Quote:
I will add that the duty cycle only will affect your work if you are welding near full capacity. Sheet metal needs short bursts or short welds at very low settings.
Welding structure like angle iron, will require longer welds at higher setting, and may get into the duty cycle.
I have a older Lincoln 100 (110v) with gas and have welded up to 3/16 mild steel, with multiple passes and yes, I did find the duty cycle and thermo protection limits..
98% of my weling is outer panels of rusty Mopars or brackets etc..
 I agree--duty cycle really means nothing to me in terms of a welder. Now an air compressor is a totally different animal!!! I want 100% duty cycle (oiled unit) for that.
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Re: Mig Welders which one?
[Re: sthemi]
#560327
12/23/09 06:00 PM
12/23/09 06:00 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221
Branson, Mo.
joedust451
super gas
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super gas
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221
Branson, Mo.
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Quote:
I will add that the duty cycle only will affect your work if you are welding near full capacity. Sheet metal needs short bursts or short welds at very low settings.
Welding structure like angle iron, will require longer welds at higher setting, and may get into the duty cycle.
I have a older Lincoln 100 (110v) with gas and have welded up to 3/16 mild steel, with multiple passes and yes, I did find the duty cycle and thermo protection limits..
98% of my weling is outer panels of rusty Mopars or brackets etc..
also
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