Stick Duty Cycle

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 09:35:53 GMT

go to see Welding Machine for Stick Duty Cycle

I have a Stickmate LX 235 AC / 160 DC Stick Welder (same duty cycle as Miller Thunderbolt), it has been OK, but the duty cycle is not very good.  For DC: 150 A at 20% Duty Cycle, 60 Hz is what the machine is rated, running 1/8 7018 @ 120 A, I should get about 30% duty cycle.It’s hard to know if the machine is near it’s duty cycle until, electrodes start sticking and I let it cool down.  I wanted to see what was available that would give me a better duty cycle.Looking at some of the other stick machines from Miller, the Maxstar 150 S looks like 50% duty cycle at 125 A @ 230 VAC.  If I didn’t already have the Stickmate, I would probably go this route, but since I do it doesn’t seem to be enough increase in duty cycle to make the switch.The Dynasty 280 Series, which is a lot more money but would give me Tig capability, is rated for 100% at 160 A.  I have heard people say they don’t recommend running stick on these modes, as they have seen issues with the machine afterwards.  I would have to do more research to see if that is the case.Another option is an engine driven welder, either Bobcat or Trailblazer seem to have 100% duty cycle and would give me a generator to use around the farm also.Are there other options I should consider?Millermatic 252Lincoln 3200HDHobart Stickmate AC/DCHypertherm Powermax45
Reply:Buy an old Miller Dialarc 250 or a Lincoln Idealarc 250.  My old Dialarc is rated 250 Amps at 30%, 200A at 50%, 150A at 90%."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by hwatkinsI have a Stickmate LX 235 AC / 160 DC Stick Welder (same duty cycle as Miller Thunderbolt), it has been OK, but the duty cycle is not very good.  For DC: 150 A at 20% Duty Cycle, 60 Hz is what the machine is rated, running 1/8 7018 @ 120 A, I should get about 30% duty cycle.It’s hard to know if the machine is near it’s duty cycle until, electrodes start sticking and I let it cool down.  I wanted to see what was available that would give me a better duty cycle.Looking at some of the other stick machines from Miller, the Maxstar 150 S looks like 50% duty cycle at 125 A @ 230 VAC.  If I didn’t already have the Stickmate, I would probably go this route, but since I do it doesn’t seem to be enough increase in duty cycle to make the switch.The Dynasty 280 Series, which is a lot more money but would give me Tig capability, is rated for 100% at 160 A.  I have heard people say they don’t recommend running stick on these modes, as they have seen issues with the machine afterwards.  I would have to do more research to see if that is the case.Another option is an engine driven welder, either Bobcat or Trailblazer seem to have 100% duty cycle and would give me a generator to use around the farm also.Are there other options I should consider?
Reply:WNY_TomB, Thanks for the chart.  I assumed I was exceeding the duty cycle and the amps were dropping, so it started sticking.  It seems to be back fine if I let it cool for 10 mins, so that was the other reason.  Do I need to crank the amps up as the base metal heats up from the welding?  I would have thought the amp requirements would drop as the base metal heats up.I guess I could have a defective unit.Millermatic 252Lincoln 3200HDHobart Stickmate AC/DCHypertherm Powermax45
Reply:Originally Posted by hwatkinsWNY_TomB, Thanks for the chart.  I assumed I was exceeding the duty cycle and the amps were dropping, so it started sticking.  It seems to be back fine if I let it cool for 10 mins, so that was the other reason.  Do I need to crank the amps up as the base metal heats up from the welding?  I would have thought the amp requirements would drop as the base metal heats up.I guess I could have a defective unit.