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I've had a Century 130 since 2004. Got it from a weld shop for $100. Have had to replace the diodes and some other circuit board work in 2009, and am having to do it again right now. It says the output is 90A/105A. I run it at 105A and have a heavy 20A cord for it, and run it off my 30A 120V dedicated RV outlet (with 30A breaker). If I need an extension cord I use my 30A RV extension cord. Duty cycle is fine, I've rarely maxed out since most time is spent on setup and all.I don't have a garage or shed or place to store gas bottles so I only weld outside and use .030 flux core. I store the welder in the house. Last year I made some kitchen canisters from 14 ga 304SS using SS fluxcore wire and it turned out well but I could have used a little more heat. The Century welds 11 ga mild steel wonderfully when it is working well. For the most part I only weld auto body related things and 11 ga mild steel. Once in awhile I could use a little more heat and for 3/16 or 1/4 I just take it to work. I've thought about larger machines I don't see the need and we have them at work, and the guys say don't have enough control with it turned down to weld things like dryer skin and EMT conduit and things that I weld just fine with the Century.So I've been eyeing the Hobart and wonder if it would be worth the money? I assume the Hobart would be more reliable. I've seen discussion both ways and will it really give me any increased output over the Century (with my 30A RV outlet)? Anywhere near 140 amps? And on the Century, I have infinite adjustments for both feed and heat, and from photos of the Hobart it seems there might be only a few selections?If it's just a reliability thing from a better brand, then I'll probably just keep fixing the Century every few years or whatever. But if I will really get more output then I might just go for it. Pretty sure they're $450 at Tractor Supply right now. Or there's one locally asking $450, said used once and comes with a bunch of things including a cart and auto-darkening helmet. Or just keep looking too, no rush.
Reply:Originally Posted by tlc1976I've had a Century 130 since 2004. Got it from a weld shop for $100. Have had to replace the diodes and some other circuit board work in 2009, and am having to do it again right now. It says the output is 90A/105A. I run it at 105A and have a heavy 20A cord for it, and run it off my 30A 120V dedicated RV outlet (with 30A breaker). If I need an extension cord I use my 30A RV extension cord. Duty cycle is fine, I've rarely maxed out since most time is spent on setup and all.I don't have a garage or shed or place to store gas bottles so I only weld outside and use .030 flux core. I store the welder in the house. Last year I made some kitchen canisters from 14 ga 304SS using SS fluxcore wire and it turned out well but I could have used a little more heat. The Century welds 11 ga mild steel wonderfully when it is working well. For the most part I only weld auto body related things and 11 ga mild steel. Once in awhile I could use a little more heat and for 3/16 or 1/4 I just take it to work. I've thought about larger machines I don't see the need and we have them at work, and the guys say don't have enough control with it turned down to weld things like dryer skin and EMT conduit and things that I weld just fine with the Century.So I've been eyeing the Hobart and wonder if it would be worth the money? I assume the Hobart would be more reliable. I've seen discussion both ways and will it really give me any increased output over the Century (with my 30A RV outlet)? Anywhere near 140 amps? And on the Century, I have infinite adjustments for both feed and heat, and from photos of the Hobart it seems there might be only a few selections?If it's just a reliability thing from a better brand, then I'll probably just keep fixing the Century every few years or whatever. But if I will really get more output then I might just go for it. Pretty sure they're $450 at Tractor Supply right now. Or there's one locally asking $450, said used once and comes with a bunch of things including a cart and auto-darkening helmet. Or just keep looking too, no rush.
Reply:The hobart is an excellent machine.It will perform great on your 30 amp breaker to.Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Originally Posted by tlc1976 I've thought about larger machines I don't see the need and we have them at work, and the guys say don't have enough control with it turned down to weld things like dryer skin and EMT conduit and things that I weld just fine with the Century. .
Reply:Thanks for the tips. There's a chance I might be able to put up a small pole barn next year so whenever I upgrade I'd prefer one of the bigger machines that can be dialed down.For the optocoupler, any online electronics supply house like Newark, Digikey, Mouser... I got my diodes and optocouplers from Newark. Both times it was exactly the same fix needed. Optocoupler, diodes, and some circuit tracks. Inspect all the circuit tracks and solder joints, and reheat them all as needed. You also may have to repair a circuit track or two. |
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发表于 2021-8-31 22:14:05