Spool gun on a Ranger 8?

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Hi all!  I am new here and have been beating my head against the wall trying to figure out the many questions that go with trying to add a spool gun to my Ranger 8.  I have a mobile equipment repair business and do some welding.  The Magnum SG with a K488 module is what Lincoln recommends, but the gun will be hot at all times if you wire it up the way they want.  My dealer does'nt believe this since the module comes with a contactor and gas valve, but the diagram Lincoln e-mailed states that the gun is hot at all times.  Are there any other options or guns available that I am overlooking.  I will be using it for horse trailers and such.  Does anyone make there living with the ReadyWelder or should this be left for the hobbiest?  I won't be using the spool gun all day everyday, but would like professional quality if I do get a large job for it.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Reply:I haven't used your specific setup, but if it has a contactor then I would not think that it is constantly hot.  The purpose of the contactor is  take care of that very issue.  I will thro in that I have run a miller gun off of my bobcat, and it was hot at all times.  Honestly I never had any trouble.  Also  I will mention that HTP makes a spool gun that will hook to any engine driven welder with a CV setting.  I have seen one on a job site once, and it appeared to be well built.  It also had a contactor so it was only hot when the trigger was pulled.  I haven't used there products before, but I have heard nothing but great things from anyone who does own there equipment.  I am seriously considering their spool gun to hook to a bobcat on one of my welding trailers.  The price is also a good bit less than anything Lincoln, or miller offers for an equivilent setup.   It might be worth looking into.  Good luck, and let us know what you decide on.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I have the magnum spool SG gun and K488 control box.  I don't think there is a contactor in the box, but it WILL run the spool gun with the electrode hot all the time.  The K488 I have needs 110 input from an outside source (ranger 8) and will run the spoolgun on most anything CV.  On my V350 or Ranger 250, the K488 box uses the internal "contactor" in the welder.  So when it is hooked up to either one of those with the 14 pin connector, the electrode of the spool gun is not hot.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Is it possible there is more than one flavor of K488?  I know on the Miller WC115A controller, you can get it with or without the contactor.   The model with contactor is made to connect to a Bobcat, or other CV machine lacking a contactor or 14-pin connector.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I knew I came to the right place!  HTP and Miller both make a couple things that are better options than what Lincoln has to offer.  HTP even answered thier phone on Sunday.  I think it is a SGA250-C which is the gun (identical to the Magnum SG) with a control box with gas valve and contactor for $850!  Millers options are a little more expensive, but will defanitely do the job.  Plus I would be able to look at them before I buy.  Though HTP offers a 30 day money back guarantee, no questions asked.  Thanks for all your help.
Reply:I paid $475 for the K488 box and another 2 or 3 hunert bucks for the stinkin cable.  It works on anything CV though.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Well all you need is a WC-24, Miller 15 or 30A and an a universal adaptor kit for us for $250. This allows you to run the Miller spool gun on any welder or feeder.  It was originally designed for a Lincoln Ranger/Vantage, but then we found that it would fit any power source or feeder.
Reply:Originally Posted by CruizerWell all you need is a WC-24, Miller 15 or 30A and an a universal adaptor kit for us for $250. This allows you to run the Miller spool gun on any welder or feeder.  It was originally designed for a Lincoln Ranger/Vantage, but then we found that it would fit any power source or feeder.
Reply:Well, your wire would be hot all the time, so when your done pull back out of the weld, no biggy. Still run a spoolgun with a bobcat. If you want the contactor control just get a WC115.
Reply:Yep, I'm going with the HTP RSG250-C for $850.  Thanks Hammack-Welding for having me check on that.  It's in my budget, has a contactor, 25' cords, 250 amps @ 60% duty cycle, wire speed control in the handle, and it's sexy!  The only thing Miller had that was in my budget was the SGA100-C with a Spoolmate 3545, 20' cords, 200 amps @ 60% duty cycle, and no wire speed control at the gun for $1050 at my local shop or $829 from some fella selling them new on ebay.  The WC-115 with 30A spoolgun looks like a fantastic option with alot of control and I appreciate the input, but it's way out of my budget.  Around $2000 for the set up.  I'm really enjoying this forum and glad I joined.  Thanks to all for your advice.