Lincoln Idaealarc 250/250

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Looking at a Lincoln Idealarc 250/250 AC/DC, a 1977 eally clean model, my question is should I pay more and get a model with power factory capacitors ?Is it really worth it, do the CAPS only stabilize the in DC or in AC as well ?Do the CAPS matter on the low range or in the high range ?Thanks
Reply:We beat this around a few months back. I think the consensus was that if you welded in the high amps hours upon hours like a factory setting, the caps were beneficial. And it possibly allowed the machine to be run at higher amps welding on a lower amp power service. Jump on the Idealarc regardless if the price is right.
Reply:Caps are not required for home shop use. Grab the machine if it's a good deal. It's an excellent welder and will out live you.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:I had a 250/250 Lincoln Idealarc. It was a great welder. I wish that I still had it. I didn't have the Add-on Power Correction Unit so I don't know what difference it made. It welded very nicely without it. I'd grab it. In fact, if I ever see another clean one like I had, I'm getting it.Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:Power Factor Correction Caps, are on the input lines, or primary side of the transformer.  You wouldn't be able to tell the difference while welding with/without the caps.PFC basically realign the current and voltage wave forms, that is shifted out of phase by the big inductor in your machine, the transformer.  The garage guy may never know the difference, unless you had a few running.There is a separate "circuit stabilization capacitor" on the secondary side, but is unrelated to PFC. I believe all Idealarc 250-250's have this capacitor, maybe others as well.I wouldn't get wrapped around the axle looking for a machine with PFC, if it has it great(maybe), if not, oh well.  How much are they asking for the machine?  It has been my experience that if it is a decent machine, for a reasonable price, it probably wont last long.  I've been looking for about 3 months  before I finally got one, that was decent, for a reasonable price, that was somewhat local.  It seems used welders are in pretty high demand, and if you find something you want, don't think about it too long, it will be gone.Look at the popularity of this machine(very), the number of years in production basically unchanged (over 50 years?) and the qty produced (a lot), and the number of them that come up for sale(relatively few?).  There are  threads in the Lincoln and the Miller forum regarding PFC caps, that are very recent.Last edited by Teggy1; 04-20-2014 at 10:37 PM.
Reply:The most noticeable benefit of PF caps is the decrease of input current at rated load by up to 30%. If the machine you are looking at doesn't have these caps, don't let it prevent you from getting it, if the deal is good, go for it, you can add these caps later.
Reply:Thanks for all the info, it is from a high school, it is pristine, with the leads and factory cart, asking $750http://twinfalls.craigslist.org/tls/4429531915.html
Reply:That's a lot of money for it, but it is a fantastic welder.  So smooth.  It is exceptionally clean.  I bought mine for $150 with 100' of 2-0 welding leads.  They usually go for $300-500 by me depending on the condition, but a lot of the pricing is geographic with welders.  I'm in a low cost area.It's pretty, but I think that price is out of line.  Offer them $500.
Reply:I got a 1971 in nice condition (repainted) with the cart and 100 foot 1/0 leads for $350."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 freckuThanks for all the info, it is from a high school, it is pristine, with the leads and factory cart, asking $750http://twinfalls.craigslist.org/tls/4429531915.html
Reply:Wow, that must have been what they looked like when they were new.I would probably keep looking for an ugly one though...
Reply:Ouch at $750.  Great machine but I couldn't pay that for one.  I would have to be under the influence of something to pay more than $500.  And that's really under the influence.
Reply:I don't like the price either, I will offer a max of $500 and see how motivated he is, beats driving 1000 miles to CA, and I priced shipping for such an unit on pallet, 500-600
Reply:These machines are over $2000 new. Lincoln still sells them today. An average used one go for around $500. It's your money. It would take more than $500 for me to part with mine. Considering a new 225/125 ac/dc buzzer is $500 new, your getting a serious upgrade.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Not only is it high, it sounds fishy unless it's a private high school.    All equip I've ever seen from a public school or college goes to auction or bids are taken
Reply:Fabulous machine, but not at that price. Keep looking. Even here in the remote wastelands (Mt) they show up on CL regularly, and for a lot less money.  Probably worth inquiring, tell them its a nice machine and you are definitely interested, then ask if there was a "misprint" on the asking price. Have a few comparable listings printed out to show them, maybe they'll be reasonable. Paid $200 for this one:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...71#post3667571ps - CL searchs, sometimes better to use less information. You'll have to sift through a lot more responses, but better chance of scoring big. I was just typing in "lincoln welder", no model, no further details. And thats what came up. No details, just a picture and a price. Lady was helping her husband clean out the garage and posting things on CL for him. I dialed quickly.Last edited by FORTEALLOY; 04-22-2014 at 03:49 PM.Reason: added psHobbyist - At what point is a "hobby" out-of-control?
Reply:I REALLY miss mine, an early 80's in nice shape.  But I sold it for $400.  For $750 the guy outta give you a couple free hits off his crack pipe.Keep looking, they come up for much more reasonable prices.