feeder compatibilty & capabilities ranger 250

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first post so i'll start by saying hey to all the metal melters i signed up cause this site looked like it had quite a few technical people who might be able to answer a question or two . i have a new ranger 250 i am trying to set it up for alum spool gun & steel mig i need to buy a feeder ...& i've seen better deals on the suitcases ... are all makes of feeders interchangeable ???  can i run a miller suitcase off this ranger powersource .. is the ln-25 capable of running my lincoln python push-pull gun ??? our local classifieds have alot of ln-25's that do not have the gas solenoid installed in them -- is this an expensive or difficult upgrade i will most likely be burning outside so Fluxcore is an option but if it is capable of running the push pull -- i would rather buy an all around unit than a separate feeder & spool gun & control module .. you know well that's what going on in my world ... any input thanks
Reply:BUMP -- am i asking in the wrong forum  Originally Posted by dustynogginfirst post so i'll start by saying hey to all the metal melters i signed up cause this site looked like it had quite a few technical people who might be able to answer a question or two . i have a new ranger 250 i am trying to set it up for alum spool gun & steel mig i need to buy a feeder ...& i've seen better deals on the suitcases ... are all makes of feeders interchangeable ???  can i run a miller suitcase off this ranger powersource .. is the ln-25 capable of running my lincoln python push-pull gun ??? our local classifieds have alot of ln-25's that do not have the gas solenoid installed in them -- is this an expensive or difficult upgrade i will most likely be burning outside so Fluxcore is an option but if it is capable of running the push pull -- i would rather buy an all around unit than a separate feeder & spool gun & control module .. you know well that's what going on in my world ... any input thanks
Reply:Wow, you have listed a lot of options. In general, all arc voltage feeders are interchangeable. I believe the solenoid will require a separate board, so not an easy fix. We very seldom see an LN 25 that has a contactor if it lacks a solenoid and you would probably want that. No, the Python will not work on the LN 25 - separate beast. On the other hand, if you have a Python, do you really want to fool with a spool gun? What you need to go with the Python is a push half of the push pull system - you have the pull half. That is not hard to find.      Back to the arc voltage feeder - you can buy these with options - contactor and solenoid - starting about 500 with a warranty if that is the way you want to go. Your LN 25, assuming it has neither, still is valuable. Your Ranger 250 will run any of the feeders just fine.   weldersales
Reply:thanks for the help..  let me be more specific what i already have -- licoln mp350 -- python gun -- regular steel gun -- ranger 250 what i would like to do if possible & not alot of money is to put the ranger250 in the service truck & am hoping there is an easy & cheap way to run my plython gun w/ alum. wire off of it through a portable suitcase or feeder of some sort  or is the cheapest way out gonna be the spool gun & control module thanks a millionLast edited by dustynoggin; 11-24-2007 at 01:07 AM.
Reply:If you are looking to utilize the Python Push/Pull gun, I think you are pretty much locked in to using a Lincoln wire feeder.  I am assuming that you are looking to use the python for Aluminum???  What I have done in the past that has worked well for me, is to use a Lincoln LN-25 and a short 10 foot whip that has the teflon liner etc that is only used for Aluminum.  With the short length, the feeding issues are all but eliminated.  When another job comes up, I just disconnect & changeout the whip at the same time I changeout the spool of wire.As for your question about wire feeder interchangeability....As long as you are hooking up a voltage sensing unit to the power source by attaching to the welding lead only, you are good to go.  As soon as you get into control cable models (non-VS) with amphenol plugs etc, it will be a small wiring nightmare to changeover all the pins in the plugs to get the Ranger to recognize when you have pressed the trigger etc. It can be done, but it is a nuisance.  Same with changing out receiver bushings in the feeder or back of Python to get it to work....You have now lost the interchangeability between the 4 pieces. ie PowerMig 350, Wire feeder, Standard GMAW gun, and Push/Pull gun.  You will get tired of switching parts real quick.Hope it helps.Later,Jason
Reply:I have a ranger 250 and LN-25.  They are a perfect set.  I can run bare wire or innershield.  My LN-25 has the gas solenoid.  I got tired of changing wire too, so now I have 2 of them.  For road jobs, simple is better.  Sometimes stick is just easier than getting out all the stuff. The ranger 250 is an awesome machine.  It has adjustable inductance which helps a lot with MIG.  I can use pure Co2 with the inductance on +10 and get the nicest vertical up with .045 (or any other size) wire.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by Black WolfWhat I have done in the past that has worked well for me, is to use a Lincoln LN-25 and a short 10 foot whip that has the teflon liner etc that is only used for Aluminum.  With the short length, the feeding issues are all but eliminated.  When another job comes up, I just disconnect & changeout the whip at the same time I changeout the spool of wire..