plasma off a welder?

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anyone ever look into running a plasma torch off their welder? seems to me a power source is a power source. course i don't know much about them.Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:i wonten to do the same thing but were i live u cant find stuff to do nutin with i cant even find fitten to connect wire tooo on torch so hopefully sume that knows more than me will give us sume info..
Reply:I have a PM600 powered by a 302 trailblazer, anda rol-air compressor along with it; I've had no problems at all running the plasma cutter at full power cutting .750".
Reply:Miller's website even says that trailblazer/bobcats are perfect power sources for specified plasma cutters.When I get a cutter, I intend on running it off my TB 302.
Reply:I think he meant using just a plasma torch powered by a welder. Not running a plasma cutting unit from a gas drive. I think."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:indeed Stick-man my curiosity is about hooking a plasma torch up to a welder and supplying   air. anyone know off hand the power specs at the torch? miller is says theirs are anywhere from 90 to 140 vdc depending on the model with 12 to 55 amps power, but i wonder if there is anything else to the electrical aspect of the power supply to be concerned with?Last edited by turk; 02-12-2010 at 09:00 PM.Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:when i put a voltmeter on my 330 in dc it reads 91 volts.come to think about it though, i thought most welding was done down around 20 volts.Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:It's been discussed in depth and detail, several times.Try a search. Or maybe someone else recalls the threads.The short answer is no.Turk - Open circuit voltage drops when an arc is struck.Good Luck
Reply:i tried it couldnt get it to work.. oh whell got a big one on the wayi think i had the leads backwards dont no??
Reply:Hello turk, Powcon used to have a plasma cutting unit that could be plugged into and powered off of their welding power sources. It's been such a long time since I have seen or read anything about this that I can't remember the specifics, in other words, I don't know if it was specific to their particular welding machines or if it could be used on others. I would imagine a google search might lead to some answers on this. If I get a little time and if no one else has commented further, I'll try to give some specifics. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:I have two of the powcon units.  they work with any CC power source.  the operate just like an LN-25.   Just don't try and operate them from a tig power source they don't like that very much.   don't ask me how i know that. They work OK.  not the greatest.   NOTHING like the plasma's available today.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Depending on the plasma system.....air plasma torches typically require between 240 and 400 open circuit voltage, and between 65 and 175 load voltage. Welding power sources typically do not have the open circuit voltage that is capable of getting the arc initialized......and also typically do not have the correct voltage/amperage curve to sustain a plasma arc once the arc is started. There is some other circuitry requires as well that works to keep the arc stable during the initial inrush surge of current to the torch. Some torches also require a high frequency start circuit to ionize the air in the torch, while others operate by breaking a short circuit between the nozzle and the electrode in the torch to create an ionizing spark. In order to achieve good consumable life....speciial current up ramps and down ramps are required as well......without current ramping consumable life would be extremely short.Jim Colt