Duty Cycle - Automatic Fan

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I have a few questions related to Duty Cycle. I found a few threads on duty cycle, but this seemed like it could use it's own.1. My machine (Diversion 180) has an automatic fan on it. If it isn't running in between beads, is it safe to assume that I will never exceed the duty cycle?2. Is there some kind of protection built in such that it will shut off before it fries if I do exceed duty cycle? I couldn't find anything in the doc, but can't believe there isn't something!3. Do you really time your work, or are there other tricks that you use?Thanks
Reply:It's never safe to "assume" anything.... Especially with some people who post here and try to turn a small machine into an industrial monster.Most likely you won't exceed the duty cycle. However it's possible if you were to hook up a water cooled torch and run max amps on alum nonstop like some do with bigger machines.Most machines have a thermal overload that will shut down the weld power if the unit overheats. In theory that will protect the unit. In reality, it's all about how hard you were pushing it ( and how frequently you've tripped the thermal) when it happened.As far as timing, all my machines are purchased to be more powerful than I normally need, so I seldom ever need to worry about duty cycle. The exception might be 1/4" alum on my Syncro 200, but there the air cooled torch will get way to hot to hold long before the cooling fan on the machine usually kicks on. I may have to watch that once I get the cooler and WC torch in the future, but I probably won't weld long enough anyways to matter..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Thanks DSW, that makes sense. Looking at the 180 chart, I probably won't use a setting that goes over the 75% duty cycle very often. For hobby use, I probably won't weld that much continuously. I hadn't thought about it not being an issue for most "pros".