Plethora of LN-25 questions and Bobcat hook up quesions

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Ok sorry for the plethora of questions. I have read and re-read the LN-25 posts but the more I read the more confusing I get. I think I get more confused when many responders use acronyms that I have no idea what they mean. So please if you respond keep the acronyms to a minimum. Background:Getting a miller Bobcat 225G. I have in possession a Lincoln LN-25. I have no idea what number I have. I went to the Lincoln site for a manual and there are like 10 of the Ln-25’s listed. I guess I need to get the full number off of my LN-25.1.I know I want to run it on CV (constant Voltage) and run Argon/Co2 mix. So do I control the wire speed on the dial of the LN-25. I do know about the Hi and Low switch for the wire speed control. However I am very confused where to control the wire speed of the drive motor of the wire feeder?2.What is the black plastic flying saucer covers in the feeder(where the spool goes) and how to I load the spool of wire in those 2 flying saucer things. I guess I am going to run .035 wire(not Flux core). 3.I currently have a mig gun without a gas hookup, looks like the original gun set up. I see the original gun has the 5 Pin amphenol connector, with actually 5 pins, are these just dummy pins and only 2 of them used. The replacement guns/cable I see on ebay that accommodate gas I only see a 2 pins coming out of that connector.  4.If I do get the gun that will accommodate gas will the 2 pins in the replacement gun in that amphenol connector turn on the gas solenoid when pulling the trigger ?5.Do I run my Bobcat on DC+ for this set up? Also I assume I set the amps on the Bobcat for what I want to run out of the LN-25 feeder. I do not have my Bobcat yet so I need to figure out the settings on CV.Pics to follow of my LN-25I have wired boats, hot rods, trucks and cars from scratch but I have no idea how to wire this stuff and I would not attempt just yet a 14 pin conversion on my bobcat that Duane55 did. I have no idea what goes to what and do not want to burn anything up, so for now I will try and keep this hookup as simple as I can. Thanks for all your responses.T.J.www.tjsperformance.comDynasty 300 DXHTP 240HTP Microcut 380Hyperthem 85JD2 Hyd Bender and HF Hyd Ring Roller all in one =(Frankenbender)Bpt. Mill/DRO4' x 8' CNC Plasma TableInstagram: tjsperformanceYT: TJS Welding and Fabrication
Reply:You named your LN-25 Plethora? Yes, start by getting the correct manual for the LN-25 here http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...r-manuals.aspx by entering the machine's Code# off the data tag.Once you get the Bobcat, go here https://www.millerwelds.com/support/manuals-and-parts to get its manual.Yes, best overall performance will be in CV mode off the Bobcat with Argon/CO2 for solid wire and you'll have to set the LN-25 mode switch (inside the unit) for CV mode as well.  Polarity setting on the Bobcat will be DCEP (reversed polarity) as you've stated.No, you will not select an amperage setting on the Bobcat as those are for CC mode (stick & TIG) but rather the voltage from minimum to maximum (17-28V if I recall) by the Fine Voltage control on the Bobcat control panel.  CV mode (MIG & flux-core) is the single 17-28V "Range" setting.Yes, wire feed speed (WFS) is set at the LN-25 and that in conjunction with wire size and the voltage set at the Bobcat will determine the resulting weld amperage.  Familiarize yourself with the WFS/Voltage/Wire charts inside the LN-25 and its manual.The gun you have with no gas would be for running flux-core (popular application of the LN-25) and any replacement simply needs to be setup with a Lincoln back end and lead configured for the LN-25.  The shielding gas connection is external to the power pin.Only two (A & C) of the five pins in the Amphenol are used regardless if with or without gas unless it's a more recent LN-25 Pro Dual Power unit and then it uses a third for another function.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:The flying saucer looking things are for the 14-pound spools of self shielded wire. I’ve never run an LN-25 on a Bobcat before. But run them on a lot of different engine drives. Set the amps, and volts at the Bobcat. The LN-25 just controls the wire speed. So now you have 3 things to adjust. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPThe flying saucer looking things are for the 14-pound spools of self shielded wire.
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55The Bobcat has a CV setting so actual amperage control will be a function of voltage setting at the Bobcat, WFS and wire size.If operating the LN-25 in CC mode with shelf shield wire as was/is your typical application then yes, amperage would be set at the Bobcat via the Range Selector and Fine Adjust Control on the Bobcat control panel and WFS set appropriately at the LN-25.
Reply:Still not bad for only welding . . .  what . . . three weeks now? MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55Still not bad for only welding . . .  what . . . three weeks now?
Reply:Before you get too excited about running gas, you need to make sure your LN has a gas valve in it. While you have the cover off see if it has a contractor as well.
Reply:Also, you can just take off that clam shell thingamajig and run regular spools of wire. I tend to run 10 pounders but it will accommodate a 30 pounder, just gets heavy toting it around.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPWOW! Has it been that long, already?
Reply:Originally Posted by walkerBefore you get too excited about running gas, you need to make sure your LN has a gas valve in it. While you have the cover off see if it has a contractor as well.
Reply:I want to thank everybody for their in depth answers. This has helped out a lot. This is what make this site the best on the net. I go to a lot of different forums, but this is the first one on my list.I am sure I will have more questions when I get up and running. Thanks again.T.J.www.tjsperformance.comDynasty 300 DXHTP 240HTP Microcut 380Hyperthem 85JD2 Hyd Bender and HF Hyd Ring Roller all in one =(Frankenbender)Bpt. Mill/DRO4' x 8' CNC Plasma TableInstagram: tjsperformanceYT: TJS Welding and Fabrication
Reply:Originally Posted by TJSWhat does "contactor" mean exactly.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPWithout a contactor the wire is hot all the time. The LN-22s were that way. If you’re not careful you can go through a lot of contact tips without a contactor.
Reply:Ok I got the year and month of my machine. December 1997.www.tjsperformance.comDynasty 300 DXHTP 240HTP Microcut 380Hyperthem 85JD2 Hyd Bender and HF Hyd Ring Roller all in one =(Frankenbender)Bpt. Mill/DRO4' x 8' CNC Plasma TableInstagram: tjsperformanceYT: TJS Welding and Fabrication
Reply:Yes, contactor, not contractor. Auto correct doesn't like the word contactor.