SA200 idler options

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Is there a cheaper way to have auto idle on my sa200 than to buy the electronic upgrade for $400? Right now it has the old vacuum idler that is not working. The electronic upgrades say for 12 volts only and my welder is a 6 volt system so it doesn't sound like that would work without switching my generator, battery and starter out for 12 volt stuff. Right now I have a choke control cable hooked up to run the high idle. Seems like there should be a cheap way of putting auto idle back on it, it is a very simple device. Any ideas?Miller millermatic 251Miller aircrafter 330st, wp201961 Lincoln SA200Ellis 1600 bandsawLogan 820 latheSouth Bend 13"Bridgeport M Head
Reply:Several people have talked about building their own electric idler but so far they haven't posted results. Right now the kit is as good as it gets, as far as I'm aware. What is wrong with your vacuum idler? It can be fixed or replaced cheaper. With the grind-eze added it even idles up with a grinder. I don't know what kind of info you have on your machine, you don't give the year of manufacture but Lincoln provides a lot of info here if you have the code numbers for your machine.http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...ualsearch.aspxPDF's IM 117-B and IM 179-G.1 both deal with vacuum idlers. Hope this helps.Last edited by gizzardgutz; 11-19-2009 at 03:39 PM.Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.                                         -Cree Indian ProverbSA 200 LincolnVictor Torches
Reply:I have no idea what is wrong with the idler. The machine was manufactured in 1961. The idler did not work when I bought it. I will read those articles, maybe it is fixable. I was assuming that it was not worth messing with.Miller millermatic 251Miller aircrafter 330st, wp201961 Lincoln SA200Ellis 1600 bandsawLogan 820 latheSouth Bend 13"Bridgeport M Head
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepNo offense to those selling idler upgrades; but we really should put our heads together and come up with a simple, reliable, poor-boy idler retrofit. The trick will be to source cheap reliable components. With all the smarts around here, we ought to be able to do that.Maybe a 12v solenoid from some common automotive application, a current sensor, and a timer relay.  I would think that a control that is far superior to the originals, could be built for less than a $100.