lincoln square wave 355 tig

admin

wonder what are these machines worth and what is the input needed. I have a 240 volt  50 amp circuit but don't know if its enough to run this type of machine.  I was looking at the manual and I couldn't see the amp rating needed. I noticed something that said at 230 volts 100 amp input.  does that mean it needs a 100 amp circuit to run it?
Reply:Yep. That is consistent with all my old Tranny tigs with PFC, which the Lincoln had as standard equip.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:I have the same 355 machine, I hard wired it to the electrical box with # 6 wire(no cord-can not plug or unplug). At first I was tripping a 60 amp breaker just buy turning it on and letting it sit there with out welding anything. Then I did some research and found that if you disconnect the big capacitors it works just fine, been using it that way for over a year. Do a search on welding web and you'll find lots of info these machines. I like the way it welds, it's my first TIG machine so I don't know how others weld, but this big beast does just fine for me. Find a manual to locate the capacitors and unhook them(discharge them before unhooking). Some people on welding web will disagree with this process, but it works for me!
Reply:The PFC (Power Factor Correction) capacitors make the machine able to run at WOT with less amps, but in most cases they intermittently draw off large amps to charge.  Somehow without actually using more electricity and making your bill rise.  Like magic.  Had that issue with a Syncro 250.  Had it on a 50 amp and would blow the breaker at idle, but not if I was using the machine.  The manual clearly showed that my machine drew over 50 amps at idle with the PFC and 6-8 amps without it.  Call Lincoln and ask how to disconnect the caps.  If it's like the Miller, the entire pack should be connected to the power block where the cord input is.  Id draw a diagram on the inside of the cover with a sharpie on where the yep were connected so you/someone can reinstall easily at a later date.
Reply:I have been tempted to wire a contactor to turn the PFC caps off when the welder was at idle.was thinking of using the gas valve circuit to drive it. Not been able to test this idea yet,
Reply:Originally Posted by ccawgcI have been tempted to wire a contactor to turn the PFC caps off when the welder was at idle.was thinking of using the gas valve circuit to drive it. Not been able to test this idea yet,