Welder Output Rating

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Ok, so everyone know now that I am shopping for a welder/generator.  I have looked at sooo many my head is spinning.  Something that I thought was funny, and I forgot to ask the salesman...  When it says that the output is 180A but the adjustable range is 80-210A, what does that mean?  Shouldn't they both be the same?  Or, is the rated output what amps are at 50% duty cycle?  What gives?It's not what you can buy, it's what you can build.
Reply:Read the manual or look at the tag on the machine.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:yes, rated out put is the output that the machine is rated at.  If it is rated at 250 amps at 60% duty cycle  then it might have more amperage but the duty cycle will be less.  It is just like it sounds.  Rated doesn't mean the max.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:JC, you’re running into the “Duty Cycle Trap”. Welding is all about heat, that heat is developed in the transformer and there are limits that any given transformer can deliver. Bigger transformer, the more power it can deliver. Now it’s like running a marathon, you can run all day at a slow pace or sprint for a short time. Power transformers are rated at maximum continuous output and short time output to limit the heat in the transformer.If you read the users manual, you should find a current value [power] that you may weld all day long. [100% duty cycle]. As you increase the welding current over the maximum continuous current, the time interval at the higher current is reduced to keep from over heating the transformer. The higher the welding current the faster the transformer will heat. The rate of heating is proportional to the current squared and increases rapidly. So the rating 80-210 amps is the operating range and the 180 amps is at some duty cycle.However, there is not a standard duty cycle to compare one welder to the next. One company will rate their box at 180 Amps @ 50%, another at 200 amps @ 30%, 210@ 25%. If you’re luckily some, publish the 100% current. Lincoln and Miller have Duty Cycle graphs that show the 100% current and the de-rating curve at higher current, they spent the money to test and publish the information, other manufactures just give a number r two, 130 A @ 40%.
Reply:I wonder if JCWelding ever had a thought that didn't end up a question on the board.Back when I was in school, he's what we'd refer to as a "springbutt".Member for three months and over 600 freaking posts.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Sundowner3 ,Thanks for sharing your endless wealth of knowlege you've gained by years of experience. You're a true.......asset....... to this forumLast edited by wild_horses323; 07-04-2009 at 10:53 AM.
Reply:http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/EDBG.pdf
Reply:Originally Posted by transitHowever, there is not a standard duty cycle to compare one welder to the next. One company will rate their box at 180 Amps @ 50%, another at 200 amps @ 30%, 210@ 25%. If you’re luckily some, publish the 100% current. Lincoln and Miller have Duty Cycle graphs that show the 100% current and the de-rating curve at higher current, they spent the money to test and publish the information, other manufactures just give a number r two, 130 A @ 40%.
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIII wonder if JCWelding ever had a thought that didn't end up a question on the board.Back when I was in school, he's what we'd refer to as a "springbutt".Member for three months and over 600 freaking posts.
Reply:Originally Posted by tapwelderhttp://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/EDBG.pdf
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIII wonder if JCWelding ever had a thought that didn't end up a question on the board.Back when I was in school, he's what we'd refer to as a "springbutt".Member for three months and over 600 freaking posts.
Reply:I happen to like your posts JC.  I learn alot from them.  Your questions are always good and well worded and thought threw.
Reply:Originally Posted by JC'sWeldingYou know, really, I can't understand what your problem with me is.  I happen to be vary inquisitive. Something wrong with that?  I research a lot of things.  I read books, manuals, Google everything, and I am on a lot of forums.  Heck, sometimes it takes me 6 months to buy a pair of sneakers, and don't even get me started on buying computers!  Many times I ask questions, not because I don't have an original thought or that I don't already know the answer, but rather to hear others opinions.Do you ever ask questions?  Or, are you so pretentious to assume you know everything?  I'm not.  So I ask. I thought that forums were a place to discuss, ask, share, and help.  For some reason you have chosen to personally attack me at least 4 times.  You even go as far as to look up my stats.  I didn't realize that there was a "speed limit".I have not said a single bad thing about anyone on here, not about them, their skills, or their projects.  But you seem to do it a lot, and not just to me.  You chose to state how many posts I have made in 3 months.  Perhaps you should change your name to "Sun Downer".  You read the original post, but rather than share your apparent considerable knowledge on every subject, you decided to post this dribble.  Well, I have been letting you slide, because, I don't know you, and many times it is hard to tell ones tone from type.   Having said that, back when I was in school, you are what we'd refer to as an A$$----!  It is not my intention to get on here and pick fights, I have made many new friends here and have become regular "phone pals" with many, but you have backed me in a corner too many times (4th time), and must fight back.  Many others have noticed your attacks too, so it's not just me.  If you don't like me for some reason, don't read my posts.  It's that simple.  However, I will continue to read yours, because I believe you do have constructive wisdom, at times, and I like to learn.  Let's just agree that you and I will not be friends, and leave it at that.Have a great day!