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I have been looking for an Invertec for a couple months now after missing one for $800 about a year ago. I have read up in the voltage relay issue and not sure how many units are affected. I know the welder has a super high retail and has a lot of features (most I'm sure I won't use until I get some real time with TIG). I just found another for a good price, but then saw the thread on the new Thermal Arc 186 ACDC for $1505. (Found a couple 185's for similar price) Is the Lincoln worth $500 more with the same accessories? I'm pretty convinced not to stray from Miller, Lincoln or TA but wanted some opinions from people who have preferably used both. Thanks for the help! My price limit was originally around $1000, but I could swing a bit more if necessary. All for home use/side work. (Mostly motorsports related) Aluminium, SS and chromoly aside from regular steel and the help of my Lincoln MIG. JustinSent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
Reply:Not sure about late model Lincolns, but the Lincoln (was Italian built and designed) V205T had issues with auto-voltage switching from 110/220 and quite a few went poof (I have one sitting at the shop that did just that). The cost to replace a board? something like $1700. There are at least 3 people on here that have had issues.I'm not sure if they did a redesign for later models, but I wouldn't touch the V205T model with a ten foot pole. Since your price limit is around half the new price, you're going to be probably looking at years that include the dud model if you see them on craigslist.ESAB Heliarc 252
Reply:Well I actually found 2 NIB ones for around 2k (I'm sure they won't last though). Otherwise I had no shot of buying a new one at close to retail. I like the idea of being able to use 110V, but I guess that was most of the failure, so I wonder if it would be ok only running on 230V. I saw a few threads of people actually liking the TA185 more than the new 186. I guess I'll have to make a decision soon before the sale ends, and the other 2 Lincolns are gone.There are a few Miller options in my price range (used), but I haven't done much research on them. I know the Dynasty looks really "simple".P.S.- have you had your Lincoln checked out? I know a couple people on here have re-done the boards themselves and came out cheaper. I'm pretty handy with a soldering iron and circuit boards (and my time costs me nothing). Haha.Last edited by EMX5636; 11-16-2012 at 11:41 AM.
Reply:I don't have any experience with your choices, but what do you really need? Have you looked at the Hobart AC/DC tig? I've read good reviews but not dual voltage and not real portable like the inverter types.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:The issue is with an internal switch relay. It usually occurs after welding at say your house for a good long while at 110V. Then you head to the shop and plug it into to 220V and the relay circuitry doesn't sense the 220V and/or the relay gets stuck and *poof*. 220V is applied to a circuit meant to take 110.If they are new and have a warranty then I'd entertain taking a chance. I'd get the serial #s on those and see if the problem was fixed in those models. Hey you could get lucky and it would never happen. If it does Lincoln tech and customer service is useless for info.ESAB Heliarc 252
Reply:You might want to add the HTP 221 to your list... Funny, I just got an email this morning from them about a black friday special. $2195 for their 220 Amp HTP 221 model. regular price is $2495. come with air cooled torch, pedal and some other stuff.If i was in the market for an inverter I would be considering this as well.ESAB Heliarc 252
Reply:Can booth those machines do AC tig?Rick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:Originally Posted by Rick VCan booth those machines do AC tig?
Reply:Yea, aluminum is a must for me. The Hobart looks good, but I think I could use more than 165A in AC at times. I know doing a few projects at my old work, we'd have his Square wave 175 maxed welding brackets to aluminum intakes or suspension components.How was Lincoln's warranty and service on the 205T units? I never needed it for my 110V MIG, so I have no experience. From what I've been reading, the Lincoln has wave type adjustment, and a little more power over the Thermal's. Anything else I'm missing?P.S.- I don't have a ton of seat time with TIG, but most of these welds (minus the first exhaust manifold, I'm lucky enough to know a friend who welds like a robot now) are mine from a couple years back. I'm a little rusty(er) now.
Reply:I don't know anything about the Lincoln warranty as i got the machine when it was already broken well after the warranty ran out for cheap money. It was clear that the Lincoln people were going to be absolutely ZERO help in giving me a hand repairing the machine and wouldn't even give me a SINGLE resistor value on the board. They clearly acknowledged a design fault. Lincoln is not on my list for anything in the future.ESAB Heliarc 252
Reply:I had an older 2004 model v205t that I ran multiple times on both voltages with no issues. Nice machine with good duty cycle (double a dynasty).I give Lincoln Cust support a big fat Zero. When I got my SP250 used and needed to upgrade the chip, I was told they no longer support the machine cuz its old..WTF. VWguy here was able to get the part I needed brand new in a sealed Lincoln Bag. So obviously they did support it partially but put out zero effort to help customers...Tiger Sales: AHP Distributor www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P, Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma. For Sale: Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun. Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:FWIW, I have an Invertec 205 that I beat pretty mercilessly for several years, and it now does a decent amount of duty. Never an issue, whether on 110 or 220. I heard about issues with some of them, but mine has been solid.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:I had the TA 185, a Syncro 250, a Dynasty 200 and now have a TA 300. Great machines with no step down in quality compared with the Millers. I've never had to call on the TAs, so I can't speak of their customer service. Miller's customer service is a model which most companies should copy-they literally will bend over backwards to help you. I called on my Syncro a few times, which was close to 20 years old at the time, and they treated me like I bought the machine yesterday.I had a decent deal on the Lincoln 205 ACDC, but I steered away for the exact same reason stated above. The input relay. Apparently this fault occurs on their other dual voltage inverters as well.I'd love to know how the 186 compares with the 185. There a new 185 for sale on eBay right now for around $1800 from a reputable supplier. DavidR used to post alot here and measured the amp output on his 185 and said it put out 199 amps at max. He's used his for years in a welding business day in and day out without any issues.I'd probably snatch up that 185 or wait for a used one on eBay.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by BlauSchuh It was clear that the Lincoln people were going to be absolutely ZERO help in giving me a hand repairing the machine and wouldn't even give me a SINGLE resistor value on the board. They clearly acknowledged a design fault.
Reply:Originally Posted by zipzitAAArgh! What is it with these companies? Don't they realize that its all about providing VALUE to the customer. If the company does a good job providing top notch support well after the machine warranty is gone, then that machine will really, really hold its resale value in the used market. Yup, I expect the manufacturers offer up Users Manuals, Shop Repair Manuals AND detailed wiring diagrams for older units. These things really add to the value of the used piece of equipment.. and guess what.. If a buyer knows that this piece of equipment will sell for a pretty penny in the used market, its okay to pay more money up front for the purchase. More money up front? Hmmm... go figure.. When you purchase an item it has value. Some of us make our purchases based on the value depreciation curve. I always want to purchase a product that retains its value well , be it a car, a welder, a house or any thing else for that matter. --zip
Reply:So since a lot of you are happy with your blue machines, how does the Dynasty 200DX stack up? I found one for what I think is a good deal. I guess sadly I'm dropping the Lincoln from my list unless I find one for under $1000. haha.Edit - After doing a lot of reading on here, the Miller I found is probably a scam, but I have a friend local to where it is, and I would be driving 7 hours or so to pick it up. I guess I'll wait for an email back. I think a brand new TA 185 or 186 looks better and better.Last edited by EMX5636; 11-17-2012 at 10:38 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by EMX5636So since a lot of you are happy with your blue machines, how does the Dynasty 200DX stack up? I found one for what I think is a good deal. I guess sadly I'm dropping the Lincoln from my list unless I find one for under $1000. haha.Edit - After doing a lot of reading on here, the Miller I found is probably a scam, but I have a friend local to where it is, and I would be driving 7 hours or so to pick it up. I guess I'll wait for an email back. I think a brand new TA 185 or 186 looks better and better.
Reply:Agree. You will not beat a Dynasty for resale value. A 280amp dynasty would be awesome... The 200amp machines are a bit underpowered. A 280-300 amp machine will crank out 1/4" all day long with no duty cycle issues...Tiger Sales: AHP Distributor www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P, Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma. For Sale: Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun. Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I'm not really in a rush I guess. I just have to keep from finding something else to buy with the money I have saved up for a TIG. haha Might be a reason to hold off a bit if you guys think 200DX's will start showing up for sale. I know how most of the Chinese threads on here end, but I just stumbled on a scratch/dent sale at Eastwood for their 200 AC/DC Tig for $600. Still includes the 3 year warranty. ONLY reason I'm possibly considering, is they are about 30 minutes south of me, so I could deal directly with warranty issues. I'm assuming everyone thinks I should at least stick with the Thermal Arc though right?
Reply:Originally Posted by EMX5636I'm not really in a rush I guess. I just have to keep from finding something else to buy with the money I have saved up for a TIG. haha Might be a reason to hold off a bit if you guys think 200DX's will start showing up for sale. I know how most of the Chinese threads on here end, but I just stumbled on a scratch/dent sale at Eastwood for their 200 AC/DC Tig for $600. Still includes the 3 year warranty. ONLY reason I'm possibly considering, is they are about 30 minutes south of me, so I could deal directly with warranty issues. I'm assuming everyone thinks I should at least stick with the Thermal Arc though right?
Reply:Originally Posted by EMX5636I'm not really in a rush I guess. I just have to keep from finding something else to buy with the money I have saved up for a TIG. haha Might be a reason to hold off a bit if you guys think 200DX's will start showing up for sale. I know how most of the Chinese threads on here end, but I just stumbled on a scratch/dent sale at Eastwood for their 200 AC/DC Tig for $600. Still includes the 3 year warranty. ONLY reason I'm possibly considering, is they are about 30 minutes south of me, so I could deal directly with warranty issues. I'm assuming everyone thinks I should at least stick with the Thermal Arc though right?
Reply:I'm waiting on an email back for a used Thermal Arc 185. If we can't come to an agreement, then I'll probably pick up the Eastwood. I guess it will be a good inexpensive stepping stone like you guys had mentioned. Thanks for the help so far! And if anyone has any other suggestions, feel free to express them!
Reply:I have a T/A 185. Great machine had one issue with it when I first got it and had to send it back. The customer support was very good. No Problems since then. It has good low end start up for thin and a great duty cycle if you have to do thick stuff. You will set the torch down from heat before the machine shuts down. It is one tuff sob. You can do 1/4 aluminum if you add helium to the mix otherwise don't expect anything more than 3/16 without it. Good luck
Reply:ive had v205 for 5 years now and love it, has all the parameter adjustabilities u could ever want to use (not that i do)..... the only thing that i had happen was the high freq board went out but it was still under warranty thank god.mike
Reply:Originally Posted by killingmachineive had v205 for 5 years now and love it, has all the parameter adjustabilities u could ever want to use (not that i do)..... the only thing that i had happen was the high freq board went out but it was still under warranty thank god.mikeWell, just got back from Eastwood. I got a deal on it that I couldn't refuse, so I brought one home. I will keep on the lookout for a TA or HTP probably. Until then, I'll run this till the warranty runs out, or I upgrade and sell this off for cheap. I still gotta get a bottle and tungsten, so no first impressions yet. But I'll keep you guys posted.
Reply:I must confess i'm gutted to read about the issues with the V205-T.I bought one all the way back from America around 8 years ago. After reading that Lincoln Electric were the best welders.So i had to have one but i have not used it since i bought it home!I that resistor value is still needed let me know |
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发表于 2021-8-31 22:44:16