?s regarding adding voltage readout to mig welder

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Would like to add a voltage readout for my MM212.  Anyone done this or can anyone point me in the right direction?  Thanks for your time.Jay DavisAWS-CWIC-60 Specialty Welding ContractorLoving husband, and father of two boys (
Reply:not sure about the mm212 but my esab has a kit for it, its just plug and play, i don't know if miller has anything like this for their machines. I would assume that you cold make some sort of crude voltmeter attached to the voltage tap switch on the inside.ESAB MigMaster 275Miller Econotwin HFMiller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Similarly, you could check the voltage at various dial settings (with a multimeter) and make a chart.
Reply:You could put together your own. There are numeric LED panel voltmeters on ebay for cheap, just add one to the panel. Get the "nibbling cutters" from shipwreck tools to cut a rectangular hole in sheet metal.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Refresh.Since Day 1 with the used MM175, thought of configuring an LED voltage readout to the Blue MIG'r.  Have already charted the Volts-vs-Dial ("1" thru "10") curve for reference; however, having a real-time visual of the actual volts during burn-in would be cool.  Anyone had success in retro-fitting an LED display to a Miller unit?  Read a cool thread, on another forum, where a dude installed an LED voltage readout to a MIG unit.  Fairly involved process, but tractable.  Not interested in measuring the WFS digitally, as the analog equivalent is fine. Note: have past experiences in building DC electrical circuits (e.g. 555 timers, flashers, ringers) on breadboards and creating/etching PC boards.  Similarly, trainined in low/high-voltage safety and practices.Appreciate any leads and/or experiences in an elegant solution for the the LED voltage readout.  Will continue to surf towards a solution, in addition to contacting Miller directly.The journey continues....."Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:http://www.mpja.com/Panel-Meters/departments/51/
Reply:Good link. Just get the type that runs off a 9V battery, not the 5V type (there's no 5V in most MIG welders). Connect the meter leads to large lugs that fit on the output studs with the welder's leads.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Help a newbie out.... Why would a feller want to add a voltage meter to his MIG welder? What is the purpose and how would it help me weld any better is what I'm asking..Qualified & experienced at welding scrap metal
Reply:Originally Posted by little JeepHelp a newbie out.... Why would a feller want to add a voltage meter to his MIG welder? What is the purpose and how would it help me weld any better is what I'm asking..
Reply:This is interesting...I am going to toss this idea out there for you folks to chew on.This new gadget called "Google Glass" is an eye glass frame with a transparent data screen.(Google it, sic).    It would be really cool to implement a voltage and current meter to display on your "Google Glass" frames while under the hood.    I have no idea how much the frames cost, but a cheep Atom PC and USB type voltage./current meters would be about $300 clams.  I wonder if this is really useful if built into a helmet???
Reply:I'd need #10 readers to see something that closeXMT304 (school)SP125+ (home)HF 4x6 BandsawGood judgement comes from experience and much of that comes from bad judgement.
Reply:I have been working on this for a bit actually. And in the process burned up a few led displays.At least 3 or 4. These things are cheap on eBay and don't last worth a damn. And you want one that will read up to 99.9v. If it doesn't say what it will read up to dont bother. I got a few that wouldn't go past 26v or 28v.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by BilldacatThis is interesting...I am going to toss this idea out there for you folks to chew on.This new gadget called "Google Glass" is an eye glass frame with a transparent data screen.(Google it, sic).    It would be really cool to implement a voltage and current meter to display on your "Google Glass" frames while under the hood.    I have no idea how much the frames cost, but a cheep Atom PC and USB type voltage./current meters would be about $300 clams.  I wonder if this is really useful if built into a helmet???
Reply:Most MIG welders that have meters will display the average voltage and current for a few seconds after you stop welding, so that you can see what they were. You will not get that with a cheap fleabay panel meter.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Originally Posted by ManoKaiRefresh.Since Day 1 with the used MM175, thought of configuring an LED voltage readout to the Blue MIG'r.  Have already charted the Volts-vs-Dial ("1" thru "10") curve for reference; however, having a real-time visual of the actual volts during burn-in would be cool.  Anyone had success in retro-fitting an LED display to a Miller unit?  Read a cool thread, on another forum, where a dude installed an LED voltage readout to a MIG unit.  Fairly involved process, but tractable.  Not interested in measuring the WFS digitally, as the analog equivalent is fine. Note: have past experiences in building DC electrical circuits (e.g. 555 timers, flashers, ringers) on breadboards and creating/etching PC boards.  Similarly, trainined in low/high-voltage safety and practices.Appreciate any leads and/or experiences in an elegant solution for the the LED voltage readout.  Will continue to surf towards a solution, in addition to contacting Miller directly.The journey continues.....
Reply:Originally Posted by ManoKaiTo your 1st question:  Metric commonality for data conveyance, and because I can.  IRT to MIG settings, what's important is Voltage (ie. actual voltage/potential during burn-in, not OCV) and WFS (wire feed speed).    The relative scale of "1" through "10" for voltage on a MM175 might as well be coded as "green clovers", "blue diamonds", "yellow stars", and "purple horseshoes".  If a fellow welder asks what Voltage were you using on 1/8" HRS coupon in the 3G position, you can respond with a number in actual volts if you have a digital readout.To your 2nd question:  Does seeing/knowing the voltage on an LED/LCD make you a "better" MIG welder?  Hell No.  Perfect preparation and continuous training advance your welding skills.  To wit, capturing voltage data for future reference and parameter selection is important.
Reply:@ Broccoli - Right. The 'ole WST will make the Volts -vs- WFS a nightmare.  Knew about the suck feature but discounted the practicality of operation.  Although could rip actual dwell voltages for a given WFS......adjusting the wire feed speed a micron will alter the delivered Volts.  Voltage divider principle exemplified.  Mahalo for the reality check!This just in.  Will be *gifting* my MM175 to my brother for his upcoming birthday and replacing her with a Shelby GT500....otherwise known as a Miller XMT 304 CC/CV.....procured from 'Drf256'.  My bro don't need no volts readout.  He's a welding/fabrication wizard and will use puddle geometry and years of talent to ride the lighting with the MM175."Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:i understand what you guys want to do, but on the mm212 the voltage is stepped, so once you made a chart of what voltage is at what setting your not going to change that, so im just lost wondering why you would care in knowing it? its not like youd be able to fine tune or even share your settings because in reality your tuning the wire speed and adjusting to a correct setting... any reason other than knowing the voltage ?