TA 211i vs MM 200 input amps vs. output ratings

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I'm comparing these two units, I'm interested in the 3-in-1 capabilityOn paper the TA 211i appears more of a capable welder vs. the Multimatic 200. Higher output for MIG, TIG, and stick. However input voltage of the TA 211i is only 15 amps, the MM200 is 18 IIRC. I find it hard to believe TA has a unit that is 20% more efficient yet puts out more power than the Miller. My Passport is a 17 or 18 amp input unit, yet has, on paper, significantly less output (21.5v/180 amps) than the TA 211i (24.5v/210 amps).What gives? Is the Miller actually just underrated?Miller Passport
Reply:Its all in how each company rates their welders.  TA uses effective input current and maximum input current.  Miller rates theres at rated ouput current.  Miller voltage is 230v or 120v where as TA rates their welders at 230v/208v and 115v.  Also you should be comparing the Multimatic 200 to the TA 181i as these are the same welders the 211i is to compete with the 211 Miller or 210 Hobart check the duty cycle on the 200 manuel it only goes up to 180 amps at 10% duty cycle.  The best feature of the multimatic 200 is the new autoset its dead on.  But if you spending the amount of money for a multimatic 200 you might as well buy the TA 252i as its weights about the same as the TA211i it has more output and the advance feature allow you to do more.  One other thing the voltage rating i have to use my mm211 with a boost transformer on 208 voltage other wise if welds for crap same wire same voltage tap same wire speed for 208 or the boosted 240 voltage. The 181i ,252i  weld the same if using 208 voltage or the boosted 240 voltage.
Reply:I run my MM200 on a 110V/15 Amp plug all the time.  Never popped a breaker.Its a very nice MIG machine and from what I understand a very similar arc to the Passport (i.e. a very smooth welding process - low spatter etc.).  In fact, the machine runs so smooth that when I used it to teach some Boyscouts (roughly age 13), there were a couple that made beads that would qualify for the "MIG like TIG" thread...  All with 5 minutes under the hood time.  Well, 5 minutes arc time.   One the flip side, Miller calls it portable...  Miller doesn't add in the weight of cables, regulator or the spool of wire.  And of course I drag around an 80 cf bottle behind it.The price is a bit painful.  But I'm over that now.  I paid a bit over $1800 from LWS including taxes and got an Arc Station table with it.  My real goal was a decent MIG that will run on any voltage I could find.Along those lines, the MM200 welds exactly the same on 110 as it does on 220.  In fact, it welds the same on the end of 50ft extension cord (14 gauge) so long as you don't exceed the levels for that voltage.  When you push it - say you dial in 20V on 110, your actual output voltage will be more like 16.5 (depending on wirespeed).  Remember, the MM200 is a true inverter.  Not sure about the 211.The autoset is trivially easy with the ability to bump up any setting.  I have not tried TIG or stick.  I do have an adapter for one of my TIG pedals but I don't have a Dinse connector for the torch (it smaller and gas flows through it). There is not much you can adjust on the MM200.  Forget run-in, post flow etc etc.  However, so far it has welded flawlessly and I've never even considered tweaking these.  Miller has done a great job tuning it.It's good enough for car/light truck work.  Not something I would use on a heavy trailer/equipement.  Is it worth $700 over a 211?  Who knows.  I have never used or tried Thermal Arc.  Can't compare.Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:Originally Posted by con_fuse9Remember, the MM200 is a true inverter.  Not sure about the 211....It's good enough for car/light truck work.  Not something I would use on a heavy trailer/equipement.  Is it worth $700 over a 211?  Who knows.
Reply:Just to be clear here folks I'm not referring to the MM211, the miller 211 product. I'm refering to the inverter powered Thermal Arc 211i.Both the TA 211i and NEW Miller Multimatic 200 are inverter units. The miller shows considerably more input amps than the TA, which is why I am confused.Miller Passport
Reply:I sent an email to Thermal Arc. Here is their response:In regards, to your request, the reason we are able to achieve better efficiency is that this unit has what they call "PFC" Power Factor Correction"....this enables the inverter to be more efficient with incoming power....the Multimatic does not use PFC.. How this works is basically they take an IGBT (Semiconductor) which turns on and dumps energy from a large inductor into the working capacitors to keep the voltage at specific level so the inverter doesn't work as hard to maintain a  specific output....This how they achieve an output with less current draw from the wall.....Hope this helps and thanks!!