Pulsed aluminum mig off vantage 400?

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I used a miller alumafeed syergic aluminum welding systemhttp://www.millerwelds.com/products/...stem/index.php and I found it welded absolutely amazing on the pulsed setting. It made welding aluminum easy and beautiful. I'm wondering if there is any equipment that I could buy to get similar results with a spool gun and running off a vantage 400 for portable jobs.I suppose I could buy that whole $8000 system and run it off the vantage auxiliary power but that would be heavy and expensive.Does anyone know if the welder that comes with the alumafeed system is just an xmt 350 or is it a whole different animal?
Reply:feet, as far as I know you're going to need a separate power supply no matter where you look for engine driven welding machines for portable pulse mig.Matt
Reply:Originally Posted by Matt_Maguirefeet, as far as I know you're going to need a separate power supply no matter where you look for engine driven welding machines for portable pulse mig.Matt
Reply:Not sure if you are asking if you can pulse weld with a spoolgun (answer - yes), or if you can pulse mig directly from an engine drive (not unless you have a Miller Pipe Pro 304). An XMT / optima combination running the 30A spoolgun works great for pulsed mig aluminum. And this can be run off any generator (provided it has the power you require).Does that answer your question?JasonXMT 350 MPA Dynasty 280DXSuitcase 8RC / OptimaSpoolmatic 30AThermco Ar / C02 mixerAssorted O/A gear
Reply:Originally Posted by BCRDNot sure if you are asking if you can pulse weld with a spoolgun (answer - yes), or if you can pulse mig directly from an engine drive (not unless you have a Miller Pipe Pro 304). An XMT / optima combination running the 30A spoolgun works great for pulsed mig aluminum. And this can be run off any generator (provided it has the power you require).Does that answer your question?Jason
Reply:Yes, you can use an Optima pulser with a Pipe Pro 304.  That is the only engine drive machine you will be able to pulse mig with directly off the engine drive.  All others, you would only be using the engine drive as a generator to power an inverter pulse machine, such as an XMT 350MPa or an XMT 304 or 350 with an Optima pulser, or a Lincoln C300 inverter with pulse option, I think it's called PowerWave C300. They also have a model similar to the C300 that doesn't have the internal wire feeder, but the one with the internal wire feeder would be the most useful for mobile aluminum, paired with a push-pull Python torch.On the suitcase feeders, get the 12 model, not the 8, unless  you're doing work inside ships where you need to fit the feeder through the man holes.  The 12" models allow you to use 12" spools of wire, which some structural wires only come in 12", not 8".  You can still use lighter 10-lb 8" spools in the 12" feeder and have a similar overall weight as using an 8" feeder.  I bought a Suitcase 8RC and ended up buying a Suitcase 12RC too, due to not being able to run some wires with the 8.  The 12 feeder is more versatile and doesn't weigh much more than the 8 and cost about the same.As far as RC or VS, that depends on how you intend to use it.  If you need to weld more than 75' from the machine, you need the VS.   I prefer the RC, as they weld exactly like a shop mig in every respect, but they are limited in length and the control cable is not cheap at all.  I don't care all that much for welding with the VS, but they are more versatile to use and easier/cheaper to hook up.  The only reason I can get away with running RC's is because I have the XMT to run them from.   If I cant reach the weld within 50' from the truck (which is the length of my control cable), I just move the XMT closer and run a longer ext cord to the XMT from the Bobcat.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33Yes, you can use an Optima pulser with a Pipe Pro 304.  That is the only engine drive machine you will be able to pulse mig with directly off the engine drive.  All others, you would only be using the engine drive as a generator to power an inverter pulse machine, such as an XMT 350MPa or an XMT 304 or 350 with an Optima pulser, or a Lincoln C300 inverter with pulse option, I think it's called PowerWave C300. They also have a model similar to the C300 that doesn't have the internal wire feeder, but the one with the internal wire feeder would be the most useful for mobile aluminum, paired with a push-pull Python torch.On the suitcase feeders, get the 12 model, not the 8, unless  you're doing work inside ships where you need to fit the feeder through the man holes.  The 12" models allow you to use 12" spools of wire, which some structural wires only come in 12", not 8".  You can still use lighter 10-lb 8" spools in the 12" feeder and have a similar overall weight as using an 8" feeder.  I bought a Suitcase 8RC and ended up buying a Suitcase 12RC too, due to not being able to run some wires with the 8.  The 12 feeder is more versatile and doesn't weigh much more than the 8 and cost about the same.As far as RC or VS, that depends on how you intend to use it.  If you need to weld more than 75' from the machine, you need the VS.   I prefer the RC, as they weld exactly like a shop mig in every respect, but they are limited in length and the control cable is not cheap at all.  I don't care all that much for welding with the VS, but they are more versatile to use and easier/cheaper to hook up.  The only reason I can get away with running RC's is because I have the XMT to run them from.   If I cant reach the weld within 50' from the truck (which is the length of my control cable), I just move the XMT closer and run a longer ext cord to the XMT from the Bobcat.
Reply:Agreed on the 12 model. Also, what power source are you running the suitcase off of? Only Miller units (with the remote control output) are directly compatible with the RC models, other units require an additional module. Which adds to the cost. VS models will run off any power source without additional modules.JasonXMT 350 MPA Dynasty 280DXSuitcase 8RC / OptimaSpoolmatic 30AThermco Ar / C02 mixerAssorted O/A gear
Reply:Originally Posted by BCRDAgreed on the 12 model. Also, what power source are you running the suitcase off of? Only Miller units (with the remote control output) are directly compatible with the RC models, other units require an additional module. Which adds to the cost. VS models will run off any power source without additional modules.Jason
Reply:correct me if im wrong...but doesnt MK products? sell an inline pulse attachment?i though i remember reading about somewhere on here in the past
Reply:http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...109782081.htmlHere is one of those inline pulsers i mentioned above
Reply:Originally Posted by AMC724http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...109782081.htmlHere is one of those inline pulsers i mentioned above
Reply:I seem to recall desertrider and another chap were discussing these units...yep, this thread -  http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...t=powcon+pulseStart reading post 8 and on. They might chime in with some more detail.XMT 350 MPA Dynasty 280DXSuitcase 8RC / OptimaSpoolmatic 30AThermco Ar / C02 mixerAssorted O/A gear
Reply:Originally Posted by AMC724http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...109782081.htmlHere is one of those inline pulsers i mentioned above
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33I have 3 of those MK Pulse + units sitting in my garage right now.
Reply:Originally Posted by AMC724wanna sell one?