Anyone running a plasma on their rig?

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I'm looking at trying to set up 2 of my trucks with plasma on board, and I am trying to get a game plan set up, what kind of compressor and tanks to be looking at, the works. Also trying to figure out the feasibility of this. If any of you guys have plasma on board, please reply and post pictures if you have themGo Cards!!!!!
Reply:Trailblazer 302 Airpak.  That's what I'm running and my Hypertherm PM65 is very happy with it.If that's not an option, I would be looking at a PTO driven unit.  Like this:http://www.imt.com/en-US/air-compressor-CAS435HA.html
Reply:Hypertherm 45 with Bobcat 250 and 30 gal. cambel hausefeild compressor on service truck, works well .
Reply:On the Hypertherm website  www.hypertherm.com  you can find a listing for each plasma cutter of what size generator is required for full arc stretch with the plasma's. You can run a larger Hypertherm plasma from a lower output generator...but the plasma output will be affected.  I am seeing more and more portable use of air plasma systems....I think the technology and reliability has finally gotten to the point where a hand plasma torch is now a valuable tool for field welding/cutting applications.Jim Colt
Reply:Jim, I would go beyond that and call it more of a neccesity than a valuable tool.  My torch hardly gets used anymore.  Can't believe how much time I've wasted not owning one over the years.
Reply:One of the cpabilities that doesn't seem to get much coverage is the the plasma gouging....especially with the newer Hypertherm systems like the Powermax45/65 and 85. I recently had to do some repairs/redesign on some farm tractor implements that had a lot of 3/8" steel brackets welded onto some structural tubing. I needed to save the tubing and reuse it with newly designed brackets. Normally you would have too much labor to bother saving components like this...and would be better off just building a whole new assembly.I used the Powermax45 with the gouging nozzle.....after a few minutes practice I found the gouging arc was very predictable and controllable....alowing me to surgically remove some pretty heavy welds without damage to the base material. I was able to stretch the arc to about 1-1/2" long on that little 45 amp plasma to get into some tight areas. With a carbon arc gouging process I probably would have been at 600 amps or so!Jim
Reply:The gouging is almost intuitive.  Practically zero learning curve, just point and shoot.  No more gring out a weld, and not being covered in an abrasive film is priceless by itself.
Reply:Hey Cliff,I have a plasma unit(35A) on my mobile rig that really serves me well for the sheetmetal/auto panel restorations I do each year. It allows a tremendous savings in time & fitting in location is quite easy. I also use it for cutting irregular shapes for many repairs on various equipment. I have a 26gal vert. compressor that I set the pressure switch to come on at 65psi as the plasma unit automatically shuts off at <70psi. My gen that powers each is a 7.5kw so there is no conflict between the plasma unit & compressor as the compressor draws 15A on startup & the plasma uses 33A on max output. Here's a pic of my setup. The Thermal Dynamics unit has been replaced with an ESAB PCM500i/35A that I got free from my company when we closed last year. It is about 30% smaller in size.Personally, I find a plasma unit extremely handy for the work/repairs I do when mobile. Your needs for a plasma will dictate whether to get one or not, & power needed for the dimension of metal you want to cut. Don't get underpowered. The 35A serves my needs as 99% of my work is with <.250 material. Here's a pic with the TD PAK50 I had originally on my unit.Denny Attached ImagesComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:I have a Hobart 700i....turned all the way up my 8,000k generator about dies...about halfway it works great.
Reply:miller pro 300 thermal dynamic pak maser 75 and Im running a hitachai 5.5 horse air compressor with an 8 gallon tank. I have had really luck with the set up I don't really use it for an extended period of time at one time if the compressor is stuggling I let it catch up but it usually keeps up.Vantage 300 kubota ,miller 304 xmt ,lincoln ln 25 pro , ranger 305 G, plenty of other tools of the trade to make the sparks fly.
Reply:Great advice people, im checking into all of it. I talked to the guys at my lws today, and the recommended buy a compressor, then buying bed mounted tanks. That seems to be a bit excessive for something that will only be used with plasma cutting, doesn't it?Go Cards!!!!!