280DX Options

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I managed to sell my bike and want a miller dynasty 280 machine. I saw several options and the one that stood out was the one that said with CPS which was more expensive. Is the cps option really needed? Should i just get the regular model dynasty 280 or should i spring for the dx? Pretty much i need some help here picking a machine. Also who's got good deals on these right now?Learning the ropes....
Reply:It depends on whether you plan to buy the matching coolmate cooler for it. If you plan to use a different cooler then save your money.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:DX gives you the pulser, and sequencer useful if you do production runs. CPU is a convenience. You can't utilize this machine without a water cooled torch. I used sink water for a while, in stead of a cooler.
Reply:thanx for the info...ill check that thread. Who's got good deals on these?Learning the ropes....
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749I've run my 350 with an air cooled torch, but as Willie said, you really will need a water cooled one for using the full potential of the machine. I can still do quite a bit of welding with a standard 17 torch & a gas lens tho. I ran the 350 plenty using it while I was waiting for my torch & stuff to get hereSkip the CPU option unless you plan on getting the matching cooler. Like Irish said, save your money. I put a Coolmate 3 under mine & am in it for under $300.As far as the base model VS the DX, buy the DX. The base model is limited & the DX is only like $400 or so more. You'll be glad you spent the money on it.The dynasty 280 hard choices thread has a lot of useful information in it. Take the time to check it out.Good luck with it
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Portability mainly. My machine, however is not very portable. In your case, if you needed to take it on the road to weld something up, I would be bringing an air cooled torch unless it was some really heavy stuff. Less stuff to deal with & will save time/hassles.In my case, I just didn't have the water cooled one in yet that I had ordered from Arc Zone. Took them about two weeks to get it to me.  I already had the 17 so I just put it on there for the time being. I was quite surprised how well it performed & I did a fair share of welding over 200 amps with it. Just have to let it cool off. I used an air chuck & just blew it over the head & cup to expedite the cooling process.
Reply:Originally Posted by irish fixitIt depends on whether you plan to buy the matching coolmate cooler for it. If you plan to use a different cooler then save your money.
Reply:Well here is my take. I like the CPS. The extra 80 amps over my Dynasty200 is essential to me but a real aircooled torch killer. I am on my 3rd aircooled torch with my 200, so I know for shop work I want CPS and water cooler. Problem I have with tigrunner is machine bolts onto top of cooler and that is not portable.So my plan is to send back my 280DX tigrunner, get the power supply only with CPS. Build a cooler cart that has a water cooled torch setup with quick disconnects. And have a quick disconnect aircooled torch for field work in a toolbox. I want to just lift out the machine at a moments notice, grab my toolbox and boogie. The 280 is only a few pounds heavier and would be awesome in the field if you can find power to feed it.So I would be choosing the CPS option. Miller has said that optional pigtails would be available to adapt the Coolmate 3, so even if you have to craft one, it should work fine. 10 amp draw max should be fine. I think the Coolmate 1.3 and the Coolmate 3 draw 5 amps each.For me I will be using my 280 far more on production work so I want the cooler instantly power up when I flip the switch. Frying an expensive power cable when I forget to plug in the cooler and have a customer with me wondering if I lost my marbles is not favorable. However if I can come up with a stowage torch mount that will cut off the cooler power when I am finished welding may be worth saving the $600 for the CPS option. Yes, yes.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Originally Posted by Willie BBe aware the torch rating in the foot note requires the Coolmate 4. Miller suggests the Coolmate 1.3.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749You can always incorporate a power recep on the cart that piggybacks off line power to run the welder. I would have done that if the 350 didn't have 115 outlets on it
Reply:It's what I did on mine. I put a outlet on the cart with a switch on the front and a permanent extension cord. It does mean that I have to deal with two cords but normally not that big a deal in my small shop.  I also incorporated the flow switch to prevent the welder from working when there's no flow. It's prevented me from doing the forgetting to turn it back on thing a few times now.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Originally Posted by irish fixitIt's what I did on mine. I put a outlet on the cart with a switch on the front and a permanent extension cord. It does mean that I have to deal with two cords but normally not that big a deal in my small shop.  I also incorporated the flow switch to prevent the welder from working when there's no flow. It's prevented me from doing the forgetting to turn it back on thing a few times now.
Reply:I cover most of it in my cart thread here.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...art&highlight= Basically I made a small extension for the remote plug and put the switch inline with it. It did take some doing to find a switch I was happy with.   I did have to readjust that switch the other day when I was doing to large tank. My Parweld torch doesn't flow as much coolant as my CK 300 amp torch. Thus I had to lower the switch point down to about .125 gpm.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:@ Willie B - currently run'n a 200DX with air and water torches.  Configured with a CoolMate 4. Skip the "4" and rip a CoolMate 3.  The "4", while having higher {unnecessary} flow rate, does not lend itself well to packaging within a mobile cart.  Works fine, but dimensionally she's more round and less "tight".   And, no On/Off switch on the "4".  Look for a used CM3 in the $300-400 range.  When my CM4 quits, she's being replaced with a CoolMate 3.  Good luck with your BLUE machine!"Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:Originally Posted by irish fixitI cover most of it in my cart thread here.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...art&highlight= Basically I made a small extension for the remote plug and put the switch inline with it. It did take some doing to find a switch I was happy with.   I did have to readjust that switch the other day when I was doing to large tank. My Parweld torch doesn't flow as much coolant as my CK 300 amp torch. Thus I had to lower the switch point down to about .125 gpm.
Reply:My original setup was a pressure switch. The problem with it was that you could loose flow and still have pressure. I had that happen real early on using it. If you look at the end of the thread you can see where I changed the pressure switch for a flow switch. The problem there is finding a adjustable flow switch that's right for the job and affordable. I managed to modify a find off ebay make it work. Fixed flow switches are available but they don't give indication of flow like the one I modified.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm