AC vs DC

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Does DC ever have any advantage over AC?
Reply:Wtf...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:Yes.. And AC has some advantages over DC.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Yes!!
Reply:How much could a woodchuck chuckTorchmate 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:AC is used for welding aluminum, and has other advantages too but DC is much better, with stick welding anyway I'm not too sure about other processes though. I started learning to weld on an AC buzzbox, but recently upgraded to a DC inverter.. things got much easier very fast
Reply:DC power can be stored in a battery, AC power cannot. Two or more 12 volt DC batteries can be connected in series and used for an emergency welding power supply.
Reply:I've used AC with 6011 stick when running vertical. The 6011 rods have a strong arc force and the AC will make it less aggressive.Gizzmo
Reply:Referring to SMAW, DC has a more stable arc. However, sometimes you can experience arc blow, and if it is strong enough to mess up your weld, you can switch to AC which will stop it. This is more prominent in heavier steel, using larger rods. That said, I do own six welder's with AC, and I've tried one just to see if it worked on that unit. That was + or - 10 years ago. Other than GTAW, I don't use it."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauDC power can be stored in a battery, AC power cannot. Two or more 12 volt DC batteries can be connected in series and used for an emergency welding power supply.
Reply:Are you saying connecting them in series will make them explode, or using them for welding?Lowriders have been connecting batteries in series for decades and the only problem I've ever seen is when the hold down breaks and the batteries come into contact with other bits of metal in the car.Miller MM140Lincoln Weldanpower 250 g9 proSureweld ac something or other21st century beast.
Reply:Originally Posted by hazmat5760Are you saying connecting them in series will make them explode, or using them for welding?Lowriders have been connecting batteries in series for decades and the only problem I've ever seen is when the hold down breaks and the batteries come into contact with other bits of metal in the car.
Reply:Originally Posted by Marek0086Does DC ever have any advantage over AC?
Reply:Originally Posted by ZapzooMy understanding is welding with car batteries may cause them to explode.  Not properly wiring the in series.   Essentially you are shorting the battery.  The battery gets very hot and can swell up and burst.  Also explosive gasses are produced.  The arc can ignite the gasses.  I'm not sure the specifics but that's my general idea.
Reply:Ok... clearly i don't know as much as i think i do about arc welding.   I thought AC was always better than DC.  Why do we use both DC and AC?
Reply:AC has its place in different applications but DC is superior for most rods. You will know the answer after you learn to weld awhile.
Reply:AC is used for stick welding where arc blow is a problem. It is (or was) also used for some types of electrodes for high amperage welding.  Sort of a balance between penetration and high melt off rate."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:So "arc blow" doesn't exist with MIG or TIG??
Reply:Originally Posted by ZapzooMy understanding is welding with car batteries may cause them to explode.  Not properly wiring the in series.   Essentially you are shorting the battery.  The battery gets very hot and can swell up and burst.  Also explosive gasses are produced.  The arc can ignite the gasses.  I'm not sure the specifics but that's my general idea.
Reply:http://edgewh.esabna.com/EUWeb/AWTC/Lesson1_1.htmEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Rather than get an individualized one-on-one education here from asking one sentence questions, I think you need to search a bit. There is a lot of information out there.http://www.weldreality.com/arcblowarticle.htmhttp://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...ow-detail.aspx"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:I love high amp AC welding.  I think AC stick welding is underrated by most standards.  Years ago I thought I just had to have a DC capable welder.  Yes, the DC welding is smoother and runs 7018 easier and 6010, but the rest of the electrodes excel on AC.  When you have an industrial AC welder 7018 welds nicely and you have 6011.  I also run a Lincoln cracker box most of the time on AC due to arc blow.  If you can get a hold of 1/4 inch electrodes, especially the 24s and 28s, you will LOVE seeing them lay the metal down.
Reply:Originally Posted by Scott YoungI love high amp AC welding.  I think AC stick welding is underrated by most standards.  Years ago I thought I just had to have a DC capable welder.  Yes, the DC welding is smoother and runs 7018 easier and 6010, but the rest of the electrodes excel on AC.  When you have an industrial AC welder 7018 welds nicely and you have 6011.  I also run a Lincoln cracker box most of the time on AC due to arc blow.  If you can get a hold of 1/4 inch electrodes, especially the 24s and 28s, you will LOVE seeing them lay the metal down.
Reply:Okay, today I was welding very thin metal to make custom sun-umbrella stands again.   Instead of dragging out the Lincoln 216 or MM211, I thought I'd use the old stick welder with either 3/32" 6011's and/or 6013's.  I ended up with the 6013's and AC wasn't cutting it.  DC- worked so much better for the very thin walled stuff.....Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member