MIG Radiator / improved Duty Cycle?

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Just wondering if anyone has ever adapted a small radiator in front of the fans on their MIG welders in order to cycle cooler air?  Also wonder if doing this would assist in improving the duty cycle of your machine?  Looked for a thread that may have already been started, but couldn't find one.Last edited by BuckFever; 06-11-2011 at 03:48 AM.
Reply:Just buy the right sized machine then it won't be a worry.
Reply:That's a GREAT idea.....Just the answer I was looking for.....Thanks
Reply:I know the best thing is to get rid of the heat that the mig puts out and that might work. The cooler you can keep the machine I would think you would up the duty cycle. I have put bigger fans in plasma cutters to get rid of the heat on the pc boards. They add bigger and extra fans to computers all the time to keep them cool. It is the bean pickers that the company's hire to cut cost they say this fan will work and we can save 3 bucks a unit. Heat and metal dust is the #1 killer of plasma cutters and welders keep it clean and cool and it will serve you well for years.www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Here is some pictures of cooling fans, the one on the left has a metal housing and came from a name brand 30 amp plasma cutter, the one on the right is all plastic and came from a 50 amp Chinese plasma cutter.Quiz: with one cools better left or right Attached Imageswww.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:If you really wanted to spend a little time and money on something like this you could do a full immersion cooling system for the transformer and boards. They cool high end overclocked computers this way. Basically all of the electrical parts are submerged in a cooling fluid like non-conductive oil. This pulls heat out of the components and is pumped through a radiator or heat exchanger and cooled. Dust contamination is eliminated and cooling is vastly improved
Reply:Originally Posted by ironmangqIf you really wanted to spend a little time and money on something like this you could do a full immersion cooling system for the transformer and boards. They cool high end overclocked computers this way. Basically all of the electrical parts are submerged in a cooling fluid like non-conductive oil. This pulls heat out of the components and is pumped through a radiator or heat exchanger and cooled. Dust contamination is eliminated and cooling is vastly improved
Reply:I think you are over thinking this since you don't have the welder yet. Try out the welder first then see what happens before you think of modifing your machine.  From reading your recent posts most of what you want to build will be under 1/4" so I don't see how duty cycle will be a problem.
Reply:Oh for phucks sakeBuy the MM211 and let us know when you hit the duty cycle- if you ever actually do.Here's a simple test.1. Do you know how to figger out the Duty Cycle?Now look at your watch and don't post for the rated duty cycle period.Ed 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:Point taken Who said any of the initial post was directed towards a MM211, or 180, or whatever?  My inclusion of the MM211 was simply because that is what I'm getting.  Nothing in reference to being worried about it's capabilities.  Maybe I should have said a LE Weld Pak 100    Rated at 20% duty cycle w/ 88 amps @ 18 volts.  But what if you wanted to turn it up?  Duty cycle goes down.  Not sure where, but I'm sure people would probably reach it.  SO, that question was offered (out of curiosity more than anything for the experienced welders out there) to see if a radiator would assist in increasing the duty cycle of a smaller machine which may have been purchased by that 16 year old who spent his paper money at the local Home Depot to learn a new craft.  It's kind of sad that inferences are drawn on people regardless of their history, interests, etc.  You could have a 14 year old ask a question, and he's going to get railed for asking, regardless of how rediculous it sounds.  Maybe I should stop asking questions.  Seems that this board is not for asking generalized questions    Hell, it's like Pirate4x4 over here   must be professional fabricator to apply  Last edited by BuckFever; 06-12-2011 at 03:31 AM.
Reply:Awww hell.....I'm over 100 posts now....hate to be seen as someone who does nothing but look at forums and ask stupid questions
Reply:There are two reasons I can think of that would cause someone to hit the thermal overload on there weld i.e LE weld pak. 1) your within the machines duty cycle, 2) your at the machines top output.Reason 1 would be caused by having so much work already set up that the machine does not have the ability to cool off fast enough, maybe a fan might help. On reason 2 the machine is being pushed to its very limits welding maybe too thick of material, a fan is not going to help. I believe thinking a fan might help in this situation would be foolish because the machine may not have the heat output to do a properweld in the first and cooling the machine will not add more power.
Reply:I have used an LE 100HD, owned an SP135 Plus and now currently own a MM211, MM252 and a Passport Plus and I'm willing to bet most folks on here with way more experience than me have used 120v machines also.Yes-adding a cooling fan will help cool the machine but in practical application it is just a waste of time since you'll not gain any real benefit. So you've increased duty cycle on a machine that is limited by input/output power- now what? It is like putting a Wing on a Honda civic{".I'm over 100 posts now"}  indeedEd 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:Buck Fever,"must be a professional fabricator to apply"....No.  But it helps to NOT be a smartazz.If you want to act like a know nothing 14 year old, you'll probably be treated like one.Since joining this board (over a year ago), you've been "going to buy" just about every machine made by Hobart, Miller, and Lincoln.  You've asked about every dang machine from a 350A Pulsed Lincoln to a 140 Hobart.  In January you "were buying" an MM251.  Now you're buying a MM 211 (if you can get hold of the seller).What I've seen from your posts are a bunch of "off the wall" (translation--STUPID) posts with a few "cute" posts sprinkled in.  All this BS from a poster who, in your own words, has "NEVER THROWN A BEAD".Go to millerwelds.com and order their Student Pack.  Go to Lincoln and order their Procedure Handbook of Arc Welding.  They'll be a great help to you, since you don't have time for "formal training".Last edited by SundownIII; 06-12-2011 at 02:23 PM.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:I had typed out an extravagent response with explanation....but then I realized something.  I don't have to explain SH!T to you   because as I said, if you don't like something, you can add me to your ignore list.  Won't hurt my feelings a bit.  Obviously you get off by responding in forums because you're a real welder, since you spend so much time talking about it in message boards.  You have proven this by writing your impotent comments in public forum, rather than private message.  Maybe you'll see all these  and other emoticons, and finally get it through your skull that I could care less about what you have to say and that when it comes to ANY internet message board, I take NOTHING seriously.  Why should I, or anyone else?  If it's valid information, then I take it into consideration when making a decision; but if it's meaningless comments, insults, accusations, or whatever; not a shot in hell.   There's no point in being an internet warrior, or given credit to those who try to be.I will note that some of your recommendations have been taken into consideration (such as the online information at MillerWelds and LE) because you're right, I don't have time for a formal class; so thanks for that.  99% of the time, formal education would conflict with my work schedule or family life and be as it may, I will NEVER let any hobby, or personal quest interfere with me and my family.Those who have something helpful to say, will be recognized.  Those who just want to type and talk about something just to do it, will be recognized    Some people have a lot to talk about without ever having anything to say.You have a nice day sir  Last edited by BuckFever; 06-12-2011 at 03:47 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1It is like putting a Wing on a Honda civic{".I'm over 100 posts now"}  indeed
Reply:Originally Posted by mechanic416Here is some pictures of cooling fans, the one on the left has a metal housing and came from a name brand 30 amp plasma cutter, the one on the right is all plastic and came from a 50 amp Chinese plasma cutter.Quiz: with one cools better left or right
Reply:The one on the left puts out about 3 times the airflow of the little plastic throw away fan.
Reply:The one on the left and "not" because of its sizeleft                                           right2100 rpm                                  3200 rpm115 ac volt                                 24 dc voltblade pitch 27 deg                      30 degblades 5                                     7The one on the left with only 5 blades pulls more air because of the bigger space between the blades at less rpm's. Why because it has more power to cut and move the air. But there is a price to pay for this NOISE.www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Yes-adding a cooling fan will help cool the machine but in practical application it is just a waste of time since you'll not gain any real benefit. It is like putting a Wing on a Honda civicSo you've increased duty cycle on a machine that is limited by input/output power- now what?
Reply:I have a MM180 and I have hit the duty cycle on it several times.When I do it hit it, the machine automatically stops welding, the little yellow "thermal overload" light blinks and I wait about 10 full minutes for the machine to cool before it will weld again. I've hit it so few times that I can name each one and the circumstances I was welding under. Suffice to say it's always on larger projects with long continuous beads, and most typically verticle ups. At this point I've gotten to know the machine well and I know when I'm approaching the duty cycle. First, I can smell the machine getting hot, second the arc becomes weak and erratic. When this becomes apparent, I start taking "longer breaks" to let the machine cool. Sometimes, despite the longer breaks, I will still hit the duty cycle and trip the thermal overload.To get off topic, and speak in defense of Sundown for a moment. If you step back and "objectively" re-read his comments above you will see all of it is "constructive". Along with suggesting books to read, he's basically saying "Make a decision and go" or "Sh!t or get off the pot", AND "You can ask all the questions you want, no answers will substitute for doing and gaining experience".Sorry Sundown, I hope you don't mind me paraphrasing and "softening the delivery".