Easy Settings question on Hypertherm Plasma

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I have been using my Hypertherem Pwrmax 45 for a few months now and it is an awesome simple little machine. I've always wondered though about the guide for the settings. This is my first plasma and I see where all the settings are for max power 45a. Are these machines designed to be run at max power. The fan will kick on and off occasionally but I don't see any settings for 75% power etc.Might be a no-brainer question just thought i'd make sure and see what others are doing.thanks
Reply:You should post this in the Hypertherm section. For thinner steels, i turn the amps down so my travel speed does not need to be as fast.  Usually get a better result the running flat out.I dont often cut thin stuff so my machine is flat out most of the time.
Reply:I usually leave my Powermax 380 set on max unless I'm using it to cut sheetmetal.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:All the way up, never touch 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:great i was just making sure, it looked like thats what I was supposed to do based on the charts, there is only one chart for 45amp consumables and then a chart for 30amp consumables if I decide to use them.
Reply:If you are cutting 'thick', you use big power.If you are cutting thin stuff, you use less power.  That will usually give you better cut quality, better consumable life, and more control on the cut.  Because you don't need a full 45 amps to get through some thin sheetmetal at handheld speeds.    The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:The cutting charts in the manual for the 45 show using the 45 amp consumables at both 30 Amps and at 45 amps. Generally....on materials thinner than 1/8" I reduce the power so I can cut at a slower speed....for a more inticate cut. You can run the unit wide open....or you can run it at its lowest setting......wherever the cut looks best for you.There is also a listing for use with the same consumables that fit the Powermax30.....I have not even tried these parts....but i suspect they will cut very well on very thin gauge materials.Jim Colt Originally Posted by chadwickz71I have been using my Hypertherem Pwrmax 45 for a few months now and it is an awesome simple little machine. I've always wondered though about the guide for the settings. This is my first plasma and I see where all the settings are for max power 45a. Are these machines designed to be run at max power. The fan will kick on and off occasionally but I don't see any settings for 75% power etc.Might be a no-brainer question just thought i'd make sure and see what others are doing.thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by LarryOI dont often cut thin stuff so my machine is flat out most of the time.
Reply:i like to sett'r till she's just right        thermal arc 252i  -  millermatic 350P -   miller XMT, cp300ts, 30a 22a feeders, buttload of other millers, handfull of lincolns, couple of esabs  -   Hypertherm 1250 G3