AC tig from an older engine drive

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I was wondering in the high frequency arc starters Lincoln and Miller make would work on an older engine drive, like a Weldanpower 225 or a Miller AEAD 200LE? I see those modules have a multi-pin connector on the back of them. Is that necessary to operate?  Or is it for newer machine that have contactor built in?  Can you just add the secondary contactor kit for it to work on an older engine drive? I hope I have asked this clearly enough to understand. Thanks in advance.
Reply:arc pig. Google it. I use one on my weldanpower. does more than tig...helps with starting a stick rod and works pretty good for ac tig. Good product and unbelievable customer support. I use my pig more than my miller high frequency 251 box.
Reply:Can you use a foot pedal with that?
Reply:yep..no problem as long as your machine has a remote amperage control plug. I don't use a foot control on my weldanpower. I have used a finger and foot control on my shopmaster with the pig.
Reply:here's a couple practice beads made at home with my weldanpower 150 ac. no prep or cleaning...this was just playing with it to see how it worked.
Reply:In this example do you pick a amperage and run with it like welding steel with DC tig?
Reply:yes. I used full 150 power on those beads...recently tigged an aluminum tool box for a pickup and it was .125 thick...it was a little more challenging since it was thin but at the 120 setting I had better than fair results
Reply:The machines you listed originally will not allow use of a pedal for remote amperage control. A HF box will give you a pedal for on off use, but not remote amperage unless your power source is so equiped.Can you do Ac tig without a remote with this set up, yes, but with difficulty. With no remote amperage control, you will have to choose an amperage hot enough to get the puddle to form quickly enough without overheating the base material, but low enough that you don't simply blow holes in the material. Your only way to control your heat will be with travel speed and addition of filler. Since Ac tig is usually a hot fast process anyways, it can be very difficult and frustrating. Michael ray's "example" looks like it was too thick to cause blow thru issues, but too cold to get good welds. On thinner stock say 1/8" I'm betting he'd have a lot more problems than what his example suggests.If you want a good engine driven Ac tig machine, look for one of the older AC/Dc Miller Trailblazers. They come with the standard Miller 14 pin connector that allows you to run a standard remote. Add a HF box and you are good to go..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWThe machines you listed originally will not allow use of a pedal for remote amperage control. A HF box will give you a pedal for on off use, but not remote amperage unless your power source is so equiped.Can you do Ac tig without a remote with this set up, yes, but with difficulty. With no remote amperage control, you will have to choose an amperage hot enough to get the puddle to form quickly enough without overheating the base material, but low enough that you don't simply blow holes in the material. Your only way to control your heat will be with travel speed and addition of filler. Since Ac tig is usually a hot fast process anyways, it can be very difficult and frustrating. Michael ray's "example" looks like it was too thick to cause blow thru issues, but too cold to get good welds. On thinner stock say 1/8" I'm betting he'd have a lot more problems than what his example suggests.If you want a good engine driven Ac tig machine, look for one of the older AC/Dc Miller Trailblazers. They come with the standard Miller 14 pin connector that allows you to run a standard remote. Add a HF box and you are good to go.
Reply:Thank you DSW. That was just the answer I was looking for. I am quite familiar with AC tig, but in a shop, on a machine meant for the job. I am looking to get into some aluminum work in the field and am not up on what machines are capable and which ones are not. Was hoping to spend as little as possible but sometimes what is possible is not always little.
Reply:I'm not a professional welder at all...just an auto mechanic who needs to weld lots of exhaust and body panels. I'm sure the others here can help more than me, I'm just saying with practice it will work.  You should find a machine with remote capabilities to get the best out of it.
Reply:Thanks Michael ray. I appreciate your input as well.
Reply:as DSW said it is frustrating...I learned aluminum tig on my old a/bp330 and for the first few years of owning it I couldn't afford a pedal so I used what I had and developed a feel for it. That did help me tremendously when I did get the pedal.Last edited by Michael ray; 05-04-2016 at 06:17 PM.Reason: autospell fail
Reply:no problems...I've had plenty of help here and always glad to share anything that may be useful.
Reply:Yeah sadly Miller dropped the AC function from the newer Trailblazers. Their suggestion now is to use a Dynasty plugged into the aux power from the machine. While that gives you a lot of advanced functions, not everyone needs those functions, and it's a lot more expensive than a simple HF box..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:That is brilliant.So they sell 2 machines now.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder