ESAB Heliarc owners... Recommended "Balance Control" settings?

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If I crank leave the dial to 0 (max cleaning/extreme counterclockwise) I can barely run a bead... it seems to blow the filler rod right out of the puddle... I've been bouncing between 4 and 8 (10 is max penetration) while playing around. I'm wondering what I should be running for 1/8+ Aluminum. Here's the blurb from the manual: Balance Control (R4). This control changes the wave balance for Tigwelding operations (see Fig. 3-2). It is not operative in Stick welding operations.With the dial set in its extreme counterclockwise or "Max. Cleaning"position, the power source is set up for "balanced" wave operation (equalportions of reverse and straight polarity - 50/50) for use in DC and AC Tigwith Maximum Cleaning (and minimum penetration). This will be the normal(counterclockwise) position for most applications. As the potentiometer isturned clockwise toward "Max. Penetration", cleaning action will lessen andpenetration will increase. This "unbalanced" wave output (more straightthan reverse polarity) should only be used for AC Tig applications whenneeded.ESAB Heliarc 252
Reply:I generally go for 10 (max) penetration when on clean Alum.  The only time that I'm less than max is on cast, I'll go to about 6-7I also run almost no electrode stick out.I run a syncro 250.The higher the balance, the more tightly focused your arc will be.Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:If your machine is a tranny machine, I'd keep it at 10-max penetration.  Most transformer machines maximum EN is only around 70% at best.  My Syncro 250 was 68% EN max.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:6 or 7 is a good setting for general aluminum welding with the 252. Higher the # more amp draw too.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:You are already power challenged with that machine on the circuit you are running for 1/8" alum. You will need as much penetration as you can get to make the most of the amperage you have available. That means you need to do most of you cleaning manually since you can't rely on the arc as much.6-7 would be where I'd say to set it on average, but since you can't run a true 150 amps at the torch from what you have said, I'd crank it up to 9-10 to get the most out of that machine you can..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:Sounds pretty much the same as my old Linde squarewave 300. I used 2% thoriated on it and it balled back well by itself. I set to full penetration, then backed off to get a balance of cleaning and balling of the tungsten. Ceriated may work better for on alum but always had a hard time starting for me, hence thoriated.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:Thanks folks, guess I'm going to have to really clean the material and stay between 7 and 10 on the dial. I was actually able to get a puddle to form pretty quick on 1/4 AL with it set to 10 max penetration. This power situation sucks, wish I had the authority to do some rewire, but my old man is a bit of an obstacle.ESAB Heliarc 252
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonSounds pretty much the same as my old Linde squarewave 300. I used 2% thoriated on it and it balled back well by itself. I set to full penetration, then backed off to get a balance of cleaning and balling of the tungsten. Ceriated may work better for on alum but always had a hard time starting for me, hence thoriated.
Reply:Originally Posted by Brand XReally, standard Zirconaited is about the best for AC welding with that machine. If you could find some 4% Thoriated, it will weld with a point pretty well.Just if you want to narrow the arc up a bit. Works pretty well, and a good trick for standard transformer type machines. http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-32-1-Zirco...-/110447704136I would E-mail this guy, and see if he can still get 4% in 3/32 size. It will hold it's tip shape (less erosion)  longer then 2% red ones. Sent some to my friend to try with his Arcmaster 300, but I have never heard how they work on his inverter. I suspect about the best you will find, but never got a chance to try out myself..http://store.aglevtech.net/thoriated...lectrodes.html
Reply:Originally Posted by BlauSchuhHey Thanks, I'll order some of those 1% Zirconiated . I was using 1.5% (?) ceriated and 2% thoriated over the last couple of days. I've lost track which was which, as I chopped the pieces into segments. Hmm, 4% thoriated eh? You trying to give me cancer  First time I've heard that mentioned.