Esab 161 lts

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I am going to order a ESAB 161 LTS in a week or so can anyone tell me what size the leads are and the type of cable connector it uses, I want to order the cable and connectors to make up 25' leads for it.
Reply:Its probably cheaper to make an extension cord for the power input side of that machine and just move the machine closer to your work.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:I will be using my 50' extension from the plug inside garage at back door to my work area, now I want longer leads so working on trailers I don't have to keep re positioning the welder.
Reply:It uses dinse 25 connectors. Make your stinger longer than your ground.Eventual master of the obvious, practitioner of "stream of consciousness fabrication".  P.S. I edit almost every post because because I'm posting from my phone and my fingers sometimes move faster than my brain.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Sedanman

It uses dinse 25 connectors. Make your stinger longer than your ground.
Reply:I have an Esab 161...as far as I can tell, the leads are 4 ga.
Reply:I am still debating this purchase wondering about the reliability being my first inverter based welder., it came down to the ESAB or the  Hobart Stickmate  LX235 AC/DC, the stickmate  being so heavy and expensive is the reason I am leaning toward the ESAB.
Reply:The ESAB 161 is dual voltage (110/220) so you can use it just about anywhere.  You'll need a 20A breaker for the 110.  The 161 will run 6010 flawlessly if you need to run that rod.  I ran mine on 110 untii I got my shop wired for 220, then switched over to using it on 220.  Welds great.  Mine has been a workhorse and I would buy another in a heartbeat.  There are several folks here on the forum who use the 161, so I'm sure some of them may chip in on the subject.  Mine is the stick only version, no TIG.One good word about ESAB...my original 161 developed a loud "pop" when I turned it on, but welded just fine.  I was concerned since I had only one month to go on the original 3 year warranty.  I called the LWS where I bought it and told them about the problem.  They asked me to wait a day or so while they contacted ESAB.  They called back the next day and said ESAB was sending me a new welder, no questions asked!!  Warranty and customer service like that is VERY rare these days.  The replacement has been working just fine for about the last two years with no problems.
Reply:Good to here about there customer service, the one I am going to order is the stick only version. I have a dedicated 220-50 amp Receptacle for it and a 50 foot power extension I will probably pull the trigger on it in the morning.
Reply:I have two of them at school. They get used an hour a day for stick or tig. (only have one class per day) I often use one for demonstrations. Nice welding machines.Yours will still have a stick/tig switch - buy a torch and flow meter whenever you are ready.Last edited by MinnesotaDave; 04-01-2018 at 10:09 PM.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:As Dave mentioned, the stick version still has a stick/TIG switch. Make sure you don't accidentally flip it to TIG mode with a fat finger...  I did that once unknowingly. The welder was welding like sh*t. I checked the amp knob, the Dinse plugs, polarity, ground clamp, stinger connections, 220 plug, changed electrodes, just about everything I could think off. Stood there scratching my head and happened to notice the switch had been flipped to the TIG position!!!!  Flipped it back to "stick" and problem solved!!!
Reply:Thanks you all for the info I appreciate it., I ordered it this morning I am looking forward to trying it out.
Reply:Great! Let us know how you like it.
Reply:The leads are I believe 4 gauge. I upgraded both the power cord and leads. I went with 10 gauge power cord, was 12 g. Used #1 for leads. Big improvement with the power cord and leads. I probably was able to turn the machine down about 5 amps or so with the same weld quality.
Reply:Well I received the Esab 161 lts, it is a nice little unit, I ordered a case for it the Contico  26 Portable hip roof Tool Box Part Number HR8260 these are heavy duty cases I have two of the 20" versions for over 10 years and there still in great shape the 26'' model should have plenty of room for the welder and cables and then some. trying to figure out how to upgrade to longer #2 cables with it, the Lenco Cable Connector-LDP-25M the cable capacity for connector size 25mm is No. 8 throu No. 4, ?
Reply:I ordered a 161lts today.  It is to replace my esab miniarc 150.  I paid $483 free shipping for the 161.  I paid $1200 for the 150 about 12 years ago.  The old 150 performed well, however recently it only wants to work on 240 and work work in stick mode. Will this 161 work off a standard 5k watt generator?Last edited by tapwelder; 08-16-2018 at 12:37 PM.
Reply:

Originally Posted by tapwelder

I ordered a 161lts today.  It is to replace my esab miniarc 150.  I paid $483 free shipping for the 161.  I paid $1200 for the 150 about 12 years ago.  The old 150 performed well, however recently it only wants to work on 240 and work work in stick mode. Will this 161 work off a standard 5k watt generator?