Recent content by OnlyStihl
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Another welder
Got the PF. I doubt I'll ever run this at 200. 120 was intense. More heat than I have ever seen or witnessed. If I do it will be to satisfy a curiosity. -
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Another welder
I don't have a theory either, other than the breaker is going bad. The welder does draw a lot of power even when not under load. Yet when I went to stress test it the following day and ran the power up to 120Amps all was good. IDK, but I'm swapping out the breaker for something more... -
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Another welder
I'm completely self-taught. My first welding attempt was a string of BBs over a 4 inch length. I didn't know what setting, didn't know about travel speed, didn't know to clean the metal, couldn't or with great difficulty get an arc started. I made ever rookie mistake, and maybe even invented... -
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Another welder
The IdealArc welder retails for $6000, vs an old style relatively inexpensive Buzz box that have the "same" output. What's the difference? Efficiency! Least that is my theory. I'm going to finally answer that question for myself once the Amp Clamp meter from Amazon arrives. Other than the... -
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Another welder
I am finally going to break down and buy a new multimeter. A proper one with a high amp clamp built in. For a DIY garage guy it is amazing how often I use my cheapo digital multimeter. But lately the lack of a proper easy to use amp meter is holding me back. Looking at Kleins Tools --... -
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Another welder
What brand/model of welder is this? I have for sale a Century AC230, and back when it was my main welder, I had it at full power (230 Amps), and it burned rods with less intensity then the IdealArc set at 125Amps. From the plate on the back, the IdealArc draws 55 Amps at 200. At 180 it would... -
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Another welder
20A 240V breaker into the house. It also acts as a service disrupt. Not sure how that works, 20A is the main feeding to the house, 20A to the water pump and currently the 60A breaker to the garage. -
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Another welder
There are many many exceptions to most all accepted truths. All one can do is take it all in, understand it as best one can, and leave a margin for error. The problem comes when you are a new homeowner buying someone else's problem. When I bought my place the previous bidders had a home... -
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Another welder
2 AWG copper. https://opeforum.com/threads/another-welder.31212/post-1655541 -
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Another welder
I ordered a 90 amp breaker for the metered box, and at the same time will install the 60Amp on the welder circuit in the garage. All existing wire will handle the upgrades. According to the input/output Lincoln plate on the back the welder will hum along fine at 200 Amps and all breakers/wire... -
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Another welder
I know. Just seems radical going from 60 to 90. But if the wire can handle it, then why not. BUT if all that being true why was the circuit originally wired for greater current, but only a 60 Amp breaker was installed? I'm no electrician, and think about this for a while before jumping. -
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Another welder
Is this a limiting factor? 50 amp welding plug 6-50p. What is the next step-up plug for Amps greater then 50? -
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Another welder
Dedicated 50 Amp for the welder in the garage. Garage has a 60 Amp from the metered box. So I've 10 Amps of juice surplus if the welder is at maximum draw. Freezer is old and startup surge is probably 3 or 4 times running average draw, and that is my 2nd theory on why the breaker popped... -
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Another welder
I did pull the panels off and didn't see anything amiss. Something to look at again, but after I try lower hanging fruit. I do have a 60 Amp breaker that was going to replace the 50 in the garage. IF this happens again, I'll try the new 60 at the meter.