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  1. #16
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    Jun 2010
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gavin Newman View Post
    Or you use one of these with it's own breaker and RCD built in...
    https://hpm.com.au/products/power-converter-10a-to-15a
    The problem is that those units have a 10A breaker, whereas a GPO circuit has at least a 16A breaker. So even a 130A inverter with a 10A plug would trip that unit.

  2. #17
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Feb 2006
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    Perth
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    Quote Originally Posted by RustyArc View Post
    I think the nicest solution for a 15A plug is a short lead with 15A socket and a 10A plug. Just as with any other of the workarounds, it's something you do at your own risk.
    That's what I use and in addition I added a V/I panel meter in a rugged box in the middle of the lead so I can see the current being drawn. This has been extremely useful and given the super low cost of these panel meters I wonder why these are not available commercially?

    I also have another short lead (15A socket 10A) with a longer active line so a current clamp can be used on it - testing purposed only of course. The reason for this is the panel meters are only good to 100 mA whereas the current clamp can read 10mA

  3. #18
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    moonbi nsw Aus
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    69
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    364

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    I remember building an aviary for a bloke. He had some 20 X 20mm X 1MM(?) RHS. he said I could use his new CIG handyman stick welder. It was pre Inverter Welders. I think the welder went up to 130 Amps but they must have been small amps. I could weld 2 rods of 12# electrodes then the thing just stopped and I would wait for 10-15 minutes before the cut out in the welder was ready to continue. I went home and bought back my Gasweld/CIP manufactured Stick Welder and finished off all the welding without the welder raising a sweat
    Just do it!

    Kind regards Rod

  4. #19
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    Adelaide
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    Quote Originally Posted by RustyArc View Post
    The problem is that those units have a 10A breaker, whereas a GPO circuit has at least a 16A breaker. So even a 130A inverter with a 10A plug would trip that unit.
    I must have been lucky, on the occasions I've run the Fronius off the converter away from my workshop it's been fine. Mind you I'm only running the welder at 60-80A in those instances.

  5. #20
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
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    Canberra
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gavin Newman View Post
    I'm only running the welder at 60-80A in those instances.
    Yes, I imagine it'd be fine at those kinds of amps - I was able to run my little 130A unit off a cheap-arsed 2kVA Bunnings generator up to about 90A, provided I was *very* careful about my arc-striking technique.

  6. #21
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    Aug 2008
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    Adelaide
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    Quote Originally Posted by RustyArc View Post
    Yes, I imagine it'd be fine at those kinds of amps - I was able to run my little 130A unit off a cheap-arsed 2kVA Bunnings generator up to about 90A, provided I was *very* careful about my arc-striking technique.
    Exactly. It's not ideal but at some race tracks they only have 10A GPOs in the pits so we get by with what we have in an emergency. Phillip Island on the other hand is heaven, the pit garages have 10A, 15A & 3 Phase on tap.

  7. #22
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    mundubbera
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    75
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    8

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    I have owned a Cigweld 171 ti for about the last 12 years or so and would be lost without it, any welding away from the workshop this is the only way to go to my way of thinking.I have never used the TIG side only because of the cost of the rent on the gas bottle but with Bunning's, just got a "d" size oxy for $269 and they reckon they will refund me $200 when I take the bottle back unbelievable and according to there website also Trade Tools (haven't checked them out personally but will next time I go in there) have a similar plan with the 'E' size in Mig gas and and straight argon I think it is so who knows.I have the model that is about 60% duty cycle at full amps cost me over a $1000 way back then.Not sure how many hours it has done but it would be heaps.Have used another Cigweld welder looked identical same amps etc. but I knew the bloke that owned it had only paid $450 brand new I thought he had got a real bargain until I looked on back of it and I think from memory had something like a 35% duty cycle at full amps and I have heard that some of these were a bit sus

  8. #23
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
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    Far West Wimmera
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    63
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    One thing to check when buying gas cylinders is whether they can be returned for a refund. I bought an E size thru a Gas Weld outlet and was told they won't refund. They are the only place within 400km that sell them as far as I could determine so I went ahead. Most people would keep them anyway, but it is good to know your position.

    Dean

  9. #24
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
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    Canberra
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    Quote Originally Posted by Oldneweng View Post
    One thing to check when buying gas cylinders is whether they can be returned for a refund. I bought an E size thru a Gas Weld outlet and was told they won't refund.
    This is a really good point - I also have a Gasweld E size, and at the time I got it, it was pretty much the best deal going, but I'm stuck with it, and if Gasweld go tits-up, I'm probably screwed. If I was buying today, it'd be Bunnings without a doubt. The D-size bottles are a little more expensive to run, but if a better deal comes along, you can return the bottle and get your deposit back.

  10. #25
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
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    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    That was part of my thinking as well - as Westfarmers owns Bunnings and Coregas, I doubt that Bunnings will stop stocking gas soon. Some of the other outlets for gas I was not so sure of. The other issue was that Bunnings are open 7 days a week, so running out on a Sunday is not necessarily a problem.

    Michael

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