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Thread: Entry level AC/DC tig welder
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8th May 2020, 10:03 PM #16
I personally would not recommend modifying a plug (either changing it from a 15A to a 10A plug, or giving a 15A plug grinder surgery). And any modifications you do to it, would void any standards it had. Not to mention any warranty you might need to claim in the future.
Most welders out there will (should) have the plug that is suitable for the amount of current it draws. This is an engineering control. In addition to all the engineering controls that live in your circuit board, the type/size of wire that the sparky used, as well as cable runs, insulation grades... so much stuff that the layman won't know about.
If you are in a workplace where a sparky tests and tags equipment on a periodic basis, then they would probably have something to say about a power hungry machine being fitted with a 10A plug.
Just get the right power point fitted. Get the biggest power supply you can afford to the point where you will be welding, and you will get all the power out of your welder that you paid for, and you will not have nuisance trips, or productivity losses.
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8th May 2020, 10:08 PM #17Novice
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9th May 2020, 11:46 AM #18Diamond Member
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I have a 200A UniMIG AC/DC which is a re-badged Jasic machine, and UniMIG include the Jasic logo on their machines, as it's kind of a sign of quality i.e. Jasic are a reasonably-regarded Chinese manufacturer. Those "Viper" machines clearly aren't from Jasic, but that's not to say they might be good machines. My machine is pretty much OK, except for a stupid "feature" when in AC, if you adjust the amps, it resets any AC balance you've set.
As for the 10A plug, they've most likely achieved that by running at a low duty cycle - in reality, the machine can be drawing *much* more than 10A, but only for brief periods, so the heat build up in the circuit breaker is kept below its tripping threshold. For a lot of TIG work by a hobbyist, this short duty cycle wouldn't be a problem, but if you're looking to weld aluminium, that's one application where a lot more current is needed due to the thermal conductivity of the metal.
Getting a 15A socket installed is a much better option than bodges like a short lead with a 15A socket and a 10A plug. Hopefully it's not too expensive.
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10th May 2020, 09:31 PM #19Member
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- Feb 2012
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- Sydney
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When you're talking to your electrician about a 15 amp plug (and circuit), ask him also about fitting a Type D circuit breaker (homes generally have Type C). Type D have a higher trip current and are more tolerant of the initial current draw that welders sometimes incur. At Tafe, we had a lot of older Jasic / Unimigs (probably similar to RustyArc's machine) and they just kept performing despite the students' best efforts. I use a Token Tools machine at home (as do several other members here) and can endorse their quality and support. There's a saying that goes something like - if you go a bit above what you're prepared to pay, then it's often a better purchasing decision in the long run.
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