What's the difference between the two types when AC welding? I've heard people say that the newer inverters are a lot easier or produce cleaner welds, but I don't think I've ever used one before. Just curious what the difference is for the welder, I understand the electronic difference.

 

Comparing the 2 different machines is comparing apples to oranges. For instance, the newer Dynasty has all the new advanced wave features. I THINK the new inverter machines have a cleaning feature when welding AC but I'm not sure if the transformers have that or not. Hmm there's so much.. Lets see, what else............

 

What do you mean by a cleaning feature? Is that different than the cleaning/penetration balance on my older machine? On my machine and the one I have primarily used before, When welding AC/Aluminium I set it to AC, high frequency on continuous, set the amps and do it up. My Sync has no options really other than that stuff, and postflow timer. There is an optional pulser but I don't have it and I have never used one before.

What I mean though is when you actually have your hands on it and you're using it, how does it weld differently?

 

With inverters you can adjust the Hz at which the AC switches from DCEP to DCEN. Transformers switch at 60hz where as with the inverters to can make them switch up to 250hz. When it flip flops at a higher rate you tungsten will not ball as much and welds will be cleaner. Inverters also use less power and the dynasty can be wired for 110v as well. And as far as the pulser, it helps keep the heat down when welding on thin gauge stuff.

 

The latest inverters (DYN350/DYN700) series let you increase the AC frequency to 400hz. At that frequency you can fusion weld aluminum tubing together. We had the first generation inverters (DYN300DX) and you couldn't do that, not even close (I think those went to 200hz or 250hz can't remember). The old transfomer machines run at 60hz fixed. The inverters let you do triangle, square, advanced square, etc.

 

i dont want a new one till it can do octagon, then im gonnna get it

M@

 

I know you're asking about the actual difference in WELDING.

I haven't used one either, but I've heard that the higher frequency of the AC (not the high frequency) makes a narrower, sharper arc, which translates into smaller welds at higher heat levels. I have seen really small fillet welds on aluminum that I could never reproduce, my puddle is much wide at that heat level. I think this is where the inverter really shines.

 

I asked this same question in the "post your best welds" thread. I was also curious about using an inverter vs. transformer machine.
When I bought my welder approximately 6-7 years ago I dont think they even had an inverter that I was aware of. I havent had the pleasure of using an inverter yet !! It seems as though the weld quality is much better IMO. Iam sure that you can get the same weld quality with a transformer but it may be harder to achieve without the adjustability that an inverter has.

 

Well, I think the only thing really nice about them is the ability to break out of the 60 hz A/C wave. So I figure there is absolutely no change in DC welding. But sometimes I hate welding AC with my Precision 185, especially tight fillet welds, because the puddle is so wide, sometimes I end up making a mess.

 

inverter machines also sound way different when you strike up an arc.
they are way higher pitch and louder.

 

Nope they have had inverter tigs for almost 20 years now. My dynasty 300dx must be at least 8 years old now. The inverters often have high speed pulse options which can really help shape your arc in both DC and AC, I'll take a inverter any day over a transformer machine.

 

I figured that they have been making inverters for longer but when I bought my machine I was not even aware they existed.

 

That's probably because powcon wasn't a very popular company and most people were unaware of them until Miller bought them out along with the inverter technology. I LOVE MY DYNASTY 200DX...

 

GiantTech carries a full line of inverter welding and cutting machines....

www.plasmametalcutter.com

 

To bad everything on that website is garbage. Get a life you scumbag..

 

we have both kinds of machines here...seems most of the guys prefer the sycrowave for AL...who knows lol

 

Thanks for the unkind words but I think the people who left the 1000 plus/ 100 percent feedback on EBay would beg to differ with your opinion.

 

Those are the people that can't tell the difference between **** and quality.

 

im really not calling anyone out here being a noob myself, but SD_lurker where would you suggest i buy a TIG welder (i guess you would call it a starter kit) from? i'd like to pick up the hobby since its relatively cheap compared to buying the final product of manifolds, exhausts. plus it'd be kinda nice to play with fire

haha i have an SSR header, and a Lovefab turbo manifold... im pretty sure the original cost of those 2 items beat out the price of a nice TIG setup already.

 

why not go to a local welding supply store? there are 4 in my town and i'm in the middle of no where.

i bought a sync 200 runner picked up for $1700 plus the tank lease of $110 came with everything but the plug in the wall.

they can also help you with locating a used unit.

 

i was thinking that from reading a couple of people suggesting that and it made sense (since i would be going to them for raw materials anyways) i guess im off to the industrial district during the work week next week

 

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/tls/1285295402.html take a peek!!! Precision Tig for $1k!! I already have my Dynasty 200dx that I picked up for 2300 with everything even a cart and and water-cooled torch on craigslist with only 6 hours of use so its good to keep an eye out for steals!!

 

Yeah well you can't get them for that cheap anymore. That's a really good price and you should be really thankful for paying that much. Good thing is that when you go to sell it you won't lose a dime.

 

So true. We sold our 300dx's for more then we payed for them new (2-3 years used).

 

is it the tungsten sharpening they don't like?