Inverter Power Supplies* |
Today's technology that has become available to the people like you (the people associated
with welding) - the blacksmiths, is in the form of Inverter Welding power sources.
Inverter power sources usually weigh less than eighty pounds and automatically connect to
the power that they are plugged into. Inverter power sources cost less to operate,
using less electrical current than their older counterparts. Example: a
current inverter 300 amp power source operating on 230 volt 3-phase power requires 30
amps, 12.2 KVA of power, compared to an older 300 amp welding power source with a mag amp
(electric controlled) that requires 42 amps at 17 KVA.Also, this machine needs to be reconnected manually if hooked up to different voltage. The fan runs continually in the old unit, which is very annoying when talking on the phone and you have hearing like I do. If the machine goes down and it needs to be fixed, the inverter can be loaded in a car and brought to the service station and checked relatively easy. If the conventional machine goes |
 down, try and get the wife to put
that in the trunk of the car and haul it in to the distributor. Most inverter power
sources have a pre-check procedure before it is plugged in and about 95 percent chance of
finding the problem. A lot of problems can be discovered when the covers are
removed. Most of the inverters also have a wind tunnel designed into them to keep
the electrical components out of the path of dirt and contaminants that can cause
overheating and eventual failure.Most inverters are multi-process power sources offering not only wire welding but also stick and DC TIG and are very effective in all these operations. Check with your electric company and see for yourself what savings, if any, would be available to you as a shop owner by investing in an inverter power source. Thank you for allowing me to share with you some of my knowledge on this subject. I truly enjoy being associated with Iowa Blacksmith and Weldors Association. If I can be of any further help in answering your questions, please feel free to contact me. Jim Lawless |
| * previously printed in the Iowa Blacksmith & Weldors Association Newsletter |
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