--Just curious: if I used my voltmeter to measure output voltage
on my Econotig would I wind up with a pile of slag?
- posted
17 years ago
Measure output voltage?
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- posted
17 years ago
No, not if you're measuring voltage, and you have the HF turned off. If
you tried to measure the amperage with a standard voltmeter, however
... !!
As you probably already know, you'll get different voltage if you measure it when it is actually welding than when it is open circuit. Hmm -- I wonder what you would get if you tried to measure it with the HF turned on -- I'm guessing it would be unpleasant ...
As you probably already know, you'll get different voltage if you measure it when it is actually welding than when it is open circuit. Hmm -- I wonder what you would get if you tried to measure it with the HF turned on -- I'm guessing it would be unpleasant ...
- posted
17 years ago
No, it should be fine.
I meter welding machines all the time.
On older MIG machines it is the only way to get a true reading of voltage and amperage output. I use a standard Fluke 87 meter with a amperage clamp.
Why would you want to know voltage on a econotig?
BTW the open circuit volts will be much higher than if you are welding so get a friend to meter it while you weld.
BTW anybody who needs a AC/DC 600 amp amperage clamp probe should take a look at these.
On older MIG machines it is the only way to get a true reading of voltage and amperage output. I use a standard Fluke 87 meter with a amperage clamp.
Why would you want to know voltage on a econotig?
BTW the open circuit volts will be much higher than if you are welding so get a friend to meter it while you weld.
BTW anybody who needs a AC/DC 600 amp amperage clamp probe should take a look at these.
formatting link
I bought one and it works perfectly.
Around $50 instead of the usual $150 - $200.
You only have to add the bannana plugs for your meter.
Set the meter to Milivolts DC.
- posted
17 years ago
Likely the only reading that would be somewhat accurate is for the AC
setting since voltmeters are calibrated for AC sine waves. High ripple (that
is no or small output capacitors) DC would read wrong.
Billh
- posted
17 years ago
You would think the HF would kill a Digital VOM, but it doesn't. A guy
in the lab just proved it a couple of weeks ago when he inadvertently
turned off the LiftArc and turned on the HF start.
- posted
17 years ago
We tried an ampclamp with mixed results. On the Dimetrics Centaur supply
it works fine, on the Maxstar 152 it was not so accurate. In that case
we use a precision shunt.
The Maxstar 152 runs on an automated lathe welder. We measure the
voltage when we calibrate the Arc Voltage Controller.
- posted
17 years ago
Just don't count on getting it away with it. I zapped a Fluke 83 while
troubleshooting a welder because I forgot to turn off the HF before
checking the output.
Fluke's lifetime guarantee is a Good Thing.
Ned Simmons
Fluke's lifetime guarantee is a Good Thing.
Ned Simmons
- posted
17 years ago
Steamer - a volt meter draws micro amps, so it won't steal much current.
The meter might get zapped - I'd have it on the Highest voltage when
striking an arc (HV OSC functional then) but once an arc is obtained, it
should be just the normal voltage.
Might think of putting a Neon bulb across the meter leads. Make a rig - so the bulb is across the leads - no meter. Fire up the Econotig and see if it lights up. You should have a resistor in series with the Neon to limit the current in the bulb - maybe a 80k or 100k resistor. The bulb might have one already. Radio shack has them - some in 'modules' with resistors.
If the bulb stays on all of the time, it means the Tig is sending out periodic pulses. If it goes dark during work, then measure the leads with your meter.
Neon fires at about 68 volts. Some resistors and some gases make it near 90.
It all depends on what the volt meter can handle on a specific range. The booklet might indicate this.
Martin
Might think of putting a Neon bulb across the meter leads. Make a rig - so the bulb is across the leads - no meter. Fire up the Econotig and see if it lights up. You should have a resistor in series with the Neon to limit the current in the bulb - maybe a 80k or 100k resistor. The bulb might have one already. Radio shack has them - some in 'modules' with resistors.
If the bulb stays on all of the time, it means the Tig is sending out periodic pulses. If it goes dark during work, then measure the leads with your meter.
Neon fires at about 68 volts. Some resistors and some gases make it near 90.
It all depends on what the volt meter can handle on a specific range. The booklet might indicate this.
Martin
- posted
17 years ago
Many volt meters are True RMS measurements. My Tektronix is that way.
Martin
Martin
- posted
17 years ago
If your meter is one of the cheap ones ($3.99-$39.00) it is probably
average reading not true RMS. If it says its "RMS." reading the value
will be accurate. Average reading meters are cheaper to make and are
calibrated for a sinusoidal waveform not the stuff coming out of newer
welders.
- posted
17 years ago
I use this one
Gunner
"Gunner, you are the same ridiculous liberal f--k you ever where." Scipio
formatting link
Tested against my Amprobe..its dead on the money.
Ive not tried it on DC however...(making a note)Gunner
"Gunner, you are the same ridiculous liberal f--k you ever where." Scipio
- posted
17 years ago
My welding machine repair guy uses Simpson 260s for this.
I just gave him two minty 260-8s in a trade. They drop them, but never burn em out according to him. He laughed when I started to cringe when he was testing out the Tig/Stick 250 Lincoln I bought out of his junk pile.
Gunner
"Gunner, you are the same ridiculous liberal f--k you ever where." Scipio
I just gave him two minty 260-8s in a trade. They drop them, but never burn em out according to him. He laughed when I started to cringe when he was testing out the Tig/Stick 250 Lincoln I bought out of his junk pile.
Gunner
"Gunner, you are the same ridiculous liberal f--k you ever where." Scipio
- posted
17 years ago
I have one like that and it doesn't do DC amps.
To dial in large wire feeds I need DC amps.
For example: 1/16" dual shield wire has a sweet spot at 23 volts 200
amps.
To get the amps right you have to dial the wire speed while somebody
else welds.
Most modern 1/16" dual shield wires work best at 23 volts, 200 amps. Being able to dial in the machines faster is a real time saver.
Most modern 1/16" dual shield wires work best at 23 volts, 200 amps. Being able to dial in the machines faster is a real time saver.
- posted
17 years ago
Bummer...sigh
Thanks!
Gunner
"Gunner, you are the same ridiculous liberal f--k you ever where." Scipio
Thanks!
Gunner
"Gunner, you are the same ridiculous liberal f--k you ever where." Scipio
- posted
17 years ago
Oh Great Font of Welding Wisdom!
Might one coax you into sharing the 'sweet spots' for other wires that you might know of?
Did you get the case of diet Squirt I left at the mouth of the cave?
Stuart
Might one coax you into sharing the 'sweet spots' for other wires that you might know of?
Did you get the case of diet Squirt I left at the mouth of the cave?
Stuart
- posted
17 years ago
1/16" dual shield is thge one we go through at school by tyhe pallet
load, so it's settings are tattooed on my brain.
It wouldn't be hard to figure out the others.
I may have some time soon to dial in some other wires and write them
down.
Yes, but where is the leg of roast beast? I don't know how I am supposed to answer all these welding questions without protien.....
Yes, but where is the leg of roast beast? I don't know how I am supposed to answer all these welding questions without protien.....
- posted
17 years ago
: Why would you want to know voltage on a econotig?
--I've decided to snag a Ready Welder, but they say it needs 12v
to operate. It got me to thinking I don't have clue one what the Econotig
puts out..
- posted
17 years ago
If you get the model# 10250 it comes with a 12v transformer to drive
the feeder motor.
- posted
17 years ago
> >
>
>>>>
>>
>>> --Just curious: if I used my voltmeter to measure output voltage
>>>on my Econotig would I wind up with a pile of slag?
>>
>>No, it should be fine.
>>I meter welding machines all the time.
>>
>>On older MIG machines it is the only way to get a true reading of
>>voltage and amperage output.
>>I use a standard Fluke 87 meter with a amperage clamp.
>>
>>Why would you want to know voltage on a econotig?
>>
>>BTW the open circuit volts will be much higher than if you are welding
>>so get a friend to meter it while you weld.
>>
>>BTW anybody who needs a AC/DC 600 amp amperage clamp probe should take
>>a look at these.
>>
>>
formatting link
>>I bought one and it works perfectly.
>>Around $50 instead of the usual $150 - $200.
>>You only have to add the bannana plugs for your meter.
>>Set the meter to Milivolts DC.
>
>
> I use this one
>
formatting link
> Tested against my Amprobe..its dead on the money.
> Ive not tried it on DC however...(making a note)
>
> Gunner
>
> "Gunner, you are the same ridiculous liberal f--k you ever where."
> Scipio
- posted
17 years ago
Model #10000ADP (adapter) also comes with the 12V transformer.