Question about 3 in 1 controls

[zeke]

I talked to Simon yesterday and got some good answers in preparation to what I think will be a purchase of one of his units. The 518 D and 520 D machines are nearly identical, but for 50 bucks one can have a few more ponies. Might as well run a machine under it's max capabilities as much as possible in my thinking. Especially for 50 stones.

But, what's the deal on the current control knob? It looks to have a high and low range which I'm familiar with on older transformer SMAW machines. When talking to Simon I assumed this control was tapped, not a potentiometer type. Is this correct?

If so, how many settings?

TIA.

[longevity-inc.com]

Zeke,

Sorry if you misunderstood me, the foot control on the machine is a potentiometer - which means you can regulate the amount of amps on the tig machine. In addition, you can set the maximum amps of the tig on the pedal so say you do not want to go over 100amps when fully depressing the pedal, you can do that with this unit.

Otherwise, you can set the amps on the machine without using the pedal with control knob on the front.

The WeldMax 520D is almost the same unit as the 518D, but you got more power on the tig side, which also means you can run the machine at a higher amps with a 100% duty cycle.

Both machines come with full accessories.

Thanks

Simon

[zeke]

Thank you and I don't think I misunderstood. The question is does the knob control SMAW in a tapped fashion or continuous potentiometer type. Here I'm only taking about the controls on the face of the unit, not the pedal. However, it's good to know the the pedal is not simply an on-off switch, which would be rather poor design.

In addition, some the TIG work I will be doing will be difficult to use a foot pedal. I see finger controlled torches on the market that would suit my needs in some applications. Do some other TIG torches marry up well to the Longevity machine?

Again, thanks.

[longevity-inc.com]

Sorry i misread. Thought you were talking about the tig. For stick, it basically stays at one amp setting unless changed at the front of the unit. The amps do not fluctuate.
So i believe there is no potentiometer on the sick side. (will confirm with my tech.)

The pedal in this case would not work or is not designed to use with the stick.

For tig, you can use a WeldCraft torch on the machine and add a watercooler as someone on this forum has done so. Please search the forum in other manufacturers.


Thanks,

Simon

[zeke]

Simon, let's cut to the chase and make this simple. On the front of the machine, does the knob click when turned (tapped) or turn smooth (infinitely variable)?

I thought this was a welding forum. Is everyone having trouble understanding me? ;)

[longevity-inc.com]

Zeke,

I certainly must have. The knob is a smooth turn knob that sets the amps you want. The digital display tells you what the amps are set to and there is no clicking or increments that stop at say 10 20 30 40 etc... basically you can the amps at any desired setting.

Hope that helps.

Simon

[zeke]

Yes it does. Much obliged.

[longevity-inc.com]

Thank you very much. Sorry if i had everything confused from the beginning. If there are any other questions, please feel free to call or email.

I believe you will enjoy one of our units and will be surprised by the quality and capability of the machine .

Thank you

Simon