[Byebyebigblock]

I see older post that are similiar just need deciding. Big old strong welder probably a real power hog compared to inverter but the cost of machine is cheaper not sure if it's actually better. Just needed help to determine what to do.
Light Fabrication ,body shop type work maybe aluminum is the type of work I do.
Thank you

 

[Oldendum]

"Power hog" is relative. Older transformer machines require greater amperage on the service but actual kilowatt hours on the meter and cost may not be all that different unless your power company charges for demand or kVA vs. kWH. For individual hobbyists running one machine at a time, the difference in power consumption and $ is pennies per hour.

I have a really old Synch 250, fed with a 70 Amp breaker on my 100A panel in the garage. Could use more, but it's OK.

 

[Capt B]

I have a older syncrowave early 80s if I remember correctly mines on a 100 amp breaker. I'm very happy with it.

 

[Louie1961]

The real issue with the syncrowave is the cost of the wire required to run it. The manual recommends 6 gauge wire and a 110 amp breaker. A similar size inverter (Dynasty 280) on single phase, 230V power uses 10 gauge wire and a 80 amp fuse. The cost difference on the wire is the only real issue for most folks. The difference in cost of the power consumed is going to be negligible unless you run the machine for hours every day. At 250 amps a Syncrowave 250 consumes around 11.4KW of power versus around 7KW for the dynasty (both per the miller manuals). Rounding up, lets call it a 5KW difference. At my current electric rate of 19 cents per KW hour (delivered), every operating hour costs me about a dollar more than if I owned a dynasty. Over a 2000 hour work year, that might make a difference. For me as a hobbyist, the extra $40 a year doesn't make a difference to me.

 

[Louie1961]

PS, I love my Syncrowave, BTW. It is a very sweet stick welder in addition to being a great TIG welder. I actually spend more time stick welding with it. If you find a bargain on a working syncrowave, I wouldn't hesitate to go that route. The only real downside is the size of the thing. about as large as a small dorm fridge, give or take. and heavy....like 400 pounds heavy. You are not going to want to move it around a lot. But that's why I have a 25 foot torch and foot pedal, and 50 foot stick welding leads.

 

[Byebyebigblock]

Thank so for all the great feed back it does seem to me like a lot of machine for under $900
I was looking at Everlast 210ext tig.
My 100 amp service has room in the box for breaker so power wise I should be good. And great kilowatt hour explanation.
It is large and does way 400# I looked up manuals.
Anything I should be looking for when first look at it or when I try it out?

 

[Louie1961]

just make sure it works, and the amps adjust accordingly. These machines have a control board/circuit board that essentially controls the amperage output. If that goes bad, they cost a bit of money to repair or replace. The number one symptom of a bad board is either it will have no amps, or only max amps, and the ability to cotrol the amps is gone. So go weld with the thing, make sure the dial on the face appropriately controls the amps when stick welding and then make sure the foot pedal does the same when TIG welding. Test all the functions. Good luck

 

[Byebyebigblock]

Thank you Louie1961
I see you also love in Connecticut. Where?
Also saw an older post from selling a 250. Do you still have yours?

 

[VPT]

I like my 250 as well. Mine is ran off a 8-3 soow "extension cord" with a 70amp breaker on a 100amp box. I use the same 8-3 cord to power my 250sw, 250mig, plasma cutter, and oven when needed. One outlet to power whatever I need at the time.

 

[Louie1961]

Yeah, I live in Thomaston. Still have the Syncrowave. Tried to sell it last year, but never got an offer that I thought was reasonable. I am happy to have kept it.

 

[That Guy There]

I love my syncrowave , as others have said there not really power hogs, I run mine on a 60amp breaker without a problem. Brought is used from clist.

 

[Kelvin]

Another consideration, IMHO, is complexity and repair cost. Unless you're somebody like 7A749 or Duane, if your Dynasty quits, you're probably not going to be able to fix it yourself. With a Sync, you might, with some help from the folks here. The Dynasty has a lot more computer boards than the Sync, which can cost $$$$$ to replace or have repaired. The Syncs have been around since about 1978, so they have a much longer track record than the Dynasty and other inverters. Also, if you plan to weld much aluminum, there's a big difference in duty cycle between the Dynasty 200 and the Sync 250. At 200A output, the Dynasty 200 duty cycle is only 20% where with the Sync 250, it's 60%. And going to a bigger Dynasty is going to cost $$$$. Unless I was in a production environment with people welding all day, every day, the difference in power consumption would be my last consideration. YMMV.

 

[VPT]

And it is harder for people to steal a SW.

 

[ODB]

Another sync 250 checking in. Bought a used 1999/2000 syncrowave 250 for cheap. Machine was once used in the rocky mountain bikes factory in vancouver. It's an awesome machine, as long as you don't have to move it around much. 25' leads are a must. In the 4 years I've had it the only maintenance I've had to do is clean and adjust the HF points.