Esab/Lorch tig Deal..

[metalman21]

What does the 301i have for the connections, 50mm Dinse or Tweco?

[Brand X]

50mm Dinse
My 220 came with 2 male ends (same box as the 301)

Excellent stick welder. Powerful arc to say the least..

Added switch lets you set stick amps without unhooking the ft pedal.
Many reasons to have one made, and use.

[metalman21]

Well we lost some posts here that were made on the temporary forum.
I'd like to take a minute to thank those that answered my questions, it all worked out.
And finally I have the machine mobile in the shop on its own cart! Had it rigged up temporary with another water cooler, worked but not convenient.

Has a drawer for my torch parts, they never had a home before.

[Munkul]

That's a lovely welding cart.

[Brand X]

My cart with a Lorch on it.. Have too much stuff in the small shop to have any more carts.. This cart was built 15 + years ago, and had more machines on it then I can count too..

[metalman21]

I've been using the 301 a lot, working great!
I have questions regarding the fan function on the unit, I didn't find any details in the manual, unless I missed them.
The machine is extremely quiet. I can hear the fan go on for a second when switching the machine on but have yet to hear it while using the machine.
Is the fan function on demand when the machine gets to whatever temperature to require cooling?
Does the fan operate at different speeds, low to high depending on amount of cooling required?
I'm not complaining here, I listened to a constant fan (and cooler fan) for 35 years so this is different.

[metalman21]

I found one of the answers on the Esab web site in the "brochure".

Is the fan function on demand when the machine gets to whatever temperature to require cooling?

From the brochure:

Intelligent Heat Sensing Fan: Operates as needed to cool components and reduce airborne contaminants pulled through the power source.

As far as the fan having variable speed, not sure. I suppose it hasn't got warm enough, despite all the welding, for the fan to be needed.

Wondering how everyone else is liking their Esab/Lorch machines?

[Rondo]

I have a 301 but run it on 1ph. A friend has the same on 3ph. The fan is very quiet and definitely on demand. I also have other Lorch products and the fans almost never turn on and when they do you can hardly hear them. Top Notch products.

[metalman21]

I have a 301 but run it on 1ph. A friend has the same on 3ph. The fan is very quiet and definitely on demand. I also have other Lorch products and the fans almost never turn on and when they do you can hardly hear them. Top Notch products.

I can attest to the quiet, so quiet I almost thought something was wrong! I run my 301 on 3 phase but in reality I almost never need the extra punch it would provide. Maybe 3 phase is more efficient energy wise but probably something that is hard to tell the difference. The machines are definitely Top Notch.

[Brand X]

220 manual on page 3-29 has the fan test.. Just in case you want to check it. Machine is smart enough to let you know if there is a error there..

3 phase is nice with the 220i machine. just to get you to the 220 amp range. These are excellent machines, and probably my last AC/DC tig.. After using many top units, there is zero reason to try to upgrade, unless you need more power. The 301 was a great deal, but the $1000 price difference over the 220i was not in the cards for me.. For the $1500 + price total it will go down as one of the best deals on Amazon. Had a ton of them too..Although the $400 60i 3 phase plasma cutters were a heck of a deal too. Since it works perfect on my 15hp RPC. cuts though 1.5 inch without faulting .

The stick arc is really powerful on this machine.. Runs real hot for the amps.. Same with AC tig..

[Jawslandshark]

I have run the 301 hard on both single and 3 phase, I have noticed the fan comes on but have to try and listen for it. Been a very good welder. Based on the size you would never think how much it puts out. Not a single issue out of this unit so far, only really use it for aluminum, combined with a coolmate 3 and 20 series torch it's a workhorse.

[metalman21]

I have run the 301 hard on both single and 3 phase, I have noticed the fan comes on but have to try and listen for it. Been a very good welder. Based on the size you would never think how much it puts out. Not a single issue out of this unit so far, only really use it for aluminum, combined with a coolmate 3 and 20 series torch it's a workhorse.

Mine is set up the same (Binzel cooler same as Coolmate 3) and so far it's been great. Only thing I have to get used to is having to turn on the water cooler separate after having an outlet on my other machine for so many years.

[metalman21]

It's complete now!
Had a cover made to protect it but mostly to obscure and make it not be seen by the creeps who might look in the windows at night. The black nylon fabric is the same stuff used to make range bags.

[Munkul]

Cool setup the binzel coolers look awesome, too.

[metalman21]

Problem:
Can’t stick weld unless foot pedal is connected and pushed down all the way.
The stick icon (weld mode) doesn’t light by itself, lights along with 2T or 4T only.
I don’t stick very often but I don’t think that is normal. Used to disconnect the foot pedal and the stick would run at set max amps.
Don’t know if the photos will show the lit icons.


Went through this with a Esab tech on the phone, tried full reset, no dice.
I guess I’m going to find the closest service and have them look at it.

[Brand X]

Take your Preview switch out of the loop, and ft petal too..Doubt if it will help.. The 2t should not be on when in the stick mode..like you said...

[metalman21]

Yes, tried all that. The preview switch does nothing with the switches open but I disconnected it.
I was sure 2T or 4T was not supposed to be on with stick. This is going to be interesting, I’m very apprehensive about having it serviced. There’s a few listed between 1.5-2 hrs drive. I may call them before I commit to see if I can get feel if they seem knowledgeable. No way to know for sure.

[CRCFX]

Good morning. If anyone is interested, I'm going to list my ET 220i. I purchased it around the same time this thread was created (thanks for the tip to buy it on Amazon!), and all I have done is add the plug to the cord. It's been turned on, but never used. Thank you.

[metalman21]

I never updated the repair on my 301i.
Turned out there was an authorized repair service very close to me that I was familiar with. They have been in business for as long as I can remember and have a good reputation. Why they didn't show up on Esab's web site I don't know but a second call and another tech told me they can fix it. So no long trip to an unknown place.
Initially Esab wanted to deny the warranty service due to the machine (by serial number) being originally sold to Amazon in 2018 and it was just over the 3 years. Some phone calls and Amazon went right to bat and straightened that out quick. Amazon also mentioned Welder Repair & Rental Service, Inc. was a very good service.
Warranty authorized, my service place and Esab determined the machine needed a new control board and it was ordered. Then Esab dropped the ball, lost the paper work. My service guy went through the process again and straightened that out.
All said it was about 2 months from drop off and to pick up the machine. It works just fine. Hopefully it was just a just a fluke board and I get some years out of the machine.
Keep you receipts, the warranty starts from when you bought it.

[Munkul]

Shame that it died so fast. 2 months sounds about the same as it would be over here, maybe better. Lincoln and Esab have terrible service in the UK now, everything is centralised and the local shop repair techs aren't trained up on them any more.

Fingers crossed on it staying good for you

[metalman21]

It didn't actually die. I use it 99% for tig and it never skipped a beat. If I didn't switch it to stick I would have never known there was a problem. It was a control board that got stuck in 2T. It would burn sticks but only with the foot pedal connected and floored. That is as technical an answer I can give .

The down time might have been about half; 2 weeks for the repair center to get on it, they are busy. another week clearing up the warranty issue with Esab, thank Amazon for their support. Don't know if the board had to come from Germany with covid shut downs? Esab somehow got that delayed also.
Talking to the repair guy he said all the brands have problems with inverters. All the brands have world sourced parts.
If it was going to happen, better it happened within the warranty, Hope it stays good for a long time also .

Never going to let go of the old transformer. It was ready to go and I didn't lose any work in the process.

[metalman21]

Anyone know how to check "Hours" in the menu on the ET301i ? I could not find it in the manual.

[Rondo]

I'll check mine and see if I can find it.

[metalman21]

I'll check mine and see if I can find it.

Thank you. I might have missed it in the manual, I looked a few times. If you can't find it either I will call a Esab tech when I have time.
I hope it's not something only a technician can do via one of the boards.

[Rondo]

Thank you. I might have missed it in the manual, I looked a few times. If you can't find it either I will call a Esab tech when I have time.
I hope it's not something only a technician can do via one of the boards.

I couldn't find arc time in the menu. Usually Lorch is big on offering that. Good luck.