AHP Owners/Users Thread. No Trolling unless you have used/own one!

[turismolover22]

Yep, its a complete unit. You can tell if its the newest installation by the knob orientation. First and second gen have 8 knobs, 4 to each "level" The newest unit has 9, 3x3 orientation. This is the one with frequency control.

[soutthpaw]

I've only seen 2 points with one gap on the inverter style and 4 points with 2 gaps on the older transformer machines. My understanding from a discussion with Terry is these points only ignite to start the arc. After that, the HF is controlled or (simulated) completely electronically by the IBGT's

Yes it's the complete machine. Exactly like I bought over to your place. Only thing I would order (eBay) is a gas lens kit, esp as you have helium too. It the seller I have bought from several times has their own reg internet store too
http://www.river-weld.com/ ordered stuff from them several times both eBay and store.
Here is the adapter if you plan to add a water cooled torch
http://www.riverweldstore.com/index....oducts_id=7713

[Equilibrium]

soutthpaw> Ahhh…. thank you so very much for the clarification. Please understand my last reply in this thread was based on your initial PM to me in which you asked for my phone number and street address referencing a man named Oleg combined with this statement from an earlier post, “If you are able to arrange a local Welding Web meet, I'd be happy to work with you and see about getting a machine (maybe one of the AHP units we have now) sent your way.” Evidently, there truly was a little bit of wire crossing….
--
I truly believe if it’s reviews the company is going for…. it would be a win win situation for the AHP company owner if he gave a free demo TIG machine and some consumables to whoever this “Bub” member is that I ran across in another thread. The gentleman has 2 classes of 20 students each and is out there expending his personal resources dumpster diving to keep kids going in a program that is unconscionably underfunded with a budget that is so ridiculously low that…. the thought crossed my mind the school administrators want the kids in those welding classes failing so they can pull the program and route the funds elsewhere. This “Bud” is an extremely dedicated educator deserving of any breaks he can get IMHO. Again, please take a close look at post #14 here, http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...amp-or-newbies.
--
* Guaranteed review from a professional weldor…. cost of one TIG machine
* Potential revenue from future sales…. unlimited…. “Bub” and all 40 of his students plus word of mouth sales
* Good Will associated with lending a helping hand to someone like a “Bub” treading water trying to keep an incredibly valuable program afloat for OUR children’s benefit…. PRICELESS
--
As for me…. this thread has been extremely enlightening. Many thanks to all those hosting weldoramas so little people like me can get a chance to trial machines we wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

[Insaneride]

Southpaw, thanks for the explanation for the points. If I understand, the two point system starts the hi frequency and IGBT's take over. In transformers, the 3 or 4 points are continually used for hi frequency? Also, thanks again for the Al electrodes. What polarity do I use? BTW, I cleaned up the garage, got light to the weld binch and I can dig up some Al if you can demo it again. Lets get an earlier start and I will order a pizza or something. I worked yesterday and will again today but will have time off later this week.

I have to say, I was impressed with your aluminum weld skills and use of balance on dirty Al to get decent welds. I believe you mentioned using a trick from Zapster for washing out crud on impossible to clean Al. It worked.

[soutthpaw]

Equilibrium, unfortunately Bub's story is not unique. It's more the norm, when I was teaching 6 class of auto, metal and wood shop I had $1000 for the entire year. I tried everything to get donations from business and individuals but the power hungry admin refused any attempt I tried to develop donations of funds to the program.
The education system has failed the vocational bound student. I contacted all the big name welding companies with huge marketing budgets to no avail. They are not interested in donating to some small program. So if these companies won't do it. Expecting some small mom and pop company on a very right profit margin to start giving away machines is a bit naive I'm afraid. I left the school because the superintendent had the entire board eating out of her had so there was no resource for me to challenge her for better funding our support of the program. Bing my wife taught there too, I could not make waves agree writing either for fear of reprisal against her. The students ultimately, were the ones who really got screwed. Before I started they had not have a voc teacher in a year and subsequently had a new one every year or two for basically the same reasons. I have real issues with working for stupid people.

[soutthpaw]

Southpaw, thanks for the explanation for the points. If I understand, the two point system starts the hi frequency and IGBT's take over. In transformers, the 3 or 4 points are continually used for hi frequency? Also, thanks again for the Al electrodes. What polarity do I use? BTW, I cleaned up the garage, got light to the weld binch and I can dig up some Al if you can demo it again. Lets get an earlier start and I will order a pizza or something. I worked yesterday and will again today but will have time off later this week.

I have to say, I was impressed with your aluminum weld skills and use of balance on dirty Al to get decent welds. I believe you mentioned using a trick from Zapster for washing out crud on impossible to clean Al. It worked.

The aluminum rods run on DC+ but you can try AC too. I got a box of Aluminum scraps that Terry gave me that we can weld on too. Email or PM me and we can set something up. Pizza Yes, transformer machines run the points continuously when welding AC HF. One reason they are much bigger.

[turismolover22]

Has anyone ran a stic in A/C mode on these? Fron what I gathered, it didnt work. But if it does, sweet! Id also assume to run dcep rods to switch the leads around on the panel, but with a manual with about ziltch info I wasnt sure if the machince could or would handle it.

[jfive]

So is there a discount you guys are using for welding web? I see 700.00

[kevinacaron]

That is the old price.

$650 for the 2014 model and $800 for the 2015.

The 2014 used to be $700.

[moe113097]

got my machine, definitely built well big step up from airco 160 and for $650 bucks can't beat.now just need to practice and practice to get my welds to look nice

Moe

[Louie1961]

Congrats!

[soutthpaw]

So a quick update, I'm at Terry's shop right now, we set up the AHP. I just ran it on DC with 100% helium and some 3/8" plate, Was at about 120-130 amps running the beads. It does start on helium relatively well and does hold the arc fine once started. Only did a quick wire brush. The arc looks quite different with helium so need to get used to seeing the haze and helium puddle. Also really needs to be much cleaner. But pics anyway.
It's also safe to say that the torch will get too hot to hold before hitting the duty cycle (which we didn't) on this machine.

[AKweldshop]

[turismolover22]

Yea, I cant recall the advertized duty cycle, but I have yet to trip it at all. Highest Ive driven it is 150-160 Amps on A/C, approx 60-70% DCEN balance.

[turismolover22]

And that was welding nearly nonstop on some AL projects, nearly 3 hrs worth of work.

[shovelon]

DJ was able to AC weld long enough to get the rubber smoking on the torch.

[limegreentj]

So a quick update, I'm at Terry's shop right now, we set up the AHP. I just ran it on DC with 100% helium and some 3/8" plate, Was at about 120-130 amps running the beads. It does start on helium relatively well and does hold the arc fine once started. Only did a quick wire brush. The arc looks quite different with helium so need to get used to seeing the haze and helium puddle. Also really needs to be much cleaner. But pics anyway.
It's also safe to say that the torch will get too hot to hold before hitting the duty cycle (which we didn't) on this machine.

you welded that alu on dc?

[soutthpaw]

you welded that alu on dc?

Yep. Machine set to kill with pedal. Once I got going with the bead was around the stated amps, (glanced up at display) which shows actual amps when welding.
Only my second time using Helium and DC. I'll try again another time. Hopefully I can correct some of my issues and technique. I know the mistakes I made, just need some more seat time.

[TigMonster]

Looking good! Come here and ill show you how to use that lol

[AKweldshop]

What?

I was just flipping his picture for him.....

[TigMonster]

What?

I was just flipping his picture for him.....

The force is not strong with me.

[shovelon]

DJ was able to AC weld long enough to get the rubber smoking on the torch.

Spent some me time yesterday trying to duplicate Southpaws smoking torch. He must have seasoned it pretty good because I could not get it to smoke. I felt the torch get warm, but then the welds started getting crappy. Checked everything. Went at it again, then about the 4 minute mark, crappy welds getting crappier, I stopped. The torch was blowing smoke. Hmmm.

Took a lunch break, went at it again and all was fine. Cool! Did some weaves and then crappy welds again. Eff it, kept going. Passed the 4 minute mark, 5 minute mark, then gave up. Torch was blowing smoke like a smoke bomb, but the torch was not that hot. All I can reckon is the power cable was burning off the varnish, or the copper cable was greasy, or glazing the ID of the power cable hose. Ground side was fine. Machine was cool. I will get to the bottom of this.

Let the torch cool and did some steel and all was fine and dandy. Went home for the weekend.

[Gamble]

Show me a pic of the torch. If it's a vinyl or braided what's happening is that the lubricate they use to pull the copper line through the exterior cable is probably burning off. And no it's not normal either

[turismolover22]

Never had my torch smoke like that. But I have gotten it hot. Let me know what you guys find out.

[shovelon]

Show me a pic of the torch. If it's a vinyl or braided what's happening is that the lubricate they use to pull the copper line through the exterior cable is probably burning off. And no it's not normal either