AC is AC, there is no difference.
Hello everyone. I recently bought a Lincoln AC 180S at a garage sale. I used to weld at my dad's shop 30+ years ago as a kid. I didn't really understand the details of welding back then...I just did it. Great experience to have. With my new garage sale find, I have started to go through it and clean it up. The switch wasn't working, the cables were bad, etc. All is coming together now. Even painted it w/ a new shiny red color.
I do have one question to start (I'm sure I'll have a bunch more later), does it matter which welding cable comes off the main tap (1 copper bar) - working electrode or ground? I took a picture of the setup as I was taking things apart, but just to be sure I wanted to ask. On mine, the ground clamp was going to the center tap. But this is where I got confused. I also just bought a an old 225 PowerKraft welder for my father in law. To confirm, I looked inside that unit and it has the center tap going instead to the working electrode. Being AC, does it really matter? Or has one of these units been altered over the years and if so, which way is the correct way?
Thanks in advance. I'm ready to get started on a few projects I have in mind!
AC is AC, there is no difference.
"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA Iraq 1/26/05
Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3
Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250
SP-175 +
Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)
Lincwelder AC180C (1952)
Victor & Smith O/A torches
Miller spot welder
I'm looking for more detailed photos of the wires heading to the various taps as some of mine are broken on the lower amp side, do you have anything you could post? Thanks
I would just use your best guess.
While welding on each setting, it'll be easy to tell if one or two are out of order.
A clamp on amp meter will give you actual numbers if you prefer.
Dave J.
Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~
Syncro 350
Invertec v250-s
Thermal Arc 161 and 300
MM210
Dialarc
Tried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
For stick welding, each size and type of rod runs best at a particular amperage.
Going lower and it's hard to light and runs cold.
Going higher and the increased amperage is noticeable.
Go too high and it's very noticeable - rod burns fast, flux can catch fire, more spatter, etc.
Dave J.
Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~
Syncro 350
Invertec v250-s
Thermal Arc 161 and 300
MM210
Dialarc
Tried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Thank you Dave. Appreciate the information.