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Miller Maxstar 150 STL

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3.4K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  BFS  
B
#1 ·
Hey fellas, quick question that I can’t seem to find an answer for. I have a Maxstar 150 STL and I primarily use it for TIG in both piping and mobile repair work. However next week I’m going to be welding a gantry crane in place at another shop. I’m pretty sure they don’t have 220 power available. Not a big deal, or so I thought. By looking into some spec sheets I realized this thing will only run 100 amps of output on 120 volt power set up on stick. Yet will run the full 150 amp when set on tig. Any ideas why? I’d guess it has something to do with Input power to the transformer.
So the bigger question at hand, is why couldn’t I plug my leads in to run electrode positive and leave the machine set to TIG? Other than the gas valve clicking, why not?? I’m going to be running 1/8” 7018, and I know that’s gonna require more than 100 amps.
Thanks in advance
 
M
#2 ·
It's about total output wattage. Tig welding volts are lower than stick welding volts.

As a result, more amps are still available with a tig arc.

Check the chart for your machine and you'll see they list the welding arc voltage for both in the duty cycle section.

Your machine will not reliably run 1/8" 7018 on 120v power.
But it will run 3/32" very well.
 
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S
#3 · (Edited)
Just some more electric info for your max star 150.
The one I used in the past, required a 20 amp/120 v circuit to get 90 amps max weld power for stick welding. If you can only find a 15 amp/120v circuit, you only get 70 amps max weld power for stick welding. That’s barley enough to run a 3/32 7018 rod. These 150 max star machines are extremely limited when used on 120v power. Locating a 20 amp 110/120v circuit will help. If your working with 7018 electrodes and only have a 15 amp 110/120v circuit for power, these machines are pretty much useless from my experience.
 
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S
#4 ·
Pretty sure when you put these max stars into tig mode, it disables the hot start feature.
 
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B
#6 ·
Dave and Jason, between what you guys have to say makes sense. I have had real great success with 3/32 7018 but haven’t tried to use 1/8 while away from the shop. This little machine primarily sees TIG use and I’ve noticed no issues with that set up. Sounds like I’ll just have to buy 3/32 and make more passes. Thanks for the explanation
 
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