Software based "fan on demand" feature

I have read that most if not all TIG's have the fan on all the time?

Why doesn't Everlast implement a fan on demand feature in software since the machine must have a CT which measures the o/p current. They must have a good idea about the transformer heat curve and thermal performance of IGBT's or can measure in the lab. This feature would be like an inverse time function that protection relays use to protect large power transformers, or at the very least if no current about a certain point after a certain time then stop the fan. A few current set points along with some timers and you have a crude but funcational "fan on demand" feature without adding temp sensors.

When the fan is on, a bit is set in eeprom so if the CB ever trips when running a unit full out, it will run the fan for a set amount of time once the CB is reset. I blown the mains on my Syncgrowave 180 a couple of times, the fan will power on after the CB is reset. I'm not sure if they use temp sensor or this feature I speak of.

One reason I know of. $$$ ;) Customer bears the added cost.

Thurmond

I, guess, we answer this question quite frequently here, and a little searching would answer this question for you.

As Tritium touched on: $$$.
IF we did everything that everyone had an idea about or a "comment" about, it would be ridiculously expensive to buy an Everlast. No one realizes the cost and work involved to make any changes, let alone a significant one like that.

Another, and more important one: DUTY CYCLE. Look at our duty cycles and compare to the duty cycle of most of the other welders in our class. Using a fan on demand is a "reactive" cooling system. Continuously cooling the components is a "pro-active" cooling system.

Not that long ago, most welders (and many still do contrary to the statement) had full time fans. You can trace the inclusion of fan on demand, largely with the observable decline in duty cycles published by the major companies as well.

We lead the class typically in duty cycle for our products...why would we want to take that step backwards?

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Originally Posted by performance

I, guess, we answer this question quite frequently here, and a little searching would answer this question for you.

As Tritium touched on: $$$.
IF we did everything that everyone had an idea about or a "comment" about, it would be ridiculously expensive to buy an Everlast. No one realizes the cost and work involved to make any changes, let alone a significant one like that.

Another, and more important one: DUTY CYCLE. Look at our duty cycles and compare to the duty cycle of most of the other welders in our class. Using a fan on demand is a "reactive" cooling system. Continuously cooling the components is a "pro-active" cooling system.

Not that long ago, most welders (and many still do contrary to the statement) had full time fans. You can trace the inclusion of fan on demand, largely with the observable decline in duty cycles published by the major companies as well.

We lead the class typically in duty cycle for our products...why would we want to take that step backwards?

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It did seem like the older technology stuff had continous fan operation as my old Century,225A MIG welder had a fan that was continually on. I prefer my Millermatic 251 which has a fan on demand, is a smaller unit and has a higher output.

I realize this would add a little cost for the required relay to do this but I don't buy the idea of duty cycle argument as the fan could be turned on instantly as more power is demanded. Things don't heat up instantly and it's pointless cooling something that is already "cold".

If I decide on a PowerTig, I might add this feature as I like tinkering and don't like added noise or dust inside the machine. I can't argue with the 60% duty cycle.

My super200P has two of these fans, side by side, and they really seem effective, and quiet. They are on all the time when the power is on. Although they are not very loud, they seem to move a LOT of air. It is possible for some fans blades to be molded to that they move air more efficiently, while other fan blades simply "beat" the air and make lots of noise without moving much air.
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FWIW, they seem to be a lot quieter than the fans in the newer IGBT everlast machines (at least, the 250EX that I have used in person, but also seems like other IGBT models are just as noisy.)

I used a Dynasty 350 that had "fan on demand", and I actually found it be kind of annoying. There was something in the software that made the fan turn on whenever an arc was struck above a certain AC frequency (I think it was 200 Hz or 300Hz.) It was pretty annoying hearing those loud fans turn on and off every time the arc was struck. Good reason to set a low AC frequency. ;)

One thing I did like about how that machine was wired though, was that one power switch turned everything on (including the integrated water cooler.) Who need to forget to turn on the water cooler, and fry an expensive set of torch leads.

Anyway, I don't mind a reasonably quiet fan running all the time when the power is on, it's a good reminder to the user to remember to turn the power off. A good test for whether I would be happy with fan noise of not is, one should be able to have a conversation near the machine without having to raise your voice to speak over the noise of the fan. (IMO.)

As we have told others regarding changing around this sort of thing. Warranty is VOID, and in your hands. It is one of the things we do not recommend. The unit is designed to work with the fan constantly on, and the heat that it builds is significant. Fan on demand is fine, if you understand if it breaks, its yours to worry about.