Adjustablity range of AC balance

Interested in purchasing a TIG/Stick welder for our shop. After watching countless Youtube videos by some very knowledgable people, it seemed like the sweet spot for AC balance was about 65-70% Electrode "-".This would translate to a setting of 30-35% on an Everlast welders as they display the AC balance as a % of Electrode "+". I noticed that this sweet spot is right at the end of some of the Everlast models adjustable range while other models have a range of 10-90% Electrode "+"(which is the same as saying 10-90% Electrode "-"). Have any of you experienced any problems with not being able to get good results due to inability to adjust the AC balance any further than 30% Electrode "+"(70% Electrode -)?

It's got enough adjustment for most any situation. Several other companies actually offer less adjustment on some models. And transformers without it, sit at 50/50.

The 255EXT has 5-90% electrode +

There are only two times I find myself playing near the edge of the balance adjustment. The first is for welding pre-polished treadplate, where I want to have the cleaning band as close to the weld as possible. This makes for an easy to polish weld. The other is when you run the machine at the very limit of it's capability and need all the extra penetration you can get, and have meticulously cleaned the material. Much more often I find moving more towards 50% for things like castings with lots of impurities in it. Other than that, you find that sweet spot and just leave it there.

30%-35% is were you will spend most of your time. But it has plenty of range.

what miller machine would you compare the 255 to as far as capabilities for aluminum.?

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Originally Posted by johnson697

what miller machine would you compare the 255 to as far as capabilities for aluminum.?

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I would say the closest is the Dynasty 280 DX. They share a lot of the same features, but differ in a few. Miller does independant AC amperage, while Everlast does advanced AC pulse switching between AC and DCEN. Both features are for the purpose of getting more power for heavy aluminum welding.