Cool down?

[everlastsupport]

I usually base the time I let it run on what I have been doing with the welder. A quick tack or two and I will let it sit for 10-15 seconds and shut it off. If I have been blasting away on some heavy aluminum I might let it run for 5-10 minutes.

I do the same. Guess it's the common sense method, never had one die yet. If you are working it hard let it cool for a bit 5-10 minutes. A tack or two, give is 15-30 seconds.

[Tacoma747]

This could kind of be looked at like the duty cycle right? I have had it explained to me that with a 60% duty cycle, you need to let it cool for 40% of the time, so, if you weld solid for 6 minutes, let it cool for 4 minutes. Never hurts to go over that though I am sure.

[Rambozo]

This could kind of be looked at like the duty cycle right? I have had it explained to me that with a 60% duty cycle, you need to let it cool for 40% of the time, so, if you weld solid for 6 minutes, let it cool for 4 minutes. Never hurts to go over that though I am sure.

Duty cycle is typically measured in 10 minute blocks, so you have it exactly right. Max weld time is 6 minutes with a 4 minute cool down in any 10 minute period. For example 3 on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, etc...
If you go over the duty cycle it is not good on the equipment. Even with protection devices, it's never good to trip them on a regular basis.

[undercut]

Duty cycle is typically measured in 10 minute blocks, so you have it exactly right. Max weld time is 6 minutes with a 4 minute cool down in any 10 minute period. For example 3 on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, etc...
If you go over the duty cycle it is not good on the equipment. Even with protection devices, it's never good to trip them on a regular basis.

The 10 minute period is important. Going 12 minutes on and 8 minutes off for a 60% duty cycle is NOT cool. (Pun not intended!)

[Brian Ski]

The 10 minute period is important. Going 12 minutes on and 8 minutes off for a 60% duty cycle is NOT cool. (Pun not intended!)

You guys must be pros... I can't weld straight through... I am always stopping and repositioning parts. Cleaning them up and continuing the bead.

I never thought of a cool down time, but I usually don't run the machine that hard. If I run up the power it is not for a very long time, just short bursts. From what I remember I don't think I have ever tripped the thermal cutout.

[Paul Moir]

No-one really does. That's why welders have duty cycles. In theory my LX225 can't weld at 225 straight for 24 hours, but in practice I'm only actually welding half the time (or much less!) If I were a robot welding pipe seams or something like that, well that would be different.

The only time I managed to get a temperature cut out was because I forgot to connect the temperature sensor!

[Tacoma747]

Duty cycle probably only really comes into play with either really small welders (and people overusing them), or in manufacturing work where they are being used constantly with little downtime.