Arc Force Question

[plumber]

Hi -
I just got a Power Arc 130 and I have aquestion about the "dig" function. This machine is my first experiance with an inverter. From what I've read, dig is suppose to enable additional penetration and reduce sticking during close-arc welding. I do mostly open-root pipe welding and when I run into a situation where I need additional penetration I usually turn up the amperage to burn through a tight fit-up. What is the advantage of using dig vs turning up the heat to accomplish this? Is it to get the penetration without heating up the work piece? I ran a few stringers on flat plate with the dig turned up and it resulted in a mounded, cold looking, high spatter bead. It seems that the machine welds best with the dig turned all the way down. Am I missing something? I would appreciate any input. Thanks.

BTW- I love the PA 130. It really is a nice machine for a great price.

[performance]

We do not have a 130 nor does the small unit have dig control.

[fdcmiami]

We do not have a 130 nor does the small unit have dig control.

didn't you just order the 300; i remember because you got it wrong that time too. p30 i think you referred to it as. now you have a 130. maybe you could take a moment to look at the machine, maybe a picture, so that we would all be on board with what machine you are actually on.

[zoama]

He's got the PowerARC 300... We all make mistakes.

Arc force from the manual> Source: http://www.everlastgenerators.com/do...ST-160-200.pdf

[fdcmiami]

He's got the PowerARC 300... We all make mistakes.

that's true and i make plenty; he ordered the unit on new years day, a P30; we are now talking about a P130; but i think what he's really talking about is this.

Hi- I've purchased a PA140 and am having a hard time welding with 1/8 6011 rod. I've tried all heats from 60-140A. The arc seems very unstable. I find that the only way to kep an arc going is to...

[zoama]

that's true and i make plenty; he ordered the unit on new years day, a P30; we are now talking about a P130; but i think what he's really talking about is this.

Hi- I've purchased a PA140 and am having a hard time welding with 1/8 6011 rod. I've tried all heats from 60-140A. The arc seems very unstable. I find that the only way to kep an arc going is to...

The 140 doesn't have adjustable arc force, only the 300 does.

[plumber]

I'm Sorry about the typo. I meant PA300.

[performance]

Since that is clarified...Pushing in, will boost the heat for you. A high spatter bead? What type of electrode are you running? Size? Amps? Likely if you are getting a high spatter bead, you are holding too long of an arc gap. Turn the heat down, keep a tight arc, and turn the arc force up (in general)

[agent4573]

As a noob to welding, can you explain the difference between arc force and just turning up the machine? Is the heat applied differently or at different times? I'm just a bit confused on it. Thanks.

[zoama]

As a noob to welding, can you explain the difference between arc force and just turning up the machine? Is the heat applied differently or at different times? I'm just a bit confused on it. Thanks.

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...0&d=1357523932

[plumber]

Hi Mark- I was running Lincoln ...1/8" 6010 at 85 amps with a tight arc on 1/8" plate steel. The conditions were identical with the exception of the arc force. The machine seems to run really nice with the arc force turned down, but seems to spatter the puddle when the arc force is turned up high. I was running at the two ends of the dial to try to figure out the effect. . I must be spraying the puddle out with the arc force turned up too much. . I guess its something that I will have to experiment with.

On another note....I really like the machine! I love the portability and the feel of it. The company I work for is still sending out the big old transformers. (They're alot of fun to drag around). I'm trying to get them to switch over to these inverters. I think they will when they get a chance to check out this machine.

Thank you in advance on any tips you can give me on this machine.

[Rambozo]

Inverters do require slightly different techniques, especially with cellulose fluxed rods.

[performance]

Turn up the arc force on the 7018 only as much as you need it. It will pop and spit with you if you have too much. Turn it up then back down till it disappears. On 6010, you can crank it up some. Probably around 3 is all you need with 7018.

[plumber]

Thank you, I'll try that.

[Rambozo]

I have a question about Everlast's implementation of arc force. Does the control adjust the amount of voltage drop before the current increases, the amount of current increase or both? Are there any published curves or graphs of the function? And how about the adaptive arc force used on some models? Just curious.