Trailblazer 325 questions and need feedback

[nfinch86]

Kill a watt

with a frequency meter like this one:

http://www.menards.com/main/electrical/rough-electrical/wiring-accessories/testers/kill-a-watt-electricity-usage-monitor/p-1522714-c-6452.htm

one of buttons is hz..so just plug into outlet and press the hz button I run one on my generators now to make sure its right

sjohn;
Well I ordered the KILL A WATT monitor & come to find my Lincoln Ranger has been running at 70.5 Hz. not 62.5 Hz. for the last 3 years !

Well I corrected it today , it's now at 62.5 Hz.. , so I'll have to see if I find any difference in performance. It's for sure a lower RPM. now !

Also at idle it's now at 38 Hz. , well time will tell, I guess .

Norm

[sjohn]

If you really want to worry about the welder dont forget about the engine portion of the welder. If this is a welder to be used daily after 3 years its going to be time for a new one. The life of the typical kohler is 2000-3000 hrs. Yes they can last longer but from what i see heres what happens...gets run low on oil...throws rod. Key breaks in flywheel(normally from magnets breaking off flywheel jammming into stator) ruins crank, rings wear out causing units to foul plugs, blows head gasket, wiring inside engine fails..
Now i only have a fleet of these 23-25 hp kohlers all driving water pumps and have worked on these commands since they were introduced. I believe kohler build a quality engine, but its a throw away once worn out.(yes they are rebuildable if your labor cost is free).
My point is the same. The welder has a 3 year warranty, stop worring about the what ifs, do your maintance, and go to work. If the welder is used right it will provide ample income to replace itself when the time comes.
Kevin

I already know about the engine and I have a plan for that lucky I have a friend that rebuilds engines so i' am not worry about that as much as the electronics but understand what you are saying, like I said before its just nice knowing the ifs

[Tryagn5]

no I don't think iam over thinking this. I know I will have a warranty. I just like to know what it will cost (about) when the warranty is up. This way I know what iam getting into. best to know then not know at all

I guess I don't like not knowing, maybe its just me I am the type of person if I don't know..i will find an answer. being that way can be good and bad...lol

If you really want to worry about the welder dont forget about the engine portion of the welder. If this is a welder to be used daily after 3 years its going to be time for a new one. The life of the typical kohler is 2000-3000 hrs. Yes they can last longer but from what i see heres what happens...gets run low on oil...throws rod. Key breaks in flywheel(normally from magnets breaking off flywheel jammming into stator) ruins crank, rings wear out causing units to foul plugs, blows head gasket, wiring inside engine fails..
Now i only have a fleet of these 23-25 hp kohlers all driving water pumps and have worked on these commands since they were introduced. I believe kohler build a quality engine, but its a throw away once worn out.(yes they are rebuildable if your labor cost is free).
My point is the same. The welder has a 3 year warranty, stop worring about the what ifs, do your maintance, and go to work. If the welder is used right it will provide ample income to replace itself when the time comes.
Kevin

[sjohn]

no I don't think iam over thinking this. I know I will have a warranty. I just like to know what it will cost (about) when the warranty is up. This way I know what iam getting into. best to know then not know at all

I guess I don't like not knowing, maybe its just me I am the type of person if I don't know..i will find an answer. being that way can be good and bad...lol

[Tryagn5]

warranty....

ok on the fan


what is average cost for a board for a 325 and a 305

You are completly over thinking this. The welder will have a 3 year warranty. All equipment will break, thats why there is repair people. Either welder will do what you ask of it, one might be slightly bettar then the other depending on the job/condtions.
Now the 305g has been out for a long time has a proven design, and most people like them. The 325 miller has nice features such as excel, a nice arc, and is backed by a great company. It came out with some growing pains, but miller has fixed them. Will it have some more? Maybe, but you will have 3 years of warranty to sort them out.
Kevin

[sjohn]

ok on the fan


what is average cost for a board for a 325 and a 305

[cruizer]

As I said, there is no room on a 325 for a fan of any kind. As for boards, it happens but not common on a tuned Linc. Besides you can get an extended warranty for it.

The Miller has fixed a couple final weld board related glitches, however, if you happen to boost and surge a dead battery, it's going to get expensive

[sjohn]

ahhhh ok


what if a board does pop what is the cost of a board?


also for the heat issue..hummm it can get hot where I live..so having a fan on the unit would work only if the fan is blowing on the engine and not the other parts that get hot.

[cruizer]

Low idle must be set to 38hz at the low idle solinoid

High idle must be set at 62.5hz, at the engine governor arm lock nuts

[sjohn]

also Cruizer you said :

"won't happen till the engine has a few hours on it and that is that the low idle moves to high. It must be set to approx 38 hz"

iam not sure I follow what you mean there? how can it be 38hz?? when it should be at at 62.5 hz warm?

[sjohn]

Saw 2 with board issues, one would shut down then run fine, one ran hot, then some complained of erractic arcs, of course these are all pipeline guys do 8-12 inch pipe in gas distrubtion. However for every 325 i see there is 10 305gs. Most guys here run either 305g,s, sae 200-300's, or pipepro 304 or 350's. Only a couple of trailblazers. All is downhill stick. Now im the mechanic so i do all uphill 7018, air arc a lot, and run dual shield wire, been very happy with the 305g. Now once the 325 has all its bugs fixed(which it might) i do like the excel power, i would be tempted to get one. However either way i would have efi, fuel savings, cleaner running, ease of starting at 10 below.
Kevin

good to know! hum I wonder if miller got the bugs fixed in the new models?

[sjohn]

with a frequency meter like this one:

http://www.menards.com/main/electrical/rough-electrical/wiring-accessories/testers/kill-a-watt-electricity-usage-monitor/p-1522714-c-6452.htm

one of buttons is hz..so just plug into outlet and press the hz button I run one on my generators now to make sure its right

[Tryagn5]

"There is absolutely zero reason for a board to pop once the engines are set for the correct RPM. Its the low frequency that kills them"

ahh ok that makes sense! if a board does pop what is the cost of a board?


also for the heat issue..hummm it can get hot where I live..so having a fan on the unit would work only if the fan is blowing on the engine and not the other parts that get hot.


Tryagn5 - yes that's what iam going to do to price,service,etc did you have a 325? if so what problems did you have?

Saw 2 with board issues, one would shut down then run fine, one ran hot, then some complained of erractic arcs, of course these are all pipeline guys do 8-12 inch pipe in gas distrubtion. However for every 325 i see there is 10 305gs. Most guys here run either 305g,s, sae 200-300's, or pipepro 304 or 350's. Only a couple of trailblazers. All is downhill stick. Now im the mechanic so i do all uphill 7018, air arc a lot, and run dual shield wire, been very happy with the 305g. Now once the 325 has all its bugs fixed(which it might) i do like the excel power, i would be tempted to get one. However either way i would have efi, fuel savings, cleaner running, ease of starting at 10 below.
Kevin

[nfinch86]

62.5 hz. ?

Cruizer,
How to you check for 62.5 HZ. ?

Norm

[sjohn]

"There is absolutely zero reason for a board to pop once the engines are set for the correct RPM. Its the low frequency that kills them"

ahh ok that makes sense! if a board does pop what is the cost of a board?


also for the heat issue..hummm it can get hot where I live..so having a fan on the unit would work only if the fan is blowing on the engine and not the other parts that get hot.


Tryagn5 - yes that's what iam going to do to price,service,etc did you have a 325? if so what problems did you have?