Miller suitcase 8VS

[moe1942]

I have Bobcat 225G and would like to get a wire feeder for it. Has anyone used a Miller suitcase 8VS feeder with a Bobcat? Read on another site that The Bobcat doesn't do well in this department. Would rather have a second opinion before investing.


moe1942

[dhoop]

suitcase 8vs

good am moe1942,
I have some experiance with drivers i had a abobcat 225g ran a 32 super. suitcase older model still have it and was pleased with it i still have the 32 super. And now run suitcase 12 rc off of a big blu. 302 and am just as pleased (if not more) will try the vs suitcase off of that sooner or later when the need arrises . the sensing clamp. on the vs suitcase must have good contact i found. anyhow hope that helps dhoop

[moe1942]

dhoop,

Thanks for the reply. I'm new to MIG so have a lot of questions. Can the Bobcat handle both current and voltage sensing feeders? If so which operates better?


moe1942

[dhoop]

hey moe,
this is fast can't type that fast! i used the VS only with the bobcat. i run the 12 rc suitcase off of the big blue which is set up better for that. with a fourteen pin remote setup. I lived v. remote and used that as my welding set up ran a spectrum plasma cutter as well off the bobcat. all of that worked well for me. dhoop

[moe1942]

dhoop,

Thanks for the feedback. Hoping my son can get me a 8VS where he works. They don't repair anything. Toss it out. I got the Bobcat from him. The Onan threw a rod. I repowered it with A Kohler and it works great. Thought a feeder would give me a great all around unit.

Have only done a few test welds with the Bobcat. The only downside I can see is it's a one man unit. No tool use when welding. Not a problem since I am only one deep....


moe1942

[dhoop]

disposible units

hey moe,
sounds like you are diggng in the right trash can!!!. when you are a one man show that set up will work great for you.....i left the bobcat at the remote site and would replace it in a heartbeat to the back of my rig with the 32 super suitcase(and will eventually will). My big blue is trailered and that works well for me. dhoop

[DDA52]

Moe
You can't use a RC feeder with the Bobus, only a VS. The 225G isn't set up for the remote. BTW, if you find more than one.... you've got my number!

Don't let others tell you that the Bobcat can't be used for power while welding cuz it can. Mine has run 1000 watts of lights and a grinder or large hammer drill all while welding. Your available wattage depends on the amperage you're running. If you stay within the wattage limits, you will be ok. Just because you don't have the dial at 100 doesn't mean you don't have any juice. Here is what my book says we have with the 225G:

amps- watts
175-max - 0
150 - 1050
125 - 1800
90 - 3500
70 - 4500
50 - 5500
0 - 8000

At the time I was running all that stuff, I was welding 16 ga studs. I know for a fact that I was running 56 amps DCEN. I had tons of power available at that setting. I have done some heavy structural with it also. My helper was still able to run a grinder while I was welding, albeit a small one. Running maybe 140-145a., I had about 1100w. Just enough to run an 8 amp grinder.

[moe1942]

Don,


That's what I like about this site. Straight answers from those who have been there. I just talked to my son and he said I would have a suitcase when he came back here. If he happens to snag two you are first in line for the second one.

He wants to get a job with Union Tank Car Co. that is locating here. They will start taking apps in Jan 05. He's a pipefitter at a co. in Milwaukee and he wants to get out of there. He is certified in everything but stick so he might get lucky.

Gonna be a lot of crete poured Don. I forget the under cover dimensions but it will be huge. Want to bid on one square mile???

You can tell I haven't done any homework on what the Bobcat will do. Can it use CC feeders or only CV. Also, what are the TIG capabilities. I see one of those in my future.. Might as well put my order in before my son heads south

Stay dry,

Moe

[DDA52]

Moe
I can handle a sq. mi., but the commute would kill me. Think I'll pass.

As to the Bobus capabilities.....Have you gotten the owners manual yet? If not, go to Miller's site and get it downloaded asap. That will be your best friend untill you get familiar with your machine. You can use CC or CV. The voltage tap is the first one on the range selector. Remember that when you use it, you will have to switch the leads to the voltage lug. The lug is the one on the far right as you face it.
TIG is something I don't know much about.... but I do have "The Book"! It says the Bobus needs a HF- 250 unit to do the TIG thing. I think that unit is now the HF-251. Maybe Andy could verify that when he's done racin'. I think it needs a seperate contactor also. It is listed along with the HF unit in the current catalog.

BTW, I was kidding about the suitcase.... but if you get a couple, give me a jingle. I'm sure we could work something out.

[DDA52]

Moe,
Another thought. If I get a feeder, I was considering the 3045fc. That one is almost perfectly matched up to the 225G in output capabilities. That may be an option if he finds one. He probably wouldn't find one, though. It is a newer model and is not the one directed at the heavy industrial crowd. Just thought I would throw it in just in case.

[moe1942]

Don,

You are definitely in line for a feeder if my son gets lucky. He says all they have are suitcase feeders. Don't know model #'s. I plan on asking today. Says there are a dozen just sitting in the tool room. He has been bugging his boss so it is just a matter of time. They must spit out some large dia. wire since they prefab beams and supports for buildings. He works with 1/2" and up regularly.

Yes, I have the manual Don but field knowhow is so much better. I like to take what the experts say back to the book. Makes more sense to me then. I find my brain isn't as agile as it once was. Gittin old sucks.....

I used to be good at O/A so hope that will translate to TIG when I get there.

Thanks for the feed back.

moe1942

[paulrbrown]

Hey Moe, If you don't mind scratch starting on DC tig, [non critical] welds, the bobcat preforms well, I have done stainless and low carbon steel with no problems, other that no remote amperate control," pays to have a helper to tweak the amperage"...but once you get it set, it runs fine. Forget Aluminum and Magnesium welding, they are gonna need AC, which does require the high frequency generator....and DDA52 is right on about the power tools, I love lights while working in the dark, so I bring lots of them, the only 'problem' I have encountered, is the Bobcat does not go to idle after welding, so I wear ear plugs so I don't have to listen to it....I just need a bigger muffler!!!Hope this helps,Paul

[moe1942]

Thanks PLB,

I know TIG is in my future so I am asking questions now.

Did you mean your Bobcat idle isn't working? Mine isn't since I changed from Onan to Kohler. Went overkill and used a 25HP V-Twin Command Kohler. Got Power to spare. Have to figure a way to incorporate the Onans idle solenoid. The electrical circuit is ok, just have to mount the solenoid.

The kohler runs so smooth and quiet it is low priority.

If you need some help on your BC's run/idle circuit just holler.

moe1942

[paulrbrown]

Hey Moe, no as to the idle not working, it works fine. When there is any type of load on the Bobcat, it goes to fast speed, and stays there. So if you are using aux power, it will always be running fast until load is cut of. I keep a grinder with wire brush on hand while stick welding and I will bump the trigger on it to get the Bobcat to go from idle to full speed so it is easier to start the ARC. Saves having to bang the electrode on the piece to get the Bobcat up to speed. Plus, I always have a way to knock slag off efficiently, them dang hammers make for an ugly weld.....Again, hope this helps,Paul

[revpol]

Moe: Have used the BC many times ( stick, tig &mig) I have also the s-32p-12 feeder never had a problem with it. Also tigged with the BC. str. polarity and scratch start tig, just flip it to the rabbit before you start tigging (this helps the starting of the tig) and go. Does a good job. Also while tigging some tubes once I was running a couple of drop lights and useing a metabo to prep the next joints while welding. revpol