About to purchase a Dynasty 200DX

[Spencer]

I have been DC tig welding (mostly stainless) since 1998 with a Thermal Arc 190GTS inverter. I want to learn how to tig weld aluminum so I will need an AC tig welder. I’ve spent two weeks trying do decide on which machine to get. My research has included my local welding supplier, my online welding supplier (BR Welder), printed literature, Millers online site, three different online welding forums, and two different phone calls to Millers tech department. The majority of this research has scared me away from the Dynasty 300DX (for now). Nobody seems to think I can use that machine for 10 years without spending some significant money on repairs. I understand that a lot of people who buy the 300DX plan on selling it before the warranty runs out. Instead of buying the 300DX now and selling it in three years I think I will start out with the 200DX with both an air-cooled and a water cooler setup. I know the 200DX doesn’t really need a water-cooler, but I have done some welding at the upper limits of my Thermal Arc and I would have preferred a water-cooled torch. The 200DX with the air-cooled setup will be a nice replacement for my Thermal Arc should that need replacing. The water-cooled setup will not only make it more comfortable to use the 200DX at its upper limits but it can also be used on the 300DX (or its successor) if and when I upgrade to a higher amperage machine in the future.

These are the basic items that I plan on purchasing:
Dynasty 200DX 907 099-01-1
Coolmate 3 (115 volt) 043-077
HD Foot Pedal (RFCS-14HD) 194-744
25 Ft. 250-Amp Water-Cooled Torch
25 Ft. 150-Amp Air-Cooled Torch
Regulator/Flowmeter
Gas Hose
Work Clamp & Cable
Any other items that I need for the water-cooled setup

These are other items that I would consider purchasing if it ends up being cost effective:
Fingertip control
Stick electrode holder
Cable cover


I want to make sure that all of these components are compatible with the 300DX, should I purchase that in the future. On the “Most Popular Accessories” section for the 200DX it lists a couple of different tig torch adapters. These tig torch adapters are not listed as popular accessories for the 300DX. Do the 200DX and the 300DX have different style and or size torch connections? I see that Miller offers two different contractor kits. I wouldn’t mind buying one of these kits but the regulator/flowmeter doesn’t look as good as the ones that come with the water-cooled torch kits, is it as good? If I buy both a contractor kit and a water-cooled torch kit it looks like I will end up with redundant parts. Also I doubt that the air-cooled torch that comes in the contractor kit is 25 feet long. I only have a 12 or 15-foot torch on my Thermal Arc machine and I have always regretted that. I’ve downloaded the manuals for the 200DX, 300DX, and the Coolmate 3. The Coolmate 3 manual is the only one that shows how to hook up the water-cooler to the tig torch and it is not a very clear illustration. Having never seen or used a water-cooled torch before I am not sure exactly what I need to order to hook everything together.

Somewhere on one of the welding forums I saw a picture of a water-cooler that I guy said he bought off of E-bay. It was not a Miller Coolmate 3, but it sure did look like one. Do any of you know if Miller uses a different party to manufacture its Coolmate 3? If I can get the same cooler elsewhere for less money I would be interested in looking into that. Should I also be looking at different manufacturers for air and or water-cooled torch sets?

Thanks, Spence

[aphexafx]

The 200DX would be an excellent decision for reasons you probably already know from your research. I believe that everything will work between the 200 and 300 Dynasty machines. Both Dynasty lines use international 35/50 connectors at the posts and both have a separate gas output.

A water cooler is a good addition to either the 200 or 300. The Coolmate 3 is manufactured by Binzel, but I would get the Miller one because it's going to match your setup and isn't much, of any, more than the Binzel, non-Miller, version.

I don't have a water cooled setup but I'm pretty sure you can order your torch with the correct fittings for the Coolmate and be ready to go. You can optionally get quick disconnects for your water lines, but if you have one water torch you might as well just leave it hooked up. As for gas and power connections on the Dynasty, I would get an air cooled torch with a combined gas/power cable and the appropriate dinse adaptor for it. The adaptor will lock into the power post and has a gas jumper that runs up to the gas output. Or you could go the separate gas/power route, similar connector, but with no gas jumper. The water cooled torch will have to have a similar adaptor but it will deal in coolant and have a jumper that goes to the input of the Coolmate. Gas will be separate, as will the coolant supply line. All of these dinse adaptors can be had from Weldcraft. Miller also sells the adaptors, as you mentioned, and they are even provided in some kits/packages.

You don't need two contractors kits, but you could get one and then buy the other torch independently. You will have to decide if the regulators that come with the kits are what you want. They should be fine. And I do believe the contractors kits come with 25ft. torches.

Good luck!

[fun4now]

10 year repair ???

i dont understand how you figure you will not be able to use the dyn300 without masive repair bill's, nor do i understand how you can say most who buy it intend to sell it befor the warenty runs out????
not shoure where you got your info but if you are that scard of the dyn300 why do you think the dyn200 would do better?? it seems stupid to buy a dyn200 if you intend to upgradee to the dyn300?? the $1000.00 or more you will lose in the sail of the dyn200 in 2 years could go tward the 300 now?

as for torch Most Popular Accessories they are diferent torches so the accesories would have diferent sizes and part #'s you cant expect a 150A torch and a 300A torch to have interchangable parts.

[aphexafx]

P.S.> Go ahead and get a cable cover for each of your torches from the start. They are good investments.

[aphexafx]

i dont understand how you figure you will not be able to use the dyn300 without masive repair bill's, nor do i understand how you can say most who buy it intend to sell it befor the warenty runs out????

yeah, from what I've heard, the 300 is a powerhouse and built like one too. I've heard it's an excellent machine. If anything, it's got to be tougher than the 200. Spencer: I wouldn't let a few dusgruntled people's stories sway you away from the 300. I have a 200, but I'm now looking to upgrade to the 300 - wish I'd bought the 300 in the first place, of course.

as for torch Most Popular Accessories they are diferent torches so the accesories would have diferent sizes and part #'s you cant expect a 150A torch and a 300A torch to have interchangable parts.

But the foot pedal and the gas/power connections on the torches would be compatable with either Dynasty, at least, right? As in, both Dynastys have the same 14-pin remote connector, same diameter gas port, and same size DINSE recievers...right? I thought that was the case...

[joebass]

fun4now,
A 17 series air cooled torch (150 amp) and an 18 series water cooled torch (350 amp) use the same consumables and parts. I have had and used both. A 26 series air cooled torch (200 amp) uses the same parts also, and is physically the ame size as an 18 torch. A 9 series air cooled torch (125 amp)also uses the same consumables as a 20 series water cooled torch (250 amp).

The 9,17,18, and 20 are the most popular torches. I'm pretty sure that the contractors kit comes with a diamondback 17. My 300DX TIGrunner came with a 20 diamondback that I swapped out for a CK 230 Trimline 300 amp torch because I already had a CK 20 torch. I am about to have my dealer order a CK 210 Trimline torch and and a CK 9 series torch for mobile work.

The same torches will work for either dynasty. And I would NOT hesitate to buy the 300DX the first time. This machine is awesome. I use mine almost daily for my business and I'm not getting rid of it before the warranty is over. I even chose this machine over the Aerowave. The only reason I would ever sell it would be to maybe get a Dynasty 700 when they come out.

https://www.ckworldwide.com

[HAWK]

Spencer,

I have a Dynasty 300DX that has seen more use in the last 2 years than most hobby machines will see in 10+ years. I use it mainly for aluminum, but also have welded mild steel, copper, and titanium with it. I specialize in hard to work and weld alloys. My machines see some tough use. My Dynasty 300DX has been powered by 240 VAC 1 phase and 480 VAC 3 phase in both field and shop applications. The machine has never given any problems. I also have other Miller inverters in my shop. They have proven to be reliable for this shop.

I recently sold a Dynasty 200DX since I gave up mobile work earlier this year. That particular machine went back for warranty one time within its first year of use. It had a bad set of PS IGBT's from day one. They gradually went downhill and poof! This is not typically behavior for inverters. They either work or they do not work. There is usually no in between. This one was an exception.

If you are concerned about reliability of the D300DX, then purchasing a D200DX is not a step in the right direction. Perhaps you should look into a 25 year proven technology such as one of the Syncrowave square wave TIG machines.

My personal thoughts are you're letting a minority opinion influence your decision. I see the Dyn 300's and other inverters in daily use by NASCAR teams that put more hours on these units in a year than most hobbyists will do in a lifetime. The teams also take several machines to the track for necessary repairs. The Dyn 200DX is one such machine. If these machines were failing regularly then swap out and down time would be a factor precluding their use in such applications.

I am not trying to talk you into purchasing any particular machine as the money is yours. However, I suggest you follow up on and continue your research as my experience with inverters in recent years has been very good.

The Dynasty inverters have a definite appeal when it comes to AC welding. Their arc shaping capabilities are phenomenal compared to the Syncrowaves. They pack more punch per amp and are able to excel in certain applications where the Syncrowaves cannot.

The Dynastys and the Syncrowaves are good machines. Some people prefer the older proven technology of the Syncrowaves and others like the newer "slicker" inverter technology. Either way you choose, there will be no disappointment. Do read all the product literature, forum advice, and any real world examples you can find. This will help you make a well informed decision so you will not be looking back wondering if you did the right thing.

[Teeps]

I have a 200, but I'm now looking to upgrade to the 300 - wish I'd bought the 300 in the first place, of course.

How soon are you thinking of going this route?
3-6 months?

Please give me a shout when you are getting close to picking up your 300, or ready to let the 200 go!

[email protected]

I'm looking high and low for good deals, on a hobbyist budget, I think the 200 will suffice for my needs for quite some time.

Thanks,

Don

[aphexafx]

How soon are you thinking of going this route?
3-6 months?

Please give me a shout when you are getting close to picking up your 300, or ready to let the 200 go!

Ehh, well I'm a student, among other things, so it's going to be slow going. My 200 is perfectly capable for what I'm doing now, but I still want the 300 for the future.

Anyway, depending on how I decide to sell it, I'll give you an email when the time comes and see if you're still interested. Next summer is a good goal, I suppose. But I'll let you know!

[Spencer]

Thanks everyone, most of your replies were constructive. Sorry that I have not replied sooner even though I did get a chance to read your posts last Friday. I wanted to take the weekend to further contemplate this purchase. I guess I was a little unclear in my original post. I did not plan on buying the 200DX with the intention of selling it later so that I could buy a 300DX. My original thinking was to buy the 200DX now, and eventually let that become the replacement for my Thermal Arc 190GTS, which I keep in my work van. If, and when I did replace my Thermal Arc with the 200DX, I wanted to make sure that water cooled setup I purchased with the 200DX would work with the 300DX, in case I chose to buy it or its successor at that time.

I have decided that the 200DX would not suit my portability needs as well as the Thermal Arc 190GTS has, so I have decided not to go that route. You will be happy to hear that last Monday I went into my local welding shop and ordered the Dynasty 300DX, the HD foot pedal, a Coolmate 3, the 250-amp water-cooled torch/regulator package, and three gallons of coolant. I forgot the order the cable cover for the torch, so I will have to buy or order that when I go in to pick up the welder.

Spence

[HAWK]

Spencer,

Congratulations on your new purchase! You will be very impressed with the machine. You may not have to order the torch cover (zippered sheath) because it may be included in the Diamond Back torch/regulator package. I tested a couple of kits and one had the sheath while the other did not.

[Sberry]

I wanna be a test rat for a Dyn 200,,, ha, It might be enough to push me back in the biz. A major point for me would be the multi V and as use for a portable stick machine for light industrial work. I really like what one guy said about using tig for handrail work. Could save a lot of mess and sparks in some circumstances. Also alum tig isnt my expertise and it may make small work so much easier than my 300 synch.

[Teeps]

Ehh, well I'm a student, among other things, so it's going to be slow going. My 200 is perfectly capable for what I'm doing now, but I still want the 300 for the future.

Anyway, depending on how I decide to sell it, I'll give you an email when the time comes and see if you're still interested. Next summer is a good goal, I suppose. But I'll let you know!

Your about at my pace, maybe a little quicker!!! I hope to have the mm251 paid off by next summer two, then I'll start saving for your dyn200dx!!!
Keep me in mind!!!

I have some outlaws, I mean In-laws in the Denver area, so it maybe a road trip to see family in Fall-Winter 05, I'll have to squeeze in a pitstop to pick up a dyn200dx if all works out.

"What's that honey? Early Xmas gift, lol, just a little heater for the shop."