A/C weld output - trailblazer

[Patriot1]

Whomever thought it was a good idea to remove the a/c weld output & polarity switch from the Trailblazer should be fired. Was a time that Trailblazer was "the" welder for a mobile service truck rig because it was capable of doing whatever was needed in the field. No more...
Maybe i'm the only one that encounters magnetic steel & arc blow where an a/c 7018 electrode is needed. Or poor fit up & thin steel where 6011 is run on straight polarity.
250 amp Bobcat won't cut it, I need 300 amp minimum for carbon arc gouging & 1/16 inner shield wire in my suitcase on the big jobs..
I won't even get into all the computer electronics & boards that these machines are loaded with these daze... = unnecessary & expensive problem area.

[snoeproe]

Arc blow and DC only welders are just something you have to deal with in the industrial world. You learn to deal with it or you get sent home.

[duaneb55]

I too was a bit surprised when I first saw AC weld output was no longer available on the Trailblazer. Not for arc blow issues but rather for aluminum TIG with an HF-251D. The current offering has pulse TIG but no AC weld output limiting one to aluminum MIG typically with a spool gun. That is of course unless you are skilled at aluminum DC TIG with helium shielding gas. There's no remote amperage control but one can do (and I have) aluminum AC TIG with the "lesser" Bobcat and HF-251D but now not possible with the "big brother" Trailblazer.

With remote capabilities, CC/CV, DC/AC weld output and great generator output I've always considered the Trailblazer the all inclusive best portable unit and I would also be interested to know why the decision was made to eliminate AC weld output out of curiosity.

[Patriot1]

Yea well, it was a helluva lot easier to deal with when I had a/c weld output on my rig. Why make the job more difficult????? I run into a bit of everything out in the field, I liked having all the options & functions the older engine drives had built in, & have used most of them, included a HF251 for a/c tig. I do currently use a 30A spoolgun for the aluminum.

[cruizer]

Was Always non critical tig as the ac sinewave was not particularly pure, and those wanting to weld Aluminum generally used a spoolgun anyways. AC became useless....

[shortarc]

Yea well, it was a helluva lot easier to deal with when I had a/c weld output on my rig. Why make the job more difficult????? I run into a bit of everything out in the field, I liked having all the options & functions the older engine drives had built in, & have used most of them, included a HF251 for a/c tig. I do currently use a 30A spoolgun for the aluminum.

Same here I love mine and was going to replace it a couple of years back just because it is getting high in hours and would have liked to be back in warranty again but not now, just have to take good care of her and hope she lasts.

[snoeproe]

I honestly can't remember the last time I wished I had AC. That's why Miller got rid of it on the trailblazer.

[Patriot1]

I realize not everyone uses or needs a/c weld output, But what about those of us that DO use that function??? THAT WAS the beauty of the Trailblazer in the past... Being an owner / operator of a mobile mechanic / welder / fabricator rig, having one machine that can do it all is essential. And if it was SO of a bad idea, Miller wouldn't have done it in the 1st place. They only took it out to save a few $$. Duh!

[Patriot1]

Btw, maybe I should mention that I've worn out 2 gas trailblazers, Now I drop $10,000 for a diesel machine, only to get less functions for twice the price. I fail to see the logic in that. Perhaps i'm the dumbass, I guess a/c output on a $10,000 machine might have broken Millers bank...