Dual Bottle Rack for MM251

[Trap Doctor]

Has anyone made a dual bottlle rack for their MM251. Can you weld to the existing rack without removing it from the welder?

Thanks
jim

[HMW]

Has anyone made a dual bottlle rack for their MM251. Can you weld to the existing rack without removing it from the welder?

Thanks
jim

Our 251 came with a dual bottle rack, I didn't know they only came with one. As far as welding the rack with it on the welder I don't think I would. We weld on trucks all the time and because of the computer equipment we disconnect all the battery cables. So I would think the same would go for the welder. someone else on here might know better, but thats my 2 cents worth

[Darmik]

Disconnect the battery! why

Hey HMW why would you disconnect the battery when you can use one of these.O ya and for anybody eles that reads this never weld on any vehicle with out this this will save your azz someday from replacing the computer or any other expensive electrical part $100.00 cda / us $65.00 ?

[HMW]

Hey HMW why would you disconnect the battery when you can use one of these.O ya and for anybody eles that reads this never weld on any vehicle with out this this will save your azz someday from replacing the computer or any other expensive electrical part $100.00 cda / us $65.00 ?

Well, we disconnect the batteries because we don't have one of those . and ECMs are very expensive. What is it and where did you get it at. I assume it must absorb stray current or voltage spikes??? It looks easier than disconnecting 3 batteries. We not only have the trucks engine/trans ECMs but also radio [800 mhz] and computer equipment mounted in the cab. Caterpillar also recommends disconnecting the ECM even with the batteries disconnected.

[Sundown]

Has anyone made a dual bottlle rack for their MM251. Can you weld to the existing rack without removing it from the welder?

Thanks
jim

I made this one for my MM210, I gave it to the guy who purchased the MM210 but it will fit the MM251 no problem and no welding required to mount it as it is a bolt on using the existing holes on the top. you will just need to get a longer axel to space the wheels out a bit. Disregard the part about me making a box, and the base has angle legs welded to the bottom and sized to fit and clear the factory tray. you may need resize the bottom tray to fit whatever size bottles you want to use. Hope this helps.

[Trooper]

I don’t believe that I would weld on the welder out of fear of ruining something inside, but I might be wrong on this one. I would fabricate and attach trinkets without welding. I don’t know if drilling additional holes would void a warranty. I would call miller before any modiication.

[HMW]

Darmik

One of the guys in the shop found the surge protector you mentioned. Its $61.97 at "unigue truck equipment" or www.uniquetruck.com. Looks just like yours. We often wondered why just removeing the battery cables would prevent damage since there are lots of other grounds all over the place. And you know how voltage spikes are, they can go through anything. Guess thats why CAT says to disconnect PCM. We might have to try one of them.


thanks for info

[DDA52]

I made one for my MM210 based on George's plans...with a twist. Instead of making anything that would have to replace existing stuff, with the exception of the upper rack, I made it so to be easily removed and restore the unit to original equipment quickly.

Basically, I made a dual tray to sit in the existing bottle tray. It is set up on risers so as to clear the wheels. I only use 150cf cyls max, so stability isn't a problem at all.....and I didn't have to mess with the axle.

I even used scrap and leftovers I had at the shop to build it. Ran short of 2x2x1/8 angle and popped into Homey Despot to finish it up....that little 3' piece cost just as much as all the other stuff.

FWIW, I did this two years ago and it is still working without any issues. Right now, I have one 125cf and a 150cf on it. Works like a champ.

[ronnielyons]

Dual bottle rack

Go here: http://flickr.com/photos/ronnielyons
Look at the right side of my cart and you'll see the dual bottles I mounted.
Ronnie Lyons
[email protected]

[84ZMike]

Ronnie....can you post up (in another thread) some more info on your 210 carrier...I like it....you may want to submit it to Miller for the contest.
Mike

[Richard]

do NOT use one of those surge protectors and think you are ok. we used to use them even thow Caterpillar said to disconnect the battery cables. then one day while using the surge protector when welding , we fried the computer on one of their trucks ...oops. yea that was expensive . . so now we always disconnect the cables.
please Don't use those surge protectors

[Darmik]

Surge Protectors

surge protectors first of all you really need to know how to "use" them and what ther function is okay when you are welding put the ground clamp as close to the work area as you can because we all know how electricity flows so keep it close.We have never had a problem with what Richard had to say I guess it all depends on whom you talk to.Some service people at cat,finning,detroit diesel, know there stuff and some dont (senior Experience is always better).I dont mean to affend the younger people on here).

[TomVeatch]

... Can you weld to the existing rack without removing it from the welder?...

I really can't speak to the MM251, but my MM180 has what's called "Miller's exclusive "Tip Saver" short circuit protection" that shuts the welder down if the tip shorts to the work. I believe that also prevents you from welding when the welder case is grounded to the work.

At least that's the way it seemed to work with mine. I was trying to tack a tool holder on the cart I built for my MM180 with the welder sitting on the cart. As soon as the arc struck, it shut down. Tried it several times before the light dawned. Took the welder off the card and could do what I needed to do without a problem.

[burnie]

2 cents

I also have 2 bottles on my MM251 but the best mod was putting big air filled tires underneath in place of the plastic wheels. I think they're 6in. diameter (can't recall) but with 2 swivels on the front and 2 straight in back, getting around with those big bottles is easy. I have no prob with stability even with big bottles unless a tire goes low. My floor is screwed from D8's and trackhoes so the plastic wheels were useless.

[Bmxin^Bjorn]

hey darmik i have the exact same battery clamps too ..
there ausome.. where always welding on vehicles cz where in the hitch businuss and never had a problem with em.. i think the only time i forgot to put em on was on a big freightliner and it was running and the alternator got fried from the welding current .. i was welding like 30 feet back from it too , i was shocked that welding current could do such a thing.
i know now tho DONT WELD ON RUNNING VEHICLES!.
i know its not good to weld on the welder that is being used to weld tho.. i have a feeling that a new welder like the 251 has computer like parts and could be fried as well