Wondering about HF on Syncrowave 200.

[Synchroman]

Hi,

I've been getting familiar with my new/used 2006 model Syncrowave 200. It works nicely on steel, s/s and aluminum. I've looked in the manual and snooped around Google and so on looking for an answer to this question to no avail as of yet.

I was wondering - is the HF on constantly while the machine is welding aluminum using AC current? I know that there are variable starts, like soft, medium and hot. I'm pretty sure that the HF is only used on startup for the DC+ and DC-settings but I was wondering whether it stayed on constantly during AC operation like my old Lincoln. Could it be that one doesn't need constant HF to maintain the arc when square wave is available?

I was also woindering the purpose of the little bulton underneath the amps setting knob. The manual calls it the "Main Amps Control" but I seem to be able to change the amperage by using the large knob above it without pressing the button.

I'm certainly pleased with this machine for sure.

Thanks in advance.

SM

[SignWave]

Im kinda scratching my head over the same issue and im inclined to believe that this machine does not provide HF because it is a magentic machine rather than an inverter machine.

Just my own thoughts. I may be wrong, I may be right..

[Steve]

I just looked over the manual for a sync 200 from Miller. Without the serial number for your machine I got whatever. Anyway the machine seems to operate entirely by electronics. It knows if you have AC tig selected and would provide continuous hi freg. It knows if you select DC tig and would provide hi freg on start. As for the little black button, you push it and turn the dial to set the amps you want to use. IE, push button, turn dial to 120 for 1/8 7018. Or if you only need say 100 amps max on your foot pedal, push the button and turn the dial to 100. Then when you press pedal down all the way you will get only 100 amps. Happy welding.

[SundownIII]

Synchroman,

The Sync 200 (for Sign Wave's benefit) is a "transformer" based machine. It does provide squarewave output. In AC mode the HF is on all the time. HF is required on this machine to maintain an arc as the wave transitions from positive to negative.

The inverter based machines (Dynasty 200, 300, 350, etc) operate with an advanced squarewave (or other waveform) which makes the transition from pos to neg much more rapidly than a transformer based machine. Therefore, HF is used for arc starts only and is not required for maintaining an arc.

One of the biggest advantages of an inverter based machine (aside from lighter weight and lower power consumption) is the ability to adjust the frequency/cycles. Higher frequency will give a tighter arc and deeper penetration. Lower frequency gives a broader arc and less penetration. Transformer machines are limited to 60 cycles (or whatever is provided by the power company).

Hope this sheds a little light on the discussion.

[SignWave]

Synchroman,

The Sync 200 (for Sign Wave's benefit) is a "transformer" based machine. It does provide squarewave output. In AC mode the HF is on all the time. HF is required on this machine to maintain an arc as the wave transitions from positive to negative.

The inverter based machines (Dynasty 200, 300, 350, etc) operate with an advanced squarewave (or other waveform) which makes the transition from pos to neg much more rapidly than a transformer based machine. Therefore, HF is used for arc starts only and is not required for maintaining an arc.

One of the biggest advantages of an inverter based machine (aside from lighter weight and lower power consumption) is the ability to adjust the frequency/cycles. Higher frequency will give a tighter arc and deeper penetration. Lower frequency gives a broader arc and less penetration. Transformer machines are limited to 60 cycles (or whatever is provided by the power company).

Hope this sheds a little light on the discussion.

That's a much better reply than what i provided. I think

[Synchroman]

I figured it out...read the manual!

Thanks. I should have known that the HF was on continuously when utilizing AC for TIG. I just wasn't sure.

I re-read the manual and I think I have found at least one use for the small button underneath the main amp control knob. According to the book, when this is held down for seven seconds at the time that power is turned on, it permits you to change the HF Syncro-starting characteristics.

Depending on which type of current you have chosen you can then cycle the HF start characteristic through soft, medium or hot. The default position is medium. I learn something new every day.

Thanks for the responses.

[tdkkart]

I can tell when the HF is working on my Synchro 180, it makes my cordless phone in the shop ring.
Yes, the HF is on for starting in DC mode until you have a well established arc.

[HMW]

I've got the 180 also. When on AC you cant hear the radio DC no problem, easy to tell which you have it set on.