As far as 6013's go, a 200 amp inverter will run them fine, as most run from around 120-180 amps and they dont need a high arc voltage to keep them alight
4mm 6013 should run fine on a 200A machene, my littel thermal arc 175 will run a 4mm. tho i only buy 6013 in 2.5 and 3.2 mm now except i recently bought somes 5mm to try
ive found tho far better off with a 7018 if want to put metal in, 3.2 7018 dose a lot more than a 4mm 6013
it runs a 3.2mm 7018 no bother, i dont need to run them on it very often but it will run them and quite well, i've had it running 4mm 7018's but it was struggling then and not welding very nicely and really an ask to far for what is a cheep 175A machene .
i only really tend to use it for bits and bobs now i'll just run a few more smaller rods. if it's looking like more than a handfull of rods i'll go get the big set out
I run 4mm no bother on my loch 160? You don't need 160 amp to burn 4mm.
Off memory I think 130-170 is the working range of a 6013 4mm . The top numbers are the very rarely needed ones 120 Is hot for a 3.2mm in most use so I should just dial 130 and see if you need to go up or down from there (unless it's a proper max it out job )
If you doing half a box a session I suggest a considably bigger set mind
Buying a Machine to suit an electrode size you intend to use frequently but not one after another should really have that electrodes higher end of the range in a minimum 40% duty cycle.
So if I was buying a machine to run 4mm rods quite often but not all the time I’d want 150-160 amps at 40% duty cycle as a minimum. If I was intending on running them consistently then I’d want 150-160 at 100%.
IMHO if your going to start throwing 4mm electrodes in as part of the daily work you shouldn’t consider less than a 200 amp machine really.
Check the duty cycle though mate. If your running even 1 rod at 160amps and your 160 amp machine is 160@10% your exceeding its DC.
Dc figures are given over a 10min period at an ambient temperature.
20% is 2 mins welding 8 mins resting.
Ill check that out . I was going to order a gys e200. But im kinda thinking of buying local theres 3 shops near me and all they sell is termal arc 17se . Or a jefferson 160amp . The jefferson says 60% duty cycle at 160 amps
I really don't rate the gys, they seem to like almost spot welding studs to the PCB for the power connections and they dont stay attached very well i think we've got about 3 dead ones at work, the thermal arc 175 have been thoughly bounce tested tho and put up with it for years, didnt much like falling in a puddel tho. currently bounce testig a jasic 200.