Hi...
The manual for my Clarke 180EN rates the duty cycle at 25% at 120 amps. I was curious about 1) what the duty cycle was at the maximum current of 180 amps, and 2) at what current (if any) the duty cycle was 100%. So I phoned Clarke USA and here's what I was told.
Frankly, this sounds like... well, we Americans would say "complete BS". What's the point of rating the duty cycle if it should be ignored the way this guy described? But I recognize that reality doesn't always match theory. Is the description above how welders operate their machines in practice? I realize that pros use machines with much higher duty cycles so that they can weld continually; I'm referring to home and light industrial users who would use machines like the Clarke 180EN.
The manual for my Clarke 180EN rates the duty cycle at 25% at 120 amps. I was curious about 1) what the duty cycle was at the maximum current of 180 amps, and 2) at what current (if any) the duty cycle was 100%. So I phoned Clarke USA and here's what I was told.
- They have no idea; they only know the one duty cycle spec in the manual.
- I should feel free to keep on welding until the thermal cutout shuts down the wire feed. At that point, the lighted switch will go out but the fan will keep running to cool the welder. Wait until it cools off, (approx. 2 1/2 minutes) and the thermal cutout resets, the light comes back on, and then start welding again. He claims that this is perfectly safe for the welder.
Frankly, this sounds like... well, we Americans would say "complete BS". What's the point of rating the duty cycle if it should be ignored the way this guy described? But I recognize that reality doesn't always match theory. Is the description above how welders operate their machines in practice? I realize that pros use machines with much higher duty cycles so that they can weld continually; I'm referring to home and light industrial users who would use machines like the Clarke 180EN.