Are Some Welders More Efficient Then Others?

[Wendelspanswick]

My Tec-Arc 231 mig has a maximum output of 235amps and according to the data plate the input current is 16amps (which seems low to me).
A similar SIP Ideal mig has a maximum output of 240amps and an input current of 43amps, over two and a half times the input current of the Tec-Arc!
Why the disparity?

 

[normspanners]

235A x 26V DC=6100w / 230 AC = 27 amps iput should be roughly the current draw whilst welding at those output voltages which creates those output amperages,
but that varies with wire size and speed. Current inrush is the big factor ie filling the transformer with power ( like a tank with water)
whereas an inverter doesnt have to fill a big void.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Sorry its me being thick, had another look at the data plate and the 16 amp figure is at 60%, 135 amps DC current and 21 V.
Annoyingly no figure is given at 100% but it does state in the blurb that it is fitted with a 25 amp slow blow fuse, so I am guessing that is nearer the mark.
Also the maximum output is 230 amps not 235 as advertised on some sites.
Just trying to work out what size Genny I need on full power?

 

[normspanners]

calc 135x21=2835W / 230AC= 13A ish so hence the 16A stated.
but if mine needs 6kva for 185amps max I would think 8-10kva but with EVC would be about in the ball park.

 

[normspanners]

I am not sure though if a motor running free with a large flywheel could be run and used as a cheap voltage stabilizer come assistance to the inrush currents,
it works on three phase and dont see why it would not work on single.
We had great difficulty starting a 3ph compressor on a friends 240-- 415 converter system till I tried starting the lathe running it up to high speed in highest gear on the clutch and using the chuck as flywheel, the compressor would start easily. The total load was more but the flywheel effect helped the high load required to start the bigger load compressor.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I am not sure though if a motor running free with a large flywheel could be run and used as a cheap voltage stabilizer come assistance to the inrush currents,
it works on three phase and dont see why it would not work on single.
We had great difficulty starting a 3ph compressor on a friends 240-- 415 converter system till I tried starting the lathe running it up to high speed in highest gear on the clutch and using the chuck as flywheel, the compressor would start easily. The total load was more but the flywheel effect helped the high load required to start the bigger load compressor.

I do the same on my static convertor, basically it turns a static converter into a rotary converter.