Capacitive smoothing.

[Andy1428]

New to the forum. Been looking at buying a new mig to replace clapped out Clarke unit. Have pretty much decided on portamig, but notice that Tecarc who make portamig use capacitive smoothing on their Oxford range of migs, but inductive smoothing (an output choke) on the portamig.
Anyone know the pros / cons of capacitive vs inductive smoothing for thin metal usage?

Thanks for any replies.

 

[mike 109444]

Welcome Andy. I think you will find it hard to find someone who has tried both. Here is a good link to a comparison between two machines.
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=37353&highlight=capacitor&page=2
You may have to contact Tecarc to get them to sell you on one or the other with a description of the work you plan to use the mig for.
As they sell both and for near the same price if I recall , then it's not as though they would say "yes sir you want this machine" that is double the price just to get a bigger sale. Think you will find there is a member on here that works at Tecarc.
Also think that most larger migs have inductor and it's the capacitors that are an added

 

[mike 109444]

4th poster down
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=39372&highlight=inductor

 

[Andy1428]

I have searched through the forums and google, and have established that on a single phase machine, capacitive smoothing of the mig output provides a more stable, smooth arc.
The capacitors are in addition to an output choke, and are mounted immediately after the rectifier, but before the choke. The capacitors 'fill in the gaps' on the output of the rectifier and produce a more stable supply to the arc.

The Oxford range from Technical Arc seem to be better built than their Portamig range (capacitor smoothing, and a better quality wire drive), so I will go with Oxford.

 

[Paul99]

The Oxford range from Technical Arc seem to be better built than their Portamig range (capacitor smoothing, and a better quality wire drive), so I will go with Oxford.

That may be but also look at other specs too - I seem to recall the duty cycle of the Oxfords being substantially less than equivalent powered Tec-arc made + re-branded sets - it maybe of no importance to you but certainly worth keeping in mind.