New welder

[Kent]

IP23 on the Pico and really thick all plastic outer casing that is very tough but flexible so it's almost impossible to break. (Door removed to show construction more clearly)

That looks a cracking bit of kit for site use but just not for me on 10mm structural. Heck do they do an MMA inverter or a MIG / MMA ? That looks like it could take a jostling about in the back of the truck for sure. More like me a "break me if you can" wire feeder unit than your average little site 240v repair MIG

 

[matt1978]

Depends on what you mean break me if you can......we have 230v and 400v MMA's that can be dropped from 80cm onto a concrete floor, a 400v IP 35 CC/CV that can be dropped 60cm and also stand in 2" of water under full load, 180/220/250/300 ACDC tigs that can be dropped 60cm.

But............everything will break if you try hard enough

That Pico looks very substantial, but I guess there will always be a limit to how big manufacturers will make 230v Inverters mainly due to market demands.

 

[Jim Davey]

They do but the next biggest set up goes 415 volt. And 230 volt sets have limited site appeal so it's not going to be a big seller (110 volts forget trying to go bigger than about 180 unless you want problems)
They are investigating doing us a 230 non pulse MIG/MMA machine but it's not off the drawing board yet.

 

[Kent]

Yeah, did a little research and it turns out all is not as it appears its an optional cover not the welder casing

 

[Jim Davey]

Not on the Picopulse, the rugged casing is integral to the machine.
You've probably seen the toughened outer casing for the Pico 162 MMA a machines that are an add on accessory to help protect them on harsh sites.

 

[Richard.]

2 feet on to a concrete floor. That's impressive. I'd love to do that test with a button box from the Far East. It would be a train reck. Saying that though if I did that with my fronius it would probably have some very distinct internal rattles afterwards

 

[Jim Davey]

I know a rep who used to do that test mid demo, the prospective client would be busy welding with the Eutectic Powermax 140 which was really a Fronius Transpocket 1400 and he would pick it up to about waist height and then drop it on the floor, whilst welding.
Ok, the machine is designed to pass the drop test, ONCE. But he was doing this three times a day at least! His luck ran out in the second week, the set exploded loudly and plunged the shop into darkness.
Needless to say he didn't sell a set that day! Lol

 

[Richard.]

They look pretty robust the little transpockets. I've also fancied one of those in the MV version for keeping in the car with a box of 2.5s. yes I can imagine 3 times a week is a bit much for the poor little thing. Mine wouldn't last one drop from knee height. It just wasn't built for that. Which suits me fine as it sits nicely in one place.

 

[Jim Davey]

It was three times a day!!

 

[Richard.]

God. Just goes to show what super little units they really are.

 

[kelvinjouhar]

As Jim says , the machines are designed to survive the drop test ONCE..... so if you buy one second-hand (or ex-rental) you don't know whether it has already been dropped......so whilst it is obviously a selling point for a brand new machine, it's not a selling point for a used one....

 

[Jim Davey]

I've still got one of the first ones, last of about 6 bought 15 or more years ago. It still goes out now occasionally, I can't bring myself to let it go, seems unfair to pack it off to some hairy site welder after all the years of faithful service

 

[matt1978]

I can't remember far enough back now about the Transpockets........but any unit with our crash proof promise is designed to withstand that fall on going, not just once.

A couple of Essens ago (biggest welding exhibition in Europe, if not the world) we had a automatic rig which basically used to pull one of the machines off a shelf at 80cm. It used to do it on the hour every hour and had a welding return and MMA lead plugged in so anyone could test it to ensure it really did work at any time.

When we say crash proof from a given height it means the expensive internals will all still function, it doesn't mean that the front and rear plastic grilles may not chip or crack but they can be replaced in expensively

 

[Jim Davey]

Something like this?

 

[Richard.]

Some gruelling tests there. Especially the dust tests.

 

[Jim Davey]

I'm most impressed by the humidity and vibration tests, saying that I'd not want to end up buying the machine that went through all that if it's all the same to you

 

[Richard.]

No I'd rather buy one capable of passing the tests but not one that's actually been through all that.