voltage for wire dimension

[paulo1974]

hello
I know that this changes from machine to machine but as a user of a synergetic mig machine using a manual is not so easy.
I want to get some ideas for with voltage should i use for a determinated wire gauge. the amperage will be corrected with the wire speed but the voltage should be constant.
A 230v single phase machine usually what from 15v to 26 v.
saying that:
Wich voltage should i use for:
a 0.6mm wire

a 0.8 mm wire

a 1.0 mm wire.

thanks in advance.

 

[hotponyshoes]

If you have a synergic machine that welds how you like just copy the settings from that

 

[Turbo]

Surely the voltage will depend on more than just the wire thickness ie material thickness, weld position, weld type, etc.

 

[paulo1974]

If you have a synergic machine that welds how you like just copy the settings from that

I have more than one machine,i could copy the voltage from the synergetic welder, but i want to pick the mind of expert welders so i can get an idea about voltages and wire thickness. As an exemple can i run a 0.6 wire on a 25 or 26 volts? Without testing i think that i be in trouble.

Surely the voltage will depend on more than just the wire thickness ie material thickness, weld position, weld type, etc.

The voltage should be constant at least as a concept on mig welding. As for welding in different positions and materials the amperage (voltage and wire speed) changes also. But as i said before can i use a 26 volts on a 0.6 wire and get a decent weld? The 0.6 wire should be used to 120 amps max.

 

[hotponyshoes]

I have more than one machine,i could copy the voltage from the synergetic welder, but i want to pick the mind of expert welders so i can get an idea about voltages and wire thickness. As an exemple can i run a 0.6 wire on a 25 or 26 volts? Without testing i think that i be in trouble.

The voltage should be constant at least as a concept on mig welding. As for welding in different positions and materials the amperage (voltage and wire speed) changes also. But as i said before can i use a 26 volts on a 0.6 wire and get a decent weld? The 0.6 wire should be used to 120 amps max.

I'm not an expert. That's why I have a synergic machine!
Synergic programs are basically just voltage tables/feed speeds programmed into the machine. I'd guess (on a decent brand welder) a lot of time and money goes into testing and cresting the tables.

The most noticeable thing about synergic machines is you can set them by choosing what thickness metal you are going to weld.

There are a few more variables than just wire size and voltage.

Most of the 'expert welders' probably won't take much notice of the voltage setting as they instinctively know ball park settings and how to twiddle the knobs to fine tune..
Or they will follow a specific wps

To answer the actual question.
No, I'd say 26v is too high for 0.6mm.
But, if you can feed it fast enough it might well work..
So if you have a 4-roll feeder and a 3m torch you might be able to punch enough wire out to maintain an arc but probably lacking in penetration.

 

[Rrobson]

It doesn’t work like that. You can’t just “set a voltage” and go with it. Wire speed sets the amps, voltage manages the arc length.
Set your wire speed for the joint type and amount of weld metal deposition then set the volts to maintain the required arc length.

 

[Munkul]

Wire speed sets the amps, voltage manages the arc length.

Set your wire speed for the joint type and amount of weld metal deposition then set the volts to maintain the required arc length.

this

 

[Turbo]

Voltage on a mig doesn't just change with wire size.
On my mig the voltage settings are 1 to 10. If I'm welding a thin body panel I use setting 1 or 2 and adjust the wire speed to fine tune the penetration.
If I'm welding 8mm plate I use setting 8, wire speed 7.5.

If I was doing a vertical weld I would be dropping my voltage and ws setting slightly.

Changing from 0.6 to 0.8 wire means a whole different set of settings in both voltage and wire speed.

My welders manual has a set of ballpark figures for setting the voltage and ws for different metal thicknesses and weld positions. I used them as a guide, practiced with the welder and when I get a perfect combination of settings I write it down for again.

There's a good guide in the tutorials section on this forum on setting up a mig.