Hello again welder77, either of the machines that you have listed as power source possibilities will operate either feeder that you have inquired about very well. Your real consideration at this point should probably be centered on the processes and materials that you will be performing work on. If your work will mainly entail operating FCAW-g, dual shield welding, FCAW-s, self-shielded welding, or possibly some GMAW on heavier sections where you will not be doing a lot of short-circuit transfer the 12VS will be a great choice. If you are going to be using this combination for welding on a fairly wide range of thicknesses, alloys, and materials and running the range of transfer modes the 12RC might be a better choice.
We have 10 XMT304's in our shop and usually operate S22A's or LN-25's from them, the 12RC will operate pretty much the same as the S22A's and weld pretty much anything in any mode of transfer etc., the 12VS will operate more like the LN25 and is probably best suited for operating various FCAW-g, dual shield wires, FCAW-s, self-shielded wires, and GMAW, spray transfer type wires, but not necessarily many of the other wires in short-circuiting transfer modes. I hope this has made sense, the XMT's are somewhat unique in that they have an additional choice for output selection called "voltage sensing feeder", I still don't exactly know what that specifically means in relation to the operation of the machine. One of these days I will do some inquiring to determine exactly what that selection means and does differently from the other selections. Hope this has helped a bit more. Best regards, aevald
Like I mention in my first post,I'm 99.9% a stick welder.Most of my mig welding would be on structural steel and plate up to 1" in thickness.I would do some stainless plate about 1/8" in thickness.
I borrowed a friend's 12VS to start the job.I using Hobart Excel ARC 71 with a shielding gas of 75/25. I'm driving the feeder with the XMT 304 in the voltage sensing mode.The voltage is set at 26
and the wire speed at 385 and the gas set at 30 psi because we are outside and at times fighting the wind.Still trying to find a happy medium because I go from flat to vertical to overhead on the same joint.(Welding 3" box to 3" box).Forgive my ignorance,but with this setting am I in short circuit or spray transfer mode?I guess if I could figure what mode I running in this would help me make my decision.
Lincoln and Miller have taken conpletely different tracks in the suitcase wire feeder world and comparing (or trying to compare) the Lincoln feeders to the Miller feeders won't work.
Lincoln doesn't give you an "either-or" option, the LN-25 will function in a voltage sensing mode with a CC power source but it will at the flip of a switch function as a true constant speed feeder connected to a CV power source.
People who know the Miller feeders sometimes make several incorrect assumptions about Lincoln's feeders. And of course you can add a 14 pin connector to your LN-25 to add voltage adjustment at the box but nobody does this in a world where leads/cords are abused daily.
Just as a aside, we own Lincoln LN-25's (not the new and improved version) and ancient LN-22's and they are the reliable workhorse of the industry. I've actually had customers try to give me broke Miller feeders for free but so far I've always passed. This always makes me question their reliability in the field.
JTMcC.
Hello JTMcC, I'm a little confused with your wording about the Lincoln LN-25, you stated "Lincoln doesn't give you an either or option", did you mean to say Lincoln does give you an either or option? With the flick of a switch you can select the CC or CV feeder circuitry to connect it to either of these types of power sources, the same can be said for the newer Miller 12VS, it does have that option and I believe it does work the same in that respect as Lincoln's LN-25.
As far as Miller's suitcase feeders are concerned, I have not been a fan of their earlier attempts at this sort of feeder, however if you have had an opportunity to operate the newer 12VS you might be pleasantly surprised at the results. If you have only had experience with the older SP-32 then I would agree with your sentiments and say find a good boneyard to deposit those feeders. My $.02. Best regards, Allan
Here are a couple of other things to consider.
If you are doing self shielded FCAW to D1.1 code you will require a constant voltage (CV) power supply or if you elect CC power you will be required to fully qualify your procedures per section 4.
No Self Shielded FCAW manufacturer recommends CC voltage sensing equipment for their wires. They are designed to be used with CV power.
With the CV suitcase you can run anything from 0.030 solid wire to 3/32 gas or self shielded FCAW and do it to any code...... You could even put a push pull gun on that CV suitcase and run aluminum...
If you have to spend the money I think you get way more versatility from the CV feeder.
The voltage sensing feeder does one thing and even with the improvements Allan mentioned, it does not do it as well as the more versatile alternative.
Plus......... With the CV feeder you can set your parameters exactly to what the manufacturer suggests or the WPS calls out for.
When the XMT's are in the Voltage Sensing Feeder position it is in the Constant Voltage Mode, the Main Control Adjust, - adjusts the voltage and the Arc Control - provides Inductance Control. The Voltage Sensing Feeder position with the Constant Voltage adjustment and Inductance Control provides a very nice short circuit metal transfer. For FCAW just set the recommended amperage with the wire feeder control by the XMT meter read out while welding. Adjust voltage to achieve the arc length.
If the machine is not the XMT and has only a constant current weld output; set the amperage with the machines main control adjust. Use the wire feed speed control to adjust the voltage and arc length. Increase the wire feed speed to decrease the voltage. And decrease the wire feed speed to increase the voltage.
Does the Big Blue 302 have a 14-pin receptacle and does it have 24 volts to run a feeder? ...or just controls for remote output and contactor control?
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