Not logged inAmerican Welding Society Forum
Forum AWS Website Help Search Login
Up Topic Welding Industry / General Welding Discussion / SA 200
1 2 Previous Next  
- - By jjriley72 Date 09-16-2008 03:19
I'm one of the fortunate ones here on the gulf coast who didn't lose much during Hurricane Ike but my family and I are without power.  I have my SA 200 powering a few lights and fans.  Does anybody know if there is a invertor that will allow me to hook up my leads and run the house. The freezer has just about had it and things are starting to thaw.  I went and stood in line for 2.5 hours for 2 bags of ice.  I just know there is someway to convert the 90 volts at and at least 100 amps (i guess) to run a freezer and frig.  Anyways if anyone has any sources or ideas I'm listening.  By the way if you are wondering how I'm on the internet I'm in my truck on my lap top thats on a very small invertor that I use in the field.  Thanks everyone- John
Parent - - By snuffman (***) Date 09-16-2008 03:21
If you will do a search on inverters you will find a discusion on this subject. Ksellon or Lincolnbobekin can tell you also. I no Lincolnbobekin has put them on some of the machines that he has built.
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-16-2008 03:35
If you need an inverter quick-I would head to a truck stop and grab at least a 1000 watter-it will run the tv and the fridge-if you want to run a microwave or a  hairdryer-you will need to get a 2500 watt continueous-cobra makes a good one and if they are not available at the truck stop-you should be able to get one on line within 5 working days-----they all work good-just make sure you got enough voltage to get what you need done -the little bitty 300watters wont hardly do anything.  the 2500 watters can even run off your truck or car -good luck Ron 405-209-8926 glad yall are all right>
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-16-2008 03:47
The inverter store(online) claims 3 day ups shipping--Don Rowe is another online and also check out inverters R us-they have a vector 3000 that i have used and it worked great-  my personal favorite is the cobra 2550 but I couldnt find it online -does the same as the vector but is about half the size(updated electronics)   -you will need some good cable for feed and grounds
Parent - - By snuffman (***) Date 09-16-2008 03:51
Do you have to go into the generator or can your just wire it up?
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-16-2008 03:58
these are wired up to the 12volt not the generator of your welder-and this is the quickest solid fix-open the picture I send you
Attachment: therebel6608102.jpg (969k)
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-16-2008 04:02
this needs to be hooked up to your battery in your car -or the 12 volt system in your welder-or 12v system in your truck
the trick is to just run some solid cables to your battery and plug it in to the back of the inverter and make sure that you have a  alternator running on the battery
Attachment: therebel6608105.jpg (861k)
Attachment: therebel6608105-5063.jpg (861k)
Parent - By 52lincoln (***) Date 09-16-2008 04:10
you just hook right to your battery and walla.man i'm gonna try that.i'v been trying to trade for something with more auxiliary power .
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-16-2008 04:10
As you can see on the back of the inverter its self explanatory and it doesnt have to be mounted into the welder -the welder needs to be running to keep up the battery-  the shortest route in a quick emergency would be-take a set of jumper cables -cut the jumpers off of one end then put that into the holes on the inverter red/pos   black/neg   then hook up the other end with the jumpers on em to your battery-and this way you have a portable inverter incase something quits charging(which would be my luck)   now if it has 2 pos and 2 negs only one hole in each has to be filled up for it to work so dont let that scare ya
Parent - By 52lincoln (***) Date 09-16-2008 04:14
i just been trying to find something to run lights and stuff like that.i guess you would be able to weld at the same time.it don't have nothing to do with that part of the machine.
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-16-2008 04:14
[deleted]
Parent - - By 52lincoln (***) Date 09-16-2008 04:15
man u lost me
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-16-2008 04:20
52 lincoln-didnt mean to lose ya there  --the guy on the  first post had a emergency and i was trying to get him some emergency information.   ole hurricane ike did a lot of damage and hes tryin to get his place up and a runnin
Parent - By 52lincoln (***) Date 09-16-2008 04:22
i just need to get an inverter,hook it up and it will work.i'm gonna try it and see.i need to run lights and a fan,drills ext.
Parent - - By snuffman (***) Date 09-16-2008 04:25
yeah I wasnt trying to rob his thread I was just asking incase you did so he didnt get started and get in a bind. I hate it when Im already in trouble and then find out I didnt ask enough ?s.
Parent - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-16-2008 06:04
its all good
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-17-2008 06:07
I wanted to add a couple of ideas to help yall out-first of all if you go to the stereo section or a high fidelity store they both sell battery terminals for dual cables-one is made by scosche
Attachment: therebel6608131.jpg (207k)
Parent - - By snuffman (***) Date 09-17-2008 06:12
Thats cool!! Thanks for the info. Hey now I can put my kegerator and stereo on my truck. LOL
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-17-2008 06:20
I thought it was a keganator not a kegarator?
Parent - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-17-2008 06:20
lol
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-17-2008 06:13
now all you guys down there where hurricane ike struck-there is probably downed power lines everybody-if you ask some of the guys hooking up the electric poles if there is any rolled or loose line thats not live-I bet they will let you have it-becuase its trash to them anyway-anyway this line will fit into the battery terminal I showed you and it also fits into the inverter holes perfectly and since its hard wire-when you tighten down the screws /its not coming out
Attachment: therebel6608138.jpg (173k)
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-17-2008 06:17
that is real high line wire and it makes great battery cable and you can solder on battery terminal connections with solder-oreillys sells battery terminal connections and finally you will need a big fat ground strap-so the current can go on through usually can get that  at atwoods or tractor supply
Attachment: therebel6608139.jpg (179k)
Parent - - By snuffman (***) Date 09-17-2008 06:24
Thats good info MacGyver.
Parent - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-17-2008 06:29
or mcgruber (sat night live) took so long to explain how to do it -the building blew up anyway
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-17-2008 06:53
Monster cable works but I dont know where to get it for cheap-cost me $100 to do 1 welder with inverter-of course the high fi shops are overpriced anyway
Parent - By DaveBoyer (*****) Date 09-17-2008 07:12
   I used 2/0 or larger welding cable on the inverters I have installed on boats. I use the Thomas & Betts  terminals and a T&B or Panduit crimper to put them on, and that works well. The Heart inverters came with 2/0 leads and crimped terminals.
Parent - - By sbcmweb (****) Date 09-17-2008 20:58
Now, Ron....You need to get with the program. You need to install a keg in one of your machines with a cooler for food as well.

I know you can do it. Let's see it!! :-) S.W.
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-17-2008 21:34
We have seriously discussed putting together a keganator out of a welder body-refrigerate it of course and  have sliding doors so we could exchange the kegs-this was the original name keganator-so anyway that is what a keganater is, a refrigerated lincoln sa-200 welder body with kegs of beer in it-would be perfect for the vikingbobiking convention---the hoses and spickets would run through the welding lead holes in the front of course- and we would certainly want girls in bikini s serving the beer.   I certainly do believe we need a sa-200 smoker and a ice machine and a food sa-200-now we have to come up with names for those new sa-200 items.
these items are not OEM-I repeat NOT OEM .     at least with these post we have some of the electrical problems solved after all we have to keep the refrigerator running to keep the beer cold.
Attachment: vikingbobiking.bmp (466k)
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-17-2008 21:38
however i still havent figured out the art of how to weld a can of beer to a wooden fence post-so Steve if you would be so kind-I will need your services in the future.
Parent - - By sbcmweb (****) Date 09-18-2008 01:33
Now, you got a real good idea. Serious. I would love to see an SA 200 grill as well. I think with a little work, it could be done & look really sweet. For something like that, bling would be great. I just don't like it on my welding machines. :-)

As far as welding a ber can to a wooden fence post, I stole that from a post on the Texas Pipeline Helper post. I think Big K mentioned it. I thought it was awesome! I couldn't resist. :-) S.W.
Parent - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-18-2008 09:10
yes a grill would look great-would have to use that fireproof paint that is put on wood stoves-its the right shape !
Parent - - By DaveBoyer (*****) Date 09-16-2008 04:22
   My preference in inverters is Heart or Trace brand, these have 3:1 surge capacity V/S the 2:1 surge capacity of the inductor type [but they cost more]. This is a big help when starting induction motors.

    In a pinch, take anything You can get, the bigger the better. Use at least 2/0 cables, and keep them as short as possible.

    A 1,000 watt load on a 12 volt inverter will draw 100 amps on the battery, so hook the inverter to the  vehicle with the most powerfull alternator, and tie the gas peddle down to run the engine 2,000 rpm or more. After You stop using the inverter [if it has been drawing power above what the alternator makes]  let the vehicle run a good while longer at the higher speed, and then an hour at idle to recharge the battery.
Parent - - By 52lincoln (***) Date 09-16-2008 04:25
1000 watts that sounds like alot,i guess you need to be carefull what you plug to it
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-16-2008 04:30
Dave is right-if you have a high power draw then you will definitely need to keep those rpms up-listen to him
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-16-2008 04:31
Dave where can a fellow get one of those inverters your talking about?
Parent - By DaveBoyer (*****) Date 09-16-2008 04:51
    Heart is marketed to the RV & marine industries. Trace used to be marketed to the RV & marine industries, as well as uninteruptable powersuply and the off grid power industry. These are transformer type and incorporate a high power, 3 stage battery charger, as they both use the same components, just different regulation circuts. These are not inexpensive units. The same company that ownes Xantrex now ownes all 3 companies.

    In a camper, boat or service truck the battery charging feature is really worthwhile, as You can properly recharge a large bank with it. For adding on to an all DC machine like You are doing with the SA 200s the charging feature is not as usefull. This type of inverter is much heavier and a bit larger than the inductor type You are using.

     I installed a Heart 1800 watt unit on My sailboat in 1990. It has powered every 1/2 HP induction motor I ever tried to run on it. Some 3/4 HP induction motors run fine on it, others not, depending on starting load and motor design. Brush type 15 amp power tool motors run just like on shore power.
Parent - - By 52lincoln (***) Date 09-16-2008 04:32
thanks for the help guys.i'm gonna give it a try.
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-16-2008 04:43
I noticed that the bigger ones wont actually draw that much power until you plug something high on power into it-power tools generally dont use that much. just make sure your connections are tight.   At least the vectors and cobras(the ones I have used) good luck
Attachment: laptop263.jpg (174k)
Parent - By DaveBoyer (*****) Date 09-16-2008 04:55
My Heart 1800 has this idle feature. Variable speed drills will not turn the inverter on, so to use them I just opened the door on the microwave oven, the light draws enough to turn on the inverter. In the idle mode it draws .03 amp.
Parent - - By djm1987 (**) Date 09-16-2008 14:47
So Lincoln. I have plenty of space to get to my sa 200 battery on the back. Plug it in to the inverter and keep it full of gas and im ready to roll????? Power the appliances?? Bigger the inverter the better? Machine always has to be running right? Thanks
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-16-2008 21:36
yes-needs to be running
Parent - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-16-2008 21:44
make sure she is charging and you shouldnt have to run it at high idle unless your pulling a lot of amps(set down the idle a bit to save fuel but make sure it is charging)
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-17-2008 06:39
about a 3000 watt inverter is about as high as I would want to go on a welder-and i wouldnt be trying to use all that power- may use up to 1500 continuous and you have a 1500 watt reserve for power surges-   the person talking about the bigger alternators on the new trucks is really the way to go -if you want to put one permanent on your machine-make sure your battery and alternator can run sufficient amps and your cables are big enough or they will get hot-I believe a 5 or 6000 watter would  destroy the 12v system of a sa-200 unless you seriously souped up your alternater and put a big battery on it----but if we are just talking working out in the field- a 2550 cobra is more than sufficient for power tools
Parent - - By DaveBoyer (*****) Date 09-17-2008 07:00
I had posted about this a some months ago, but here goes again: The output from the inverter in watts is about 10X the amperage draw at 12 volts. to put out 2,000 watts will require 200 amps on the 12 volt input. A car battery will not provide this for more than a few minutes at best, so the alternator needs to be able to carry the bulk of the load. The limiting factors of alternator output are rotor RPM and drive torque. Unless You put a deticated drive pulley on the motor, You will have insufficient RPM and torque to get high amperage from ANY alternator. Alternators are usually rated at arround 6,000 shaft RPM, so with  the engine running 1,500 rpm You need a pulley 4X larger on the engine than the one on the alternator to get rated output. For enough torque to properly drive a 150 amp alternator You will need doubble belts. Some companies have made "delivery truck" alternators that are designed for greater output at low RPM. These, if You can find one, are the better choice for a direct replacement using the stock drive setup.
Parent - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-17-2008 07:19
Dave thanks Ron
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-17-2008 07:28
I have been using inverters that will pull up to 22 amps/up to 2500 watts   what math do I need to do to match up these inverters? thanks Ron   I have been using regular size batteries and 75 amp chevy alternaters on the welders and so far seems to be working-should I go up in size on the alts or double my belts?-----bigger inverters wont fit inside of a sa-200 anyway. rotations are 1400 to 1550 depending on the year of sa-200 .  just asking if you may know off the top of your head?
Parent - - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-17-2008 07:40
of course the guys who are out welding are just using them for occasional use for some of their AC tools and arent using them for constant power which allows plenty of time for charging inbetween uses.
Parent - - By DaveBoyer (*****) Date 09-22-2008 05:31
   That is the point. To drill a few holes or use a 6 amp grinder briefly will not draw down the machine's battery, but if You had to run a 15 amp grinder for several extended periods over a short time frame the battery would not be able to hold the voltage above the 10.5 or whatever the inverter cuts out at.

    The size inverter You are using is fine, but it would take more upgrades than it is worth to use a really large one at full capacity.

     To have a steady high AC output it would make more sense to drive a power generator [AC output alternator] with the proper belt & pulley ratio to give 60 Hz at welding speed. A dubble belt drive could run a 4 KW unit and a single belt would be fine for a 2 KW.
Parent - By lincolnbobekin (**) Date 09-22-2008 06:00
Thanks Dave-I have been telling the guys that put the 2500 watters on the machines that it cant be used constantly-but if you are just using it for short periods of time then it would be fine on a welder. Some of these people needed it for tools that they would only use ever once in awhile-like cut off saws-drills-and a few other items and they are using there grinders on the dc that comes straight out of the exciter.    Using them for generators for there home is a whole different ball game and serious adjustments would need to be made-
 
Parent - - By tigrooter (**) Date 09-17-2008 19:27
Lincolnbobekin I think I'v seen some pics of a old short hood you did with an inverter on it?
Up Topic Welding Industry / General Welding Discussion / SA 200
1 2 Previous Next  

Powered by mwForum 2.29.2 © 1999-2013 Markus Wichitill