Air Carbon Arc?

Date 11-13-2012 15:48

Hello kolo, I believe that you will find that the reason that most don't suggest CA with an SA200 is due more to it's purpose than it's capability. Likely the folks that often operate an SA200 and post on here are pipeliners and are very picky about the performance of it's arc. CA use "can" have an effect on a machines ability to maintain a consistent arc over the long run. The SA400 that you are speaking of has a lot of snort to it and I am making an assumption here that you are looking to have a maintenance machine that will be used around your place or for more of an equipment repair application. That's my $.02, I am sure others will chime in and add to what I have said. Good luck and best regards, Allan

By kolo

Date 11-14-2012 04:38

Correct, I'm in the North East and aside from PA, not much pipeline up here. I have 3 SA 200's all running and just to give you and example the most I paid for one, a Red Face was 500, had to clean the points and clean out the fuel systems. If I had a good way to transport them I would bring a bunch west to sell them, much better market for them out there it seems.

By ssbn727 (*****)

Date 11-14-2012 05:27

There's an SA-200 section in here as well where you can find more info also.

By DaveBoyer (*****)

Date 11-14-2012 04:50 Edited 11-14-2012 04:55

To air arc with a machine and not harm [overload/overheat] it, You need to run small enough carbon and keep the amps within the ratings & duty cycle of Your machine.

To stay within the rated output on an SA200, Your max carbon diameter is 3/16" and You will be at the low end of this size carbon.

An SA200 is rated at 200 amps @ 40 volts 60% duty cycle.
While a healthy 200 may make 300 amps, You should not run it above rated output.

AS Allan posted, the 400 amp machine has a lot more power to work with.

Read the amperage chart in this link:

http://www.red-d-arc.com/pdf/Air%20Carbon%20Arc%20Gouging%20Data.pdf

By Cumminsguy71 (*****)

Date 11-14-2012 12:24 Edited 11-14-2012 12:28

I agree Dave, use the machine within it's parameters and it's just another rod in the stinger. Carbon Arced with mine last summer, SA250 running 3/16" and 1/4" carbons and welds just fine, passes tensile and bends just fine.

By kolo

Date 11-15-2012 02:08

SAE 400 in ?? will sell around 450, Told those continental 6's will drink some fuel, how many horse is the Continental 245, I have a Deutz from a burned out commander 300 that is around 32 HP if I am not mistaken. This could have the makings of a nice conversion project. Anybody know the HP on the Conti.

By DaveBoyer (*****)

Date 11-15-2012 04:56

It takes about 32 HP to make 400 amps at 40 volts. A newer SAE-400 makes 575 amps at MAX, and the engine has more than enough HP so the generator maxes out before the engine bogs down.

Is the one You are looking at a 1650 RPM or 1800 RPM machine ? Most likely a 1650 RPM.

The HP output of any engine will be lower at 1650 RPM than at 1800 RPM, but not a whole lot.

The 1004.42 Perkins they used in the newer SAE-400 is rated at 71 HP @ 1725 RPM, Your Deutz F3L-1011 is 31 @ 1800.

By J Hall

Date 11-17-2012 15:07

That 400, if it is running well will run 3/8 carbons, and REALLY burn 5/16.
I had a SAM-400 and did a lot of gouging and never had any type of trouble with it.

By Tommyjoking (****)

Date 11-17-2012 23:42

My machine is a pure DC rig, albeit 400amps. I run thick ole carbons off of it and it lugs down and gets loaded up but has suffered no ill effects whatsoever. I run 2\0 lead and as long as it is not getting hot I doubt I can do any damage to the machine. I think this welding myth/story or what have you has to do with people overloading a machine + the arc chattering skip loading you get when arc gouging. No doubt your working any machine when you do it...but if the generator/engine is rated with good headroom I see no issues with it. It is kinda like running your 4 wheel drive trough narly terrain...as long as it is built to the task you will have a good day.