First day running my 200DX... some ups and some downs (tech support needed too)

[Trip59]

So I finally got to feeling better, finally finished everyone else's major projects and got working on my cart (will post pics later). In the process, I decided to break out the 200DX a bit early and give some 6011 a shot. Came out like crap, looked like a sponge (tried it on AC as well as DC+) I only spent a half an electrode on it, I need to play around a bit more to dial it in.

So I switched over and decided to give TIG a go, had some issues getting the flow set, then realized I had shut the gas and forgot to turn it back on. Ok, so past that, got the flow set and gave it a shot. NO HIGH FREQ. Scratch started a few beads and found out that it IS just like riding a bike. 1" and I was back in the groove without issue, like I never stopped

So now I need to go find the 'gap' tutorial and adjust that, also, the display kept kicking to 011. Did this a handful of times in the 10 minutes or so I was messing with it. What's that mean?

So I got to run my new machine that's been staring at me since June, bit up. Had issues with it, big down. Finished the base for my cart, big up. and in the middle of it, had a neighbor stop by so I could weld some exhaust tips on, he gave me enough to have pizza for dinner for the job (I charge materials plus what they think is fair, put it in the tip jar, I'll look at it later)

BTW, MIG splatter in the armpit hurts just as much as the side of your neck...

[Rambozo]

From someone else used to transformer machines. I was really surprised at how much different inverters are with 6011. While 7018 and 6013 came around pretty quick, I'm gonna need to unlearn some old habits as far as 6011. I've heard the same will apply to 6010, and even more so as the voltage is lower unless the box has a 6010 port. I'm still working on it. It's almost like you have to do things a little backwards, when you would close up the arc on a transformer, you pull back a little on the inverter. And when you get in real close that arc force will kick in and bump up your current. Takes some getting used to. The one thing that didn't was the hot start, that was nice right from the get go. Even with a little extra flux, these machines start really nice.

[Trip59]

Yeah, all my time was on huge old transformers. TIG was same but with a hi-freq box on the line. I didn't do much with the stick, but I did get a feeling it felt backwards, glad to hear the feeling was right.

Now, I just have to find the gap instructions and I'll get to run the TIG side a bit tomorrow. I would have liked to use it for more today, but the MIG did the job, just a bit more grinding...

[performance]

So I finally got to feeling better, finally finished everyone else's major projects and got working on my cart (will post pics later). In the process, I decided to break out the 200DX a bit early and give some 6011 a shot. Came out like crap, looked like a sponge (tried it on AC as well as DC+) I only spent a half an electrode on it, I need to play around a bit more to dial it in.

So I switched over and decided to give TIG a go, had some issues getting the flow set, then realized I had shut the gas and forgot to turn it back on. Ok, so past that, got the flow set and gave it a shot. NO HIGH FREQ. Scratch started a few beads and found out that it IS just like riding a bike. 1" and I was back in the groove without issue, like I never stopped

So now I need to go find the 'gap' tutorial and adjust that, also, the display kept kicking to 011. Did this a handful of times in the 10 minutes or so I was messing with it. What's that mean?

So I got to run my new machine that's been staring at me since June, bit up. Had issues with it, big down. Finished the base for my cart, big up. and in the middle of it, had a neighbor stop by so I could weld some exhaust tips on, he gave me enough to have pizza for dinner for the job (I charge materials plus what they think is fair, put it in the tip jar, I'll look at it later)

BTW, MIG splatter in the armpit hurts just as much as the side of your neck...

The unit displays the output when you are trying to start and as long as it continues to weld. 11 amps with the foot pedal sounds about right at the start.
What is your preflow? Also are you in lift start or HF?

The unit does not weld in AC on stick, the last I knew. Set your arc force for about 75%.

[Trip59]

Does not weld in AC on stick? Really?

This was without the foot pedal, using the torch trigger. I set the amps to 85, hit the button and it blinked to 011 for a few seconds. I had pre and post both set to 5, downslope about the same. I had it set to HF, DC, no pulse. I used it in both 2t and 4t (trying out the torch and the pedal) and neither would fire off, I had to lift start even with the HF so I stopped since I knew it wasn't right and didn't want to damage anything.

[performance]

Well, if you had the preflow set to 5, then it won't give you HF for at least 5 seconds. You need to turn that way down, to about .5 or 1. It really is rare you need preflow that long...Remember preflow delays the start by that number of seconds. Going to 11 amps for the start is completely normal.

[Trip59]

Had it set that high so I could adjust the flow. I did hit it and hold it there for longer than 5, still no HF. I'll try again tomorrow with it turned down.

The 200DX really can't do AC stick?

[performance]

It defaults to DC last I knew.