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AC/DC welder

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Big Jim

03-24-2000 10:11:54




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Recently purchased an AC/DC welder after having had an AC welder for years. A neighbor told me DC is nice to have, especially for welding thinner metal. My Question is- there is a DC+ and a DC- on the welder. What's the difference and under what situations would you use DC+ and what situations would you use DC- ?
Any advice on this would be appreciated.




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Steve U.S. Alloys

03-27-2000 15:15:13




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 Re: AC/DC welder in reply to Big Jim, 03-24-2000 10:11:54  
Hello Big Jim,
AC puts 1/2 the heat in the electrode and 1/2 the heat in the part. DC reverse (AKA DCEP, DC+, DC electrode positive) puts 1/3 of the heat in the part and 2/3rds in the rod. DC- (AKA DC straight, DCEN, DC electrode negative) puts 1/3 heat in the rod and 2/3rds in the part. This information can be utilized for welding out of position, for welding thin sections, for using gouging electrodes for cutting or heating, and for running aluminum SMAW electrodes to name a few.

AC current by nature causes the electrical field generated by welding in enclosed areas to break down with the cycle. With DC current the field is constant and will cause arc wander. Especially if the ground connection is poor. A poor ground connection is easily detected by heat build up in the ground clamp caused by the resistance due to the poor ground connection.

Hope that answers your questions.
Steve

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Fred

03-26-2000 04:53:17




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 Re: AC/DC welder in reply to Big Jim, 03-24-2000 10:11:54  
Well Jim, I see that you got squared away on the different polarities, the guys told you right. But just for kicks, let me increase your vocabulary with one more word. It's called "arc blow". You'll be introduced to him somewhere along the line with the DC welder and usually we don't like to shake hands with that 'ol bird. You'll be trying to weld here and the arc wants to be over there. A few ways to get to know him. Change the ground position or weld toward the ground. Your favorite way may be going back to AC for that particular weld. Grin when you meet him. Fred

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Nellie

03-26-2000 04:10:27




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 Re: AC/DC welder in reply to Big Jim, 03-24-2000 10:11:54  
This was from a very helpful post a few months ago about the subject.

"Here's the difference between AC and DC-/DC+. On AC, 1/2 the heat is in the rod and 1/2 in the metal being welded. On DC+, 2/3 of the heat is in the rod and 1/3 in the metal. On DC-, 2/3 heat is in the metal and 1/3 in the rod. "



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Chuck Fischer

03-25-2000 21:27:56




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 Re: AC/DC welder in reply to Big Jim, 03-24-2000 10:11:54  
Sometimes the polarities are refered to as straight or reversed. You can remember which is which if you think SENitor or REPresentitive. SEN = straight - electrode negetive
REP = reversed - electrode positive
Then get a welders pocket reference book from a welding supply house, you'll find applications for various rods and the recommended polarity.



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Pete

03-25-2000 10:19:04




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 Re: AC/DC welder in reply to Big Jim, 03-24-2000 10:11:54  
DC+ is best for thin metal, it will not penetrate your base material as deeply. DC- will give you even more penetration than AC. Hope this is helpful info.



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