It will work fine. Always weld with a higher grade rod then the base metal you are welding. A 2-3 year life span is completely expected if prepped and welded properly.
Or the very small and portable SS/steel only DC tig by miller called the Maxstar 200. I have one I use in the field for SS repair and fabrication. Great little machine! Sorry I see you want to play with Aluminum. Maxstar is DC only.................Im out.