AlphaTig 200x query

[Ders]

Anyone out there with an alphatig 200x ever hook a suitcase wire feeder up to it? A miller extreme 12vs is what I have. Looking for an inexpensive tig stick combo that will run it instead of my vantage 400.

 

[American Locomotive]

Unless the AlphaTig supports "Constant Voltage" mode, you will have a lot of issues trying to run a wirefeeder on the "Constant Current" mode that most TIG machines use. It's not impossible to do so, but it's tough to get good results.

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

Should work just fine, there is a switch inside the 12vs to select cc or cv. I used to run a 12vs on older miller big 40’s and aead type engine drives with no problem. If your tig can do stick welding just set it on stick mode, if not, turn off hot start/lift arc so your running on scratch start.

 

[American Locomotive]

The CC/CV switch in "CC" mode will cause the wire feeder to constantly vary the wire speed to try and maintain a certain arc length. In CC mode, it's also only really good for spray-welding. IIRC, they really only recommend flux core wire when running in CC mode as well. A 200A machine would be pushed to just about the absolute limit trying to maintain spray transfer.

You can try it, but I suspect you will have a lot of trouble.

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

^It actually runs flux core really well on anything less than 1/4. I put my coarse setting in the 150 range and dial in the fine adjustment to get my voltage right. Ive done .035 solid with with gas before on 1/2 plate. With a little tuning of the dials it came out acceptable. I was running 200-225 amps close to maxed out but enough that i was getting some undercut so i know i had enough heat.

 

[Ders]

Thanks for the info. Those welds look fine to me. Most of my work these days is lighter steel anyway.

 

[American Locomotive]

That's kind of my point, lighter steel at lower currents (where it won't spray) will rely on short-circuit and globular transfer, likely giving you worse results. If you search for "Wire feeder constant current" on Google, you will find a lot of discussion about the issues others encountered, especially on smaller machines.

But you can try it, the worst that happens is you get a cruddy weld. The best that happens is that it works fine for what you're doing. Unless you're doing structural or submarine welding - then don't try it.