Lincoln expands welding generator line

Diesel Progress North American Edition, August, 2004 by Dawn M. Geske

Expanding its engine-driven welder generator line, The Lincoln Electric Co., Cleveland, has introduced the three-in-one Air Vantage 500 welder generator. Serving three power functions, the new Air Vantage 500 unit combines a welder, generator and air compressor into a single compact package for railroad, mining and heavy-duty maintenance and repair. Lincoln has also expanded its Ranger line with the Ranger 250 LPG and Ranger 3 Phase welder generators.

Adding the compressor to the Air Vantage 500 was to meet certain applications where customers want arc gouging, explained Eric Snyder, product manager, engine-driven welders at Lincoln. "They need the combination of the arc that a welder provides and the compressed air, which is used to blow out the melted metal created by the arc," he explained. The Air Vantage 500 welder has a compressed air rating of 60 cfm at 100 psi at 100% duty cycle and uses a direct gear-driven VMAC rotary screw compressor. The compressor also supports plasma cutting, the company said.

The unit has an 240 Vac electrical output of 20 kW three-phase and a continuous 12 kW single-phase of 120/240 Vac. The all-copper, Lincoln-wound alternator is driven by a 3.3 L, four-cylinder, inline, liquid-cooled Cummins B3.3 diesel engine rated 56 hp at 1800 rpm. The engine is packaged with 12 V electric starter, two-stage dry type air cleaner and a furl filter with water separator.

Lincoln uses its Chopper Technology to push 500 amps of de power at 100% duty cycle for stick, TIG, MIG or flux-cored welding processes. The Chopper Technology takes the dc power generated off the alternator and creates a chopping effect by the turning the dc power source on and off at high speed. It is then smoothed through an inductor to control the arc.

Simultaneous welding at up to 250 amps and auxiliary power up to 12 kW, three-phase or single-phase, is delivered using the weld output terminals and 120 V GFCI, 120/240 V full KVA single-phase and 240 V full KVA three-phase receptacles. An output control dial selects output levels and displays the amps and volts selected on two separate display meters. Fore- gauges monitor engine temperature, fuel level, oil pressure as well as usage hours.

Designed for easy hauling, the Air Vantage 500 welder generator includes a stainless steel full enclosure with sliding engine access door. The trait weighs 1690 lb. with dimensions of 50.8 in. long x 31.5 in. wide x 63.1 in. high.

The new Ranger 250 LPG is an engine-driven welder generator powered by a low emissions LPG engine for indoor use by contractor teams, owner-operators and maintenance and repair shops. "Some companies have policies that they won't allow gasoline or diesel inside their factory," explained Snyder. "LP gas becomes the choice in these cases because it has a cleaner emissions."

The Ranger 250 LPG is equipped with a two-cylinder, four-cycle, air-cooled Kohler OHV Command CH20S LPG engine rated 20 hp at 3600 rpm. The engine features an aluminum alloy block with cast iron liners, electric start and an LPG regulator and vaporizer.

The 482 lb. unit powers 9 kW of peak and 8 kW of continuous ac auxiliary power. Chopper Technology is used to deliver 250 amps at 100% duty cycle for stick, TIG, MIG, flux-cored as well as pipe welding and arc gouging processes. Concurrent welding and auxiliary power call be generated at 200 amps while powering 2.7 kW.

The unit features four welding selection modes including CC-stick, CV-wire, Touch-Start TIG and downhill pipe, full-range output control dial, hourmeter and a flip-down door for control panel protection of lesser used controls. Two 120 V GFCI duplex receptacles and a 120/240 V receptacle is provided for auxiliary power loads. The unit is housed in a full enclosure measuring 36.2 in. x 21.5 in. x 42.3 in.

Another recent addition to Lincoln's lineup, the Ranger 3 Phase welding generator, targets a niche segment of fine farming and ranching industry that powers irrigation circles or pumps that run on 480 V, said Snyder. "It has three-phase 480 V power for those that have a need for portable power more than welding and basic stick welding for those that have an occasional need for welding."

The Ranger 3 Phase welder delivers 11.5 kW peak three-phase and 10.5 kW. single-phase, driven by a two cylinder, four-cycle, air-cooled Kohler OHV Command CH20S gasoline engine rated 20 hp at 3600 rpm. Specifically designed for stick welding, the unit has an output of 225 amps at ac, 210 amps at dc and 200 amps at c.v. at 100% duty cycle. The Ranger 3 Phase allows 145 amps of welding with a simultaneous 4.5 kW load.

The unit weighs in at 538 lb. and features an hourmeter, fine output control, four position output range selector and polarity switch. Power is provided from two 120 Vac GFCI receptacles and one 120/240 Vac full KVA receptacle.

Lincoln manufactures its engine-driven welding generator line at its facility in Cleveland along with the copper windings for its alternators.