Knowledge is power. ARCON Welding is pleased to share information and knowledge with our customers, potential customers and our distributors. This Bi-monthly publication features ARCON's new products, Workhorse welders used in various applications, distributor news, and technical information to include questions and answers. This publication is designed to offer a wide array of knowledge and topics, some of which we hope you will find useful.

WHAT’S NEW AT ARCON WELDING?
Visit Booth 6073 to see the new STUDMATIC 400 and 800 November 16-19, 2003 at Fabtech International in Chicago. These add-on units will (temporarily) convert your normal Stick/TIG/MIG machine to a stud welder for up to 400 or 800 Amps depending on the size of your welder. We will also present our new line of Low Open Circuit Voltage (LOCV) welding machines which meets the OSHA requirements for increased safety in the work place. Email Maggie Porter at maggie@arconweld.com if you’d like to receive free Show passes.

ARCON would like to remind Workhorse Distributors that there was a small price increase in October on certain models. Distributors should contact Maggie Porter if they have not received the October 1, 2003 Price List.

ARCON’S FEATURED WELDER
The Workhorse Stickweld 300S was ARCON's very first power supply, and operated on Europe's 400 Volt AC primary power. Since then, it has been ARCON's best seller, and is now offered in 240V, switchable 240/480V, 400V, 480V and 575V models. It is a remarkable Stick/TIG welding machine that is designed to be brutally rugged, exceptionally dependable and provides great welding characteristics using easy-to-use controls. This machine offers ARCON's exclusive Constant Power circuitry that makes welding much easier because good welding is not dependent on a steady hand. Customers using the Workhorse 300S include those in the coal mining industry, offshore petroleum industry, shipbuilding industry, repair and rental industries and the paper industry. These portable machines are so tough that they have worked after being dropped 25 feet from a ship and being used as a jackstand under a coal car. The standard Workhorse case is made from a very strong material using reinforced fibergalss. An empty Workhorse case contributes over 17 pounds to the total 80 pound machine weight.

The Stickweld 300S uses ARCON's time-proven SCR type inverter circuitry that continues to amaze even the most experienced Welding Engineers and Maintenance Managers. The un-noticeably slower SCR components allow time to provide protection from spikes and fluctuating input voltage. The welder is thermally protected from all imaginable abnormal conditions using ARCON's unique "5-Zones of Protection" circuitry. The 300S provides welding current from 10 to 400 Amps in two current ranges for stick welding, TIG welding and carbon arc gouging. ARCON's standard carbon arc gouging protection circuitry eliminates harmful currents caused during arc gouging. The thermostatically controlled fan feature greatly reduces the intake of dust into the welder. The machine has Smart Hot Start circuitry that brings the puddle temperature up quickly for good initial penetration and also prevents the puddle from overheating and burning through. The Arc Force control feature allows the operator to adjust the current surge, which results when a drop shorts the arc. When TIG welding, the designed circuitry of this machine makes "burn through" almost impossible when increasing the arc length or welding thin material. TIG welding is much easier when you can forget about holding an exact constant arc length. Ask your distributor for a demonstration today. No other machine in the U.S. market compares to the Workhorse 300S!

MEET OUR DISTRIBUTORS
Earlier this month, George Bell from ARCON visited Strate Welding Supply Company in Jacksonville Florida. Bill Strate and Jim Tharp have exceptional application knowledge and experience in the shipbuilding industry. ARCON has solicited Bill Strate's knowledge and recommendations for the last several years. Strate Welding Supply Company provides equipment, consumables, repair service and on-site training in Florida, Georgia, and western New York. Strate Welding Supply Co. was founded in 1949 by Russell and Gordon Strate. The stores in Jacksonville and Gainesville, FL have been in operation since 1974. Strate Welding Supply Company has been an active Stocking Workhorse Distributor for several years. Strate always has an adequate supply of Workhorse machines in stock for their customer's convenience. Businesses in the Jacksonville area can contact Bill Strate or Jim Tharp at Strate Welding Supply Company Inc., 29 South Mcduff Avenue, Jacksonville, FL (904) 388-2611.

APPLICATIONS AND EQUIPMENT
ARCON receives many requests for dual voltage welders. There are almost always tradeoffs for operator conveniences. The old Powcon Welder was the first to offer advanced auto voltage sensing technology. Since that time, auto-voltage users have experienced everything from decreased output to toasted power supplies. Users were not aware that the power source couldn't be left on when the generator was turned off and then restarted.
ARCON Welding decided it would be better to simplify switching between input voltages, even when using generators, without decreasing the machines potential output. The Workhorse Dual Voltage power source incorporate a single recessed switch in the back of the case. To change between 240 and 480 Volts AC, the operator simply uses a common (flat blade) screwdriver to change the input voltage setting without opening the case! One-quarter turn will initiate the change. When in the 240 Volt setting, the slot should be horizontal. When in the 480 Volt setting, the slot is vertical. To change from 240V to 480V, turn the switch clockwise. To change from 480V to 240V, turn the switch counterclockwise. While the dual-voltage option increases the machines price, it doesn't decrease output and allows generator use without worry.
 

ASK THE TECH

Question: "How is the Workhorse machine able to survive spikes and fluctuating input voltage better than older inverter type welders"?

Answer: The auxiliary transformer in older designs was designed for 50/60 Hz. These welders were often connected to generators at remote work sites. When a generator is overloaded, its frequency drops, and may stay at a reduced frequency as low as 40 Hz. This causes the transformer designed for 50 Hz to saturate, and this may cause damage to the machine from operating at temperatures that are higher than normal. The Workhorse auxiliary transformer is designed to survive abnormal conditions and higher temperatures without being destroyed, and ARCON includes MOVs and a circuit breaker to further protect against short spikes. If desired, the Warhorse option has been made available for all Workhorse power sources, to increase the surge protection when connected to "dirty" power sources and from powerful voltage spikes produced by generators and power producing plants.

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Issue 104 September 2003
Editor: George Bell
george@arconweld.com