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B-7
OPERATION
B-7
TYPICAL FUEL CONSUMPTION
Refer to Table B.2 for typical fuel consumption of the
Commander 400’s Engine for various operating sce-
narios.
Table B.2 Deutz F3L 912 Engine Fuel Consumption
WELDER OPERATION
STICK WELDING
The Commander 400 can be used with a broad range
of DC stick electrodes.
The OUTPUT RANGE switch provides six o
verlapping
slope controlled current ranges. The OUTPUT CON-
TROL adjusts the current from minimum to maximum
within each range. Open circuit voltage is also con-
trolled by the OUTPUT CONTROL in the slope con-
trolled setting. These slope controlled settings are
intended for “out-of-position” welding, including pipe
where the operator would like to control the current
level by changing the arc length.
PIPE WELDING
When using a sloped range, high open circuit voltage
setting provides the softest arc with best resistance to
pop-outs. To get this characteristic, set the OUTPUT
RANGE switch to the lowest setting that still provides
the current you need and set the OUTPUT CONTROL
near maximum. For example: to obtain 175 amps and
a soft arc
, set the OUTPUT RANGE switch to the “180
MAX” position and then adjust the OUTPUT CON-
TROL for 175 amps.
When a forceful “digging” arc is required, use a higher
setting and lower open circuit voltage. For example: to
obtain 175 amps and a forceful arc, set the to the “230
MAX” position and then adjust the OUTPUT CON-
TROL to get 175 amps.
GENERAL WELDING
The seventh position of the OUTPUT RANGE switch is
designed for hor
izontal welds with all types of elec-
trodes especially low hydrogen. The OUTPUT CON-
TROL adjusts the full range of 50 to 575 amps. This
setting provides a soft, constant current arc. If a more
forceful arc is desired, then select the proper range
from the slope controlled current ranges.
TIG WELDING
The Commander 400 can be used in a wide variety of
DC Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding applications for
DC TIG welding up to 400A at a 20% duty cycle, 300A
at a 60% duty cycle and 250A at a 80% duty cycle.
Refer to Table B.3 for recommended output setting
depending on the tungsten electrode size. The
Commander can be used without a TIG module or Hi-
Freq Unit for scratch start DC TIG welding. Using a
K799 Hi-Freq Unit or K930-1 TIG Module enables DC
TIG welding without having to scratch start. The end of
this section also details Commander 400 settings
when using either of these units for DC TIG welding.
Also refer to the Accessories chapter for recommend-
ed equipment for TIG welding.
ARC GOUGING
Set the output range switch to the General purpose
position (50-575). For current setting, refer to The
Procedure Handbook of Arc Welding, section on arc
gouging (13.5) or the consumable manufacturer’s rec-
ommended current rating.
COMMANDER 400
Low Idle - No
Load 1350 RPM
High Idle - No
Load 1900 RPM
DC CC Weld
Output 400
Amps @ 40 Volts
Auxiliary Power
10,000 VA
.30 gallons/hour
(1.36 liters/hour)
.78 gallons/hour
( 3.55 liters/hour)
1.84 gallons/hour
( 8.36 liters/hour)
1.32 gallons/hour
(6.00 liters/hour)
83.3
32.1
13.6
18.9
Deutz F3L 912
44.2 Hp
@ 1800 RPM
Running Time for
25 gallons
(Hours)