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WELDER OPERATION
STICK WELDING
The Commander 400 can be used with a broad range
of DC stick electrodes.
The OUTPUT RANGE switch provides six overlapping
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
welding, where the operator would like to control the
current level by changing the arc length.
PIPE WELDING
When using a sloped range, a 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 OUTPUT
RANGE switch to the “230 MAX” position and then
adjust the OUTPUT CONTROL to get 175 amps.
GENERAL WELDING
The seventh position of the OUTPUT RANGE switch is
designed for horizontal 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 400 amps at a 20% duty cycle,
300 amps at a 60% duty cycle and 250 amps at a 80%
duty cycle. Refer to Table B.3 for recommended out-
put setting depending on the tungsten electrode size.
The Commander 400 can be used without a TIG mod-
ule 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. See “Commander 400 Settings When
Using the K799 Hi-Freq Unit” and “Commander 400
Settings When Using the K930-1 TIG Module.” See
the Accessories section for recommended equipment
for TIG welding.
OPERATION
B-10 B-10
COMMANDER 400
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