Questions about heat management with MM210

[Saxart]

I've got a MM210 that I love, but I have a couple of questions which the owner's manual doesn't address. For what it's worth, my welder is used for smaller projects and repairs...

1) How do I make sure that I don't exceed the duty cycle of the machine and overheat it? I realize it's an issue of 'time spent welding', but I don't think any of us keep an egg-timer handy when we're welding to keep track of time. Any tricks here?

Also.....

2) Once I finish the last weld of a project, should I leave the unit on and allow the cooling fan to run for a certain amount of time, or can I go ahead and shut it down right away?

Thanks!

[imported_frank865]

I don't know for sure the answers to your questions, but I CAN tell you my experiences with a MM185. I don't think you will be able to exceed the duty cycle in small projects & repairs!!! You'll have to fit, or grind, or go get another clamp, or SOMETHING often enough to let the fan cool your welder. As for letting it run after welding, if you've just run a long time, run it a while, if it was only a short bead, go ahead & shut it down. It's a judgement call :D if any doubt, let it run a while...They're tuff welders I don't think you need to worry about it.
HTH

[fun4now]

like frank865 said odd's are you will never exceed the duty cycle in a home shop, mostly do to like he said you spend a lot more time getting ready to weld than actualy welding. if however you do exceed it it will just shut off, no biggie. its just like poping a circuit braker it will be fine it was desined to protect its self.unless you are running a bead on 1/2" plate about 40" strait without a stop you should be fine. the MM210 is a strong welder and was built to last. dont worry about it just weld and have fun it will take care of its self so you dont have to . ;) as for turning it off after welding , i just let mine run wile i wind up the gun and put away my gloves, hood and shut off the gas. that is usualy about 3 minuits witch will give it plenty of time to take the big heat out , unless i been running it hard then i let it run for about 10minits witch is more than enough.

[Bowtieman31]

To tell you the truth, I've been using my MM251 for production welding lately and I've never exceeded the duty cycle.
I haven't even been able to make the fan come on yet.
I think the MM210 has built in protection, like the MM251. It will shut down before it will overheat. :D

[BillC]

The owners manual has a graph of duty cycle based on 10 minutes. Just follow the graph.

Regards,

[Paul Seaman]

There is an overheat protection built in, the machine will stop feeding when it is above the heat allowed. I've had it happen a few times but not often. You'll love this machine it is a great tool. If I am using it lightly I let it cool a minute or so before shut down, but if I am running it hard I'll let it have 10 minutes and then shut it down. Better safe than sorry is my feeling.

Weld well, weld safe,

[cope]

There is an overheat protection built in, the machine will stop feeding when it is above the heat allowed. I've had it happen a few times but not often. You'll love this machine it is a great tool. If I am using it lightly I let it cool a minute or so before shut down, but if I am running it hard I'll let it have 10 minutes and then shut it down. Better safe than sorry is my feeling.

Weld well, weld safe,

I have never felt warm air coming out of the back of my MM210. I usually leave it running while I put up tools and coil up the gun and ground cable, turn off the gas and last shut down the machine.

[Saxart]

Thanks for all of the thoughts guys.

I suspected what you're saying, but its nice to hear another persons spin on it...