invertec V-205 LEMON

[scranm]

So, is there anyone else out there with boards going out on their v-205?
I am very unhappy with this product. The mosfit board went out and they want
3000$ The machine out warranty and they will not do anything to help. This is my personal machine from home so it has less than 40-50 hrs on it. I have also read, it
was made in Italy.

I also found his

http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=37949&page=3

[cruizer]

Kinda need the code and serial# from the machine, but don't whine on a Miler site that your Lincoln is pooched.

There is NOTHING in a invertec that costs $3K by the way, and unfortunately there are preventative mesures you could have taken

[nikodell]

and unfortunately there are preventative mesures you could have taken

Just curious what the preventative measures are as I have an inverter I use sporadically.

[H80N]

Kinda need the code and serial# from the machine, but don't whine on a Miler site that your Lincoln is pooched.

Sorry to hear of your problems .... but each time I hear one of these stories... it re affirms why I spent the extra money and bought my Dynasty 200DX and Dynasty 350 Tigrunner.....

you hear lots of these "just as good as" arguments on the front end.... then the "woe is me"..... "italian/chinese/xxx" fill in the blank.... on the back end....
The bargain hunters... whether they buy a green, yellow, red or whatever color offshore box... seem to have the same issues down the road...

Miller learned that lesson with the Austrian built Fronius made Maxstars.... years ago... the others are still learning that lesson....

I would rather read these stories than live them....
I'll keep mine Blue... Thank you very much....

[cruizer]

True but the dynastys and Maxstars have a boost and inverter board pinned into a interconnect board as well. A couple dabs of rtv on both sides of the boost and inverter board will keep them in place. also want to tighten up the brass nuts on the back side of the output lugs and red lock tite them. From lots of problems with rental fleets to virtually none.

[shovelon]

So, is there anyone else out there with boards going out on their v-205?
I am very unhappy with this product. The mosfit board went out and they want
3000$ The machine out warranty and they will not do anything to help. This is my personal machine from home so it has less than 40-50 hrs on it. I have also read, it
was made in Italy.

I also found his

http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=37949&page=3

Who is they??????

[1930case]

True but the dynastys and Maxstars have a boost and inverter board pinned into a interconnect board as well. A couple dabs of rtv on both sides of the boost and inverter board will keep them in place. also want to tighten up the brass nuts on the back side of the output lugs and red lock tite them. From lots of problems with rental fleets to virtually none.

Gotta love (electronic grade or "sensor safe") RTV. Dabs o' goo have been protecting avionics since at least F4 Phantom days, and used to be common on computer hard drive data and power connections too.

If you ever feel like making a digest of your fixes that would be VERY interesting. Hint, hint, nudge, nudge!

[cruizer]

Now, if I went and did that, I'd never make any money

[scranm]

Who is they??????

04-20-2010, 03:25 PM
Joe S
WeldingWeb Apprentice

Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 11
Re: Warning to all Lincoln Invertec users
Here’s the final update on my welder.

Industrial Electronics can’t fix the board because Lincoln can’t or won’t supply the schematic breakdown for the board because the welder was made in Italy and they just put their name on it and resell it. There are reportedly numerous exploded component failures in the machine.

Generally this repair facility and others I have spoken to do not have a high regard for the inverter type machines. “Popcorn machines” was one description used. The multiple voltage portion is apparently a very weak area and common failure.

My contact with Lincoln was not impressive. This was my third Lincoln welder and definitely my last.

I don’t know what I am going to do for a replacement. I don’t have access to higher amp circuitry so I am pretty much stuck with an inverter. Maybe a Miller Diversion which is at least a single voltage machine. I know that I’ll always be nervous plugging in one of these “throw away welders” that can die so suddenly.

[scranm]

Who is they??????

eem
Solderer

Join Date: May 2010
Location: Beverly, MA
Posts: 2
Re: Warning to all Lincoln Invertec users
I also have recently experienced something similar, unfortunately. I have a Lincoln Invertec V205 ac/dc TIG. It is my secondary welder, and have loved it for the power and portability. I don't use it that much but needed a second welder for my business, and thought having a portable tig that works like my big one would be great. Unfortunately, just after the 3 year warranty, the machine was turned on, and before I could even start to weld, it popped and died. When I opened up the machine, parts on the inverter pc board had melted off. Diagnosis from the welding shop is it's caput...or I can get a new inverter pc board for only 2000. They couldn't find anyone who could repair the board - schematics are tough to come by.

I wonder if it had anything to do with the same issue now, since the last time I had used it I had used it with 110, and when it popped, I was using on 220 for the first time since. I always use it with the 220, except for the few times I have the onsite TIG job. Hmmm. I'm now looking for a replacement as well, but will never get another invertec machine. Paying nearly 3000 for a machine that lasts only 3 years stinks. And I only put about 150 hours on it, and did only a handful of light duty portable TIG jobs. Not worth it.