Portamig settings

[VL1500]

Hi Folks!
Can some kind soul help me out here with settings for portamig 185?
After about 4 years I've finally got it all connected up and ready to go.
So, looking at the "Mig welding" tutorial I consulted the Portamig power setting chart and found settings from 1 to 9.
Guess what, I ain't got these on mine! I've got 2 separate knobs named coarse and fine.
Anyway, after 300 years of trolling around the forums, I think I've got it sussed.
Power setting Chart.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Portamig controls.
C1/F1
C1/F2
C1/F3
C1/F4
C1/F5
C2
C2/F1
C2/F2
C2/F3

These 2 charts were supposed to be side by side but there was no way I could get the system to accept it, it wouldn't reproduce the columns alongside each other!

What dyer reckon? Have I cracked it or have I worked it out wrong?
All donations gratefully received!
Pookeringrom.

 

[penfold]

Looks plausible. I would suggest phoning or emailing the chaps at Technical Arc where it was made, they have a rep for being very helpful.

 

[Psymon]

I have a 181 and the settings go like this.

C1 - F1 Lowest Setting
C1 - F2
C1 - F3
C2 - F1
C2 - F2
C2 - F3
C3 - F1
C3 - F2
C3 - F3 Highest Setting


I presume your settings are the same.

 

[bigbadbugga]

I have the 185 and the settings are as follows....

C1F1....15A (min setting, dependant on setup)
C1F2
C1F3
C1F4
C1F5
------
C2F1
C2F2
C2F3
C2F4
C2F5....180A (max setting, dependant on setup)

Mine will run upto and including C2F3 on a 13A supply with no problem.

 

[VL1500]

Thanks for the replies.
What I was trying to do was to be able to look at a Table or Chart, go down to the metal thickness I'm using, and just set the machine to the recommended
setting. Trouble is, when you look at the Chart shown in the MIG welding tutorial it gives the power settings from 1 to 9 alongside the metal thickness being used, but these don't tally with the 2 voltage controls on the Portamig.
So I've been searching for a similar Chart that will cross-reference the Portamig controls with metal thickness!
Does anyone know if there is one, or have I got it right to just transfer the figures on the above Charts to each other? (Know what I mean? 'cos I'm sure I did 'til I just re-read this!)

Pookeringrom.

 

[shenion]

You have the order of the settings:

C1F1 = 1
C1F2 = 2
....
C1F6 = 6
C2F1 = 7
....
C2F6 = 12

That is 12 settings. the calculator in the tutorials gives 1-12, C1F1 is 1, C2F5 is 12.

That is for the current model with 12 settings, yours may only have 5 fine settings for 10.

 

[Ragnarok]

a: the settings are fairly simple on machines with 2 knobs or several switches, set the course first and that changes the range that the fine works in, if for example you have 10 steps 2 course, 5 fine and you want step 6 set course to 2 fine to 1, if you want step 5 course to 1 fine to 5 pretty simple!

b: how can you buy a welder and not even set it up and use it for 4 years? no not a good idea, it'll be out of warrenty and could have a problem from the factory/transit, who knows.

 

[The Buddah]

I have the 185 and the settings are as follows....

C1F1....15A (min setting, dependant on setup)
C1F2
C1F3
C1F4
C1F5
------
C2F1
C2F2
C2F3
C2F4
C2F5....180A (max setting, dependant on setup)

Mine will run upto and including C2F3 on a 13A supply with no problem.

Hi,

My 185 Blows the fuse box on C2 F3 if used from hall way socket in the house but by using the kitchen ring main it runs on C2 F6 no problem.

Would someone mind explaining to me what amps are being used on the welder settings.

for example C1 F1 = how many amps
C2 F6 = how many amps.

As a newbie i don't have a clue and there's so much to learn.
Am i right in saying that there is chart for how many amps are needed to weld different thicknesses of steel?

 

[Robotstar5]

Would someone mind explaining to me what amps are being used on the welder settings.

If you look on the data plate (usually on back of welder) it will give max current required, some will show min to max current required. Can you post a pic of your data plate?

 

[VL1500]

Much appreciate all your input folks!

Ragnarok, thanks for your response.
Yes the settings are fairly simple.
As you say, for step 6 set Coarse 2 and Fine 1. (But... 2mm metal? 5mm?)
step 5 set Coarse 1 and Fine 5. (But... 8mm metal? 1mm?)

What thickness of metal would these steps apply to? This is why I wondered if there is a chart to tell me what steps to use for the thickness of metal being used?

pookeringrom.

 

[shenion]

As I said, the MIG Settings Calculator gives the results for setting # based on thickness.

For the Portamig 185: Min current 15, Max current 185, # settings 12.

 

[Ragnarok]

you are best off practicing, rather than asking which step to weld what metal thickness, you can be given ball park figures but thats about it, your portamig should weld 0.5-0.8mm very easily on C1 F1, and 5-6mm with out much trouble on C2 F5, and inbetween setting for in between thicknesses of course, there is a calculator on the tutorials section, just put in that your machine is min amps 15 max amps 185 and has 10 voltage steps and it'll give you some ball park figures link

 

[The Buddah]

Hello,

I just used the chart and it looks like my welder was set up about right because when i welded 1.2mm to a 4mm section i had the setting on C2 F4 which according to the chart will weld upto 4.4mm.

It's nice to know when your not far off...........lol especially as a beginer.

Thank you.

 

[VL1500]

Right, can't put it off any longer, I'll just have to get stuck in and see what happens!
Thanks again you lot, appreciate your patience!!

Shenion, looking at your response again I suddenly had one of those light bulb moments.....all became clear! Derrrr!

pookeringrom.

 

[Drains]

I have the 185 and the settings are as follows....

C1F1....15A (min setting, dependant on setup)
C1F2
C1F3
C1F4
C1F5
------
C2F1
C2F2
C2F3
C2F4
C2F5....180A (max setting, dependant on setup)

Mine will run upto and including C2F3 on a 13A supply with no problem.

BigBad - I'm not having a go, but wouldn't it be good if they actually gave you the right data to go with those settings, in VOLTS rather than amps, as volts are what are changed when you change settings. Anyone who welds for a living will tell you that they set their volts and their wirespeed; amps just vary automatically. Admittedly that's not 100% true as with some sets you can set current, but on the whole, that's how it works).
They could tell you what voltage goes with each setting so you can make an informed decision about what is appropriate for any thickness/joint/position, but telling you the current min and max is totally unhelpful and always, inaccurate.