TIG225X AC/DC TIG Welder with Pulse: Key Features

Versatile Power Options

• Dual 120/240-volt input

Advanced Technology

• IGBT inverter powered

Welding Modes for Every Project

• DC Stick Welder (MMA)
• AC TIG Welder (GTAW-PA)
• DC TIG Welder (GTAW-PD)

User-Friendly Operation

• Start welding out of the box

Comprehensive Protection Features

• Cold electrode protection
• Overcurrent, overheating, and power spike protection

Enhanced TIG Welding (GTAW) Features

• High-frequency arc start
• Shielding gas pre-flow and post-flow
• 2T/4T torch trigger lock
• Start and end current tapering
• Up and down slope current controls
• Background base current level
• Selectable pulse frequency level Hi/Lo/Off
• Pulse duty and pulse frequency rate
• AC frequency
• AC balance for weld puddle cleaning
• Pulse width modulation
• AC/DC process switch

Stick Art (MMA) Welding Features

• Electrode anti-sticking feature
• Quality 10-foot stinger clamp
• Change from TIG to Stick with the flip of a switch

Convenience and Usability

• Dinse connectors
• Water cooler connection
• Digital power display
• Built-in shielding gas solenoid
• TIG/MMA (stick) selection switch

Specifications

Breaker Size:

• (120V) 30 amps / (240V) 50 amps

TIG Output in Amps:

• 120 volts: 20-140 amps
• 240 volts: 20-225 amps

Arc Output in Amps:

• Arc 120 volts: 20-120 amps
• Arc 240 volts: 20-180 amps

Duty Cycle TIG:

• 40 percent @ max rating (120/240V)
• 100 percent @ 108 amps (120V)
• 100 percent @ 155 amps (240V)

Duty Cycle Stick (MMA):

• 40 percent @ max rating (120/240V)
• 100 percent @ 76 amps (120V)
• 100 percent @ 139 amps (240V)

TIG Pulse Frequency:

• Low Level 0.5 to 10 Hz
• High Level 10 to 200 Hz

TIG AC Balance Range:

• 30-70 percent

Gas Pre-Flow:

• 0.1 to 3 seconds

Gas Postflow:

• 0 to 15 seconds

Weight:

• 41 pounds

Specifications Table

Input Voltage & Duty Cycle

*note: all values are at 25°C

How to Use the TIG225X AC/DC TIG Welder

Operation for DC TIG Welding

HF (high frequency) ignition allows the arc to be started in TIG welding without touching the tungsten to the workpiece. By depressing the foot pedal, the machine will activate the gas flow and the HF ignition resulting in the arc igniting across the gap between the tungsten electrode and the workpiece. The distance between the electrode and the workpiece can be up to 1/4" (6.3mm). This arc ignition method prevents tungsten inclusion in the workpiece, promotes longer tungsten life, and offers better operator control over starting and stopping the arc.

• Assemble the front end torch parts using the correct size and the type of tungsten electrode needed for the job. The tungsten requires a sharpened point for DC welding.
• Set the maximum welding current (amps) to be used with the Amps control knob, observing the value set on the digital display. Please choose the amps according to the thickness of the metal that needs to be worked on.
• When using the 2T mode, the start current, up slope, down slope, and end current are not in effect. When using 4T mode, there are total four times actions, the first press hand switch to adjust the start current, the second release the hand switch to adjust the welding current, the third press hand switch to adjust end current, the fourth release hand switch to end the welding.
• Hold the torch above the workpiece with the 1/8" (3.2mm) gap between the tungsten and the workpiece.
• Depress the foot pedal partially to ignite the arc across the gap between tungsten and the workpiece. Maintain the 1/8" (3.2mm) gap between the tungsten and the workpiece to maintain the arc.
• The foot pedal may be depressed more to increase the welding current up to the panel pre-set value on the display, or depressed less to decrease the welding current.
• To discontinue welding, slowly decrease depressing the foot pedal.
• Continue holding the torch over the end of the weld until the gas stops flowing.
• 2T Mode: When using under 2T mode, the start current, up slow, down slope, and end current are not in effect.
• 4T Mode: When using 4T mode, there are total four times actions, the first press hand switch to adjust the start current, the second release the hand switch to adjust the welding current, the third press hand switch to adjust end current, the fourth release hand switch to end the welding.

Operation for AC TIG Welding

AC (alternating current) enables you to TIG weld non-ferrous alloys like aluminum, aluminum alloys, and magnesium. These materials have an insulating surface oxide layer that melts at a higher temperature than the base metal, making it difficult to weld the base metal if the oxides are not removed. AC welding current is ideal because the nature of the AC waveform assists in breaking the surface oxide layer. HF arc ignition provides an easy and precise starting of the arc.

• Assemble the front end torch parts using the correct size and type of tungsten electrode for the job. The tungsten electrode requires a sharpened point for AC welding with the TIG225X.
• Set the maximum welding current (amps) to be used with the Amps control knob, observing the value set on the digital display.
• Set the AC Frequency (40-200Hz) and AC Balance (10-90%). AC frequency is usually set to 60Hz. The bigger the AC Balance is, the better the cleaning effect will be. However, in the case of high current, if the AC balance setting is too large it will result in the tungsten needle burning. Above 100A, AC balance is generally set at less than 40%.
• Hold the torch above the workpiece with a 1/8" (3.2mm) gap between the tungsten and the workpiece.
• Depress the foot pedal partially to ignite the arc across the gap between tungsten and the workpiece. Maintain the 1/8" (3.2mm) gap between the tungsten and the workpiece to maintain the arc.
• The foot pedal may be depressed more to increase the welding current up to the panel pre-set value on the display, or depressed less to decrease the welding current.
• To discontinue welding, slowly decrease depressing the foot pedal. Continue holding the torch over the end of the weld until the gas stops flowing.
• Continue holding the torch over the end of the weld until the gas stops flowing.

Selector Switches

1. ON/OFF: This switch powers the machine up when switched to the on position and powers the machine down when switched to the off position. NOTE: The On/Off switch is on the back of the TIG225X.
2. TIG/MMA: Provides selection of TIG or SMAW (Stick) welding modes. Selecting the TIG position provides for TIG welding function. Selecting the MMA position provides for DC SMAW (Stick) welding function.
3. AC/DC: Provides selection of AC or DC current in TIG mode. Selecting the AC position provides for AC welding current output. Selecting the DC position provides for DC welding current output.
4. 2T/4T: In 2T mode, pressing the TIG torch button starts welding, releasing the button end the welding. In 4T mode, there are total four times actions, the first press hand switch to adjust the start current, the second release the hand switch to adjust the welding current, the third press hand switch to adjust end current, the fourth release hand switch to end the welding.
5. Selecting the LOW position places the machine in low pulse mode from 0.5Hz to 10Hz. Selecting the HIGH position places the machine in high pulse mode from 10Hz to 200Hz. Selecting the OFF position places the machine in standard (non-pulse) welding mode.
6. This connection is designed to supply power to 110/220V (dual voltage) water cooler. Do not use this connection to power any other device. (4 amp max. output.) When operating on 110V input, the welder will only output 110V at this outlet. Similarly, when operating on 220V, output will be 220V. If using with a single voltage cooler, be sure to unplug and discontinue use of cooler until the welder can be operated on the correct voltage needed to supply the cooler or severe damage to the cooler may result.

Control Dials

A: Welding Current: Provides adjustment and control of the main welding current. Adjustment range: 10-225 Amps (220V), 10-40 Amps (110V).

B: Pre-Flow: Provides adjustment and control of gas flow before it is ignited. It should normally be longer than 0.5 s to provide shielding gas to the nozzle tip outlet to cover the welding start point and the tungsten electrode. In the case of a longer gas line from the cylinder, the pre-run time should be longer. Adjustment range: 0.1-3 seconds.

C: Start Current: Current appearing in the circuit after pressing the button in the grip handle. The higher the initial current, the easier it is to ignite the arc. However, when welding thin sheets, too high an initial current can lead to the burning of the sheet. In some welding modes, the current does not increase in order to heat the welded element. Adjustment range 10-225 Amps (220V), 10-140 Amps (110V).

D: Up Slope: Time of welding current rise from the start current to the set welding current value. Adjustment range: 0-10 seconds.

E: Base Current: Provides adjustment and control of the background welding current during pulse welding. Settings represent a percentage of the peak welding current. For example, peak current set at 100 amps with background current set at 20% (20 amps) it means the output current during the pulse cycle will go from 100 amps down to 20 amps during each pulse cycle. Adjustment range: 5-95%.

F: Pulses Per Second: Provides adjustment and setting of the pulse frequency when the machine is set in Pulse mode. It adjusts the amount of times per second (Hz) the output current switches from the peak current setting to background current setting. Adjustment is 10 - 200Hz (high) and 0.5 to 10Hz (low).

G: Pulse Duty: The ratio of the peak current in a pulse period, allows you to adjust the depth of the penetration. The increase in pulse duty increases the penetration depth, the reduction reduces the amount of heat entering the material, reducing the risk of burning thinner sheets or smaller elements. Lower pulse duty values should be used for higher currents. For example, a ratio of 30% should be used for currents greater than 200A. The larger pulse duty should be used for small currents, for example, a ratio greater than 50% should be used for currents below 100A. Adjustment range is 10 - 90%. 

H: Down Slope: Time of welding current dropping from the value set to zero or the value of the end current. Adjustment 0 - 25 seconds.

I: End Current: Current used in some welding modes, when the arc is not extinguished immediately after the welding current sinking. It allows filling the crater and the end of the weld. Adjustment range 10 - 225 Amps (220V), 10 - 140 Amps (110V).

J: Post Flow: Provides adjustment and control of gas flow after the welding arc is extinguished. Post gas flow prevents contamination of the weld pool during its cool down period from molten state to solid at the weld finish and keeps the tungsten electrode protected from oxidizing atmosphere during the cool down cycle. The Post Gas flow time will depend on the tungsten size and welding current that is being used, when the Post Gas flow is set correctly, the tungsten electrode will have a clean shiny finish. Adjustment 0 - 15 seconds.

K: AC Frequency: Adjusts the AC output frequency to control the arc cone width and improve directional control of the arc. Adjustment range is 40 - 200 Hz.

L: AC Balance: To understand how balance control works, you first need to understand why aluminum and magnesium require an AC welding output. These materials have an insulating surface oxide layer that melts at a higher temperature than the base metal, making it difficult to weld the base metal if the oxides are not removed. AC welding current is ideal because the nature of the AC output assists in breaking the surface oxide layer. The AC Balance dial is for adjusting the current flow time between positive (+) and negative (-).