anyone have experience with the Zena onboard welder? I'm thinking of picking one up.

Thanks,
Steve

no one's got any experience with this thing??

if Zena was onboard my rig I'd welder

http://www.zena.net/

Originally posted by fcfred
if Zena was onboard my rig I'd welder

Yea, Zena Warrior Princess has quite a stinger!

I don't have a Zena alternator but I did read the Zena literature and I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express. I ended up doing a Jeff Fretwell "Option 2" welder for a total investment of $25.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/on-boardwelder/index.html

Zena does make a higher output alternator than you commonly encounter in the Pick-n-Pull by modifying Delco and Motorcraft alternators. Some of this extra output appears to come from over driving it with a smaller alternator pulley. They also have a control box to control current (downward) so that you don't have to use the engine speed to control the current. Their alternator is also electrically isolated so that you can weld on your rig with either olarity. I didn't think that these features were worth the large extra cost because you can easily run all 3/32 rods with a 100A large case Motorcraft alternator.

Some things are hype, like the high frequency DC. All automotive alternators are high frequency DC. I'm not sure what the benefit of this is supposed to be, because it is not anything like the HF on TIG welders, which is what they appear to claim.

i was considering one awile back. the 200 amp welder with custom cables. i bought a licoln instead. if these things work as good as they say for industrial applications, how come there not more popular? they should be makin bank.

it looks to be at least as good or better than the mobiweld unit. The selectable electrode holder looks pretty sweet. The reason that i'm asking is because i can get one for $400 and at that price it seems to be a very viable option if it's any good.

-Steve

Originally posted by offroadr35
i can get one for $400 and at that price it seems to be a very viable option if it's any good.

-Steve

Yes, $400 looks better if you get the accessories. For $600 you could get a Miller 185 or Hobart H175, but $400 is more like the cost of a DC buzz box which the Zena welder should compare favorably with. You also get a high amp alternator to run your winch.

if Zena was onboard my rig I'd welder
I wish I had said that.