I'm ready to buy an onboard welder, but not sure which is the best?

A homemade one! unless you have a grand to drop..

I have the Premier. Got it when they first came out. Been working 100% ever since.

Bud

i really like the ready welder, its not underhood, but thats kinda a plus.

I have an old linc-arc. Identical to the Premier. I think they were built by the same person and just sold by both, but it works great.
I have used it quite a bit, because for a while it was the only welder I had.

Actually I also have a Linc-Arc. It was made by the same co. I bought it just about when they first came out. Never had a problem with it yet. Saved a lot of poor souls from sitting on the rubi or duzy and TDS to name a few. Don't know what the heck I'd do without it now.

Bud:)

the 2 battery's tied in series with weld lead works so well that I wouldn't waste the money on anything else.

Originally posted by Rockit
I have an old linc-arc. Identical to the Premier. I think they were built by the same person and just sold by both, but it works great.
I have used it quite a bit, because for a while it was the only welder I had.

According to the former owner of Linc-Arc, Harry (can’t remember his last name), he told me that in the beginning there was only Linc-Arc and he and Pat Gremillion were partners. At some point in time the partnership dissolved and Harry continued to build Linc-Arcs and Pat built Premier Power Welders. According to Harry there were internal differences between the two brands. Then due to health reasons Harry sold Linc-Arc to Pat (I think this was around 1999-2000). Near the end of Linc-Arc’s life the Linc-Arc’s had Miller Soft Start Technology which I am not sure if Premier has now or not.

So maybe at some point in time there may be some significant differences between Linc-Arc and Premier.

I’ve got a Linc-Arc with the Miller technology and I am very happy with it.

Harry still sell's the Linc-Arc at some of the event's. And all you stated is true from what I've heard form him. Far as I know the regulator is different on the new ones.

Bud:)

Don't overlook the Zena unit. $400. More expensive than a home built, or a couple of batteries strung together... but a decent unit. For "field" repair, two batteries are fine... I have a TIG back home, for a "nice repair"... Still the ZENA fits the bill for a portable welder fairly well.

Pretty much a heavy duty 150A Alternator. Double duty as you can use it as an alternator, then flip leads around to double as a welder. Also quite nice for diesel folks, as you can get them with a 24V regulator for the battery charging.

Zena 150A 100% cuty cycle unit on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1772216635)

Bascially the "current control" is pulsing the alternator's field... works fairly decent, and what I loved about it is no messing with the engine rpm. Just crank the engine up to speed... then adjust that knob on the stick holder to adjust current. With the premier unit, on a fellow's rover, it was really picky about getting the right rpm to get a decent weld... with the Zena unit, you just crank up the engine to 3000 rpm... adjust with the knob, and weld.

I don't have it under the hood of the Cruiser, but had mocked it up and played with it first. Back burner for now, as I have way too much other stuff to get done!

Tom :usa:

I just setup my Mobi-Welder this weekend. Bought it two years ago, it sat until yesterday. :D I love it. You regulate amperage with the RPMs, etc. Their new units are more self contained, can use any alternator...

Bryan

I own a ready welder and am very happy with it I've welded frames back to gether, spring hangers on, motor mounts and numerous other items, the only draw back is the need for 24 volts, but you can weld on your own truck without problems or worries, a draw back of the premier. I have a good friend with a premier and it is an awsome working machine, I've also used my ready welder on it. For general field repair I woudl by another ready welder in a heart beat. I've been doing enough on the trail that I've thought about purchasing a premier to run the ready welder so that I don't have to rewire my batteries every time I need to do some welding, and have an outlet for power tools, I use air tools now and may continue with this since air tools are a little more forgiving to being exposed to the elements. I've also contemplated adding a bottle to the truck so I don't have to use flux core or atleast not have the flux core splatter. But I am very happy with the ready welder that I own. For info on purchasing one PM me.

Originally posted by YELLER BLAZER
but you can weld on your own truck without problems or worries, a draw back of the premier.

You can weld on your own vehicle, as long as you're using a + stinger. I was using 7018 on my own vehicle this weekend. Per MobiWeld, that's the same with all on board welders, but I can't say for sure about Premier.

Bryan

Originally posted by YELLER BLAZER
I draw back is the need for 24 volts, but you can weld on your own truck without problems or worries, a draw back of the premier.

I've used my Linc-Arc on my own rig multiple times with no problems. What is supposd to happen??

You run the chance of shorting out the rectifier which also kills the altenator. Not saying this happens everytime but the potential is there. The unit can be issolated fromt the truck which helps but doesn't neccessarily cure the problem using the + lead to weld with should take care this problem, but I've had it happen to me even following the proper instructions so as a precaution I stand by don't do it.

It was my understanding that as long as you didn't lose the ground while welding there would be no problem. At least I've never had a problem with it before. I thought the problem was that you could blow out the computer. Which in my case would be a 700.00 dollar computer that comes with the JFI. But as I said, no problem so far.

Bud

Get yoself a Jeff Fretwell home brew welder:

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

1) It is as good at welding as any of them and you can do it for less than $50. With 105 Amps, you can run all 3/32 rods.

2) Most of what you read about special welding alternators and high frequency DC is just hype. They get the extra power by driving them faster with a smaller pulley, but a smaller pulley tends to slip under high load. All alternators are high frequency DC, and the higher the RPM, the higher the frequency.

3) This is the POR board and Jeff is the Treasurer.

I have the ready welder. I LOVE IT!!!!! Heres the deal, you are buying this welder for trail EMERGENCY. The truck with the broke frame or what ever that cannot be removed. HE IS BLOCKING THE TRAIL and you have 3 or 10 trucks between you and him. The UNDERHOOD welder is NOT going to cut it.
Yes it will be inconveinent to carry two batterys and the welder, BUT it can be done. The only advantage I see with the underhood welders is the big alt. Dont be fooled into thinking you will have to buy some bad ass batterys. I have used some normal 600cca batts and then put them back into the truck like nothing had happened. I have never killed any batts with this welder. PM me for any answers (no, I dont sell them)
P.S. I bought mine on ebay for 360.00 new.

Dan

I built the home build welder that Pin Head talked about and you can't beat it. I've fixed frames, tie rods etc you can't beat it especally for $50.

I have the Ready Welder too. I use it mostly for welding on the truck and not on the trail. Absolutely the most convenient except for the batteries.

If your looking for the best welder for you rig, put down the $1,000 and get a premier power welder. enough said it's not mobile, but your rig is

If your looking for the best value, make your own. For about $200 max you can get all the ammenities all of a premier at 1/5th of the cost. There are pages all over the web,
aww hell here's two of the most popular

Moose's at island 4x4 with a ford alternator;
http://members.shaw.ca/milton/weld/weldunater.htm

and John's at huv with a GM alternator;
http://www.huv.com/jon/jeep/Welder/on-board-welder.html


Or just buy this guy's
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=84216