Abstract: A welding machine with a wire feeder and a controller is disclosed. The wire feeder includes a wire feed motor with a motor speed input. The controller is coupled to the motor speed control input. A user selectable wire feed speed input is also connected to the controller. The controller has an input circuit coupled with a non-linear stage such that the relationship between the user selectable wire feed speed input and the actual wire feed speed is not linear. The selectable input may be a potentiometer mounted on a front panel as the user selectable wire feed speed input. The non-linearity may be continuous or two discrete gains.

Abstract: A system and method for powering a welding-type device from a plurality of distinct outlet configurations is disclosed. The power cord system includes a power cord having a plurality of conductors extending therethrough. An end of the power cord is constructed to engage an individual adapter of a plurality of adapters. Each of the plurality of adapters has a prong configuration that is different than a prong configuration of the other adapters such that each of the plurality of adapters is constructed to electrically connect the power cord to a uniquely configured outlet. A welding-type device according to the present invention is quickly and efficiently adaptable to operate at a plurality of different input power signals.

Abstract: A welding machine with a wire feeder and a controller is disclosed. The wire feeder includes a wire feed motor with a motor speed input. The controller is coupled to the motor speed control input. A user selectable wire feed speed input is also connected to the controller. The controller has an input circuit coupled with a non-linear stage such that the relationship between the user selectable wire feed speed input and the actual wire feed speed is not linear. The selectable input may be a potentiometer mounted on a front panel as the user selectable wire feed speed input. The non-linearity may be continuous or two discrete gains.

Abstract: A process is disclosed that monitors a characteristic of a welding gun connected to a wire feeder and, based on the detected characteristic, automatically determines the type of gun connected and sets operating parameters of the wire feeder and/or welding gun accordingly.

Abstract: First and second CV power sources are connected in parallel. The first CV source provides an output sufficient for welding. The second CV source also has an output sufficient for welding, but at is at a voltage less than the voltage of the output of the first CV source and may also have a lower current output. Voltage from the first CV source is blocked from being applied to the second CV source, preferably by diodes or SCRs. The second CV source is a background source with a secondary and a rectifier, preferably a center tapped secondary with a full wave rectifier, and an inductor between the output. The first CV source is a welding source with a secondary and a rectifier, preferably a center tapped secondary with a full wave rectifier, and an inductor between the rectifier and the output.