Weld time is greatly exaggerated but they are fully invested and can't turn back now. The testing we did with it showed 3/32 could get the closest to their proclaimed 33 rods but 1/8 took it down to about 18. Good or bad, the idea seems like it could evolve in time. Until then a guy would want several chargers and a way to plug them in.

I saw one in use at a grain leg install running 6011 3/32 and the guys seemed to think it was good for grab and go small jobs and no cords.

I think it's $1000 over priced at least.

 

i think battery power welders have been around for some time.

this one appears to be posted 10yr ago

https://youtu.be/hohRgZ-JlfM?si=ByCg_HQ2Mhhu9Xkr

 

Hobart had one over 15 years ago?..Dan had one to test back in the day..


https://www.northerntool.com/produc...0-battery-powered-115v-flux-cored-mig-welder-180-amp-output-model-500539-628570

 

ESAB Renegade VOLT ES 200i ~ $3,600 USD (2024)

This cordless welder runs on 6 Ah, 9 Ah, and 12 Ah DEWALT® FLEXVOLT® batteries. Renegade VOLT provides the power to burn up to 33 (E6013) electrodes on a single charge using four 12 Ah batteries, that are included in the package
https://esab.com/us/nam_en/products...lutions/product/arc-welding-equipment/stick-welders-smaw/renegade-volt-es-200i/
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Awesome move, looks like welding has finally joined the cordless power tool space race!

Still pretty weak with the power density of current battery chemistries but it's a first step, and no doubt the other big names are working on their own versions.

They offered one 4 or 5 years ago. I seem to remember it being self contained, no removable batteries.

 

Yeah. I think the battery longevity and replacement cost was the issue.

Not sure it is a need of mine. While I could do a lot with 33 sticks of 3/32 rod. With batteries it is pretty heavy and I would still eventually need to charge or run it off electricity? At near $4k. Plus need extra batteries.

Cool, but not for me.

I wonder how it compares to a hf125.

 

I think you can use them plugged in like the Hobart did. It uses the battery and the circuit and is charging when not welding. Let's it double the power of a 120v circuit.

 

Like my Maxstar,, I rarely use it. Wouldn't mean a guy has to run it non-stop when he has other stuff. There are places where the cost wouldn't be a deal breaker. Being able to weld from 120 has bout put my engine drives in to retirement.

 

I remember back in the late 80's or early 90's there was a spool gun that hooked to your vehicle battery. It would run off the increased voltage provided by your alternator but not real variable. Many farm shops had them to tack stuff together to limp it back to the shop.

I knew of the Hobart back when but didn't get to mess with it although it had great fit and finish.

I remember working at Fabtech when the Fronius battery machine came out. They were just across the isle from us. The poor new rep had to run up and down a step ladder every 15 minutes for 3 days showing overhead welding off a ladder with no cords. At the end of the show he quit. The Fronius was a solid unit but the cost back then was what ESAB is now.

That next spring I was at a show and one of my rep friends is a DeWalt guy. He had a DeWalt branded Fronius that they were going to private label from Fronius but the cost was even higher. I think it was a short term relationship.

Not exactly sure how DeWalt and ESAB got together but I hear it was a color match/brand recognition thing. I wonder if Lincoln is watching and ready to talk to Milwaukee? How about Miller and Makita? :dizzy:

 

ReadyWelder II - http://readywelder.com/

Dewalt Flexvolt batteries have a 3-year limited warranty. Don't expect them to last longer.

 

if i had a mobile business this would be my very first purchase. pull up in a corolla. weld a few things together. collect my money and go home

https://youtu.be/65zTeLfKTFo?si=Umt5VupHXHjl7onc

 

An older Honda Civic would be more to my liking, but sure.....

 

delete

 

There was a putz in Rutland VT. His mother was rich, lived to very late nineties. I believe waiting for his inheritance he ingested destructive drugs in great volume, over many years. He had a solar business, sponsored Solar Fest in the late 1900s. In the day Solar Fest was a gathering of bald men with pony tails wearing Birkenstock shoes. Yes, they all smoked weed.
His brother moved north, he ran a successful business installing solar & wind power.
Older brother, I would describe as a burn out, drove around Rutland with a pickup load of batteries & welder cable. I'll guess it was a serviceable welder. 2000 LBS of DC power would certainly weld.