If money is no option, get the 325. The sound level is the best selling point alone. Ten 325s are as loud as one 302.

I love everything about my 302 except the noise.

 

i like mine and now all i need is a 251 box and i will have AC tig capability also

I really like this machine it's like a swiss army knife lots of things it can do with the proper attachments

And having the wire feeder is very nice but the RC has limits so one of these days i will get a VS feeder for it

 

Might want to read Cruizers 325 thread over on the Miller board. Seems the 325 do have a few issues.

 

We have both at work. Both weld great. The 325s we got have the excel power on them which allows you to weld or run power at idle. So if you go with 325 look into excel power really quiet.

 

Walker,

Thanks for the heads up on the 325 thread on the Miller forum. I'm in Texas where hot temperatures are the norm. Think I'll pull the trigger on the 302.

 

I have a 325
It got a new fuel modulater thing.
The day after I got it back from the shop it was 102 and it ran all day in the sun

 

I've had some problems with my 302EFI at high temperature while continuous welding (one stick right after another for a while). But I've got it mounted up against my headache rack. I've since cut a hole in the headache rack and took off the cover on that side (the side with the fuel pumps and lines) and not had any trouble. But I've also not used it as hard on a hot day either.

 

Well heck, without the excel power option the price is pretty close. I do have a question though, if the excel power option keeps the unit at idle, what is full power for? Excuse my ignorance.

 

it's an economic thing ...my 302 goes to full throttle when you pull the trigger on a grinder or charging batteries and your not doing anything else

The excel power lets it idle when doing the same thing...depending on current draw

 

The excel power also lets the machine weld at idle. Have run 7018 5/32 and .045 flux out of ln25 and the machine kind of briefly idles up when you stick an arc then just idles back down while welding.

 

Yeah they're bragging about a 40 to 60 % savings in fuel costs on the new models

But the fact that the price has doubled from when i bought mine...Those fuel mizer engines are expensive fuel injected with O2 sensor feedback electronic controlled...like a modern car or truck

But they are basically the same Kohler motor with a different top end and controller

But the prices on all NEW things will come down in the future and maybe i will look at a new one then...couple to 5 years down the road

 

The machine doesn't need excel power to weld at idle.
All 325s have "auto speed" that adjust the engine speed bast on current draw

The excel gives 2400 watts of 110v Ac power at an idle.