Rtech INV160 User manual

www.r-techwelding.co.uk
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INV160 PORTABLE INVERTER
MIG WELDER
OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS

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Thank you for selecting the R-Tech INV160 Portable Inverter Mig Welder.
The INV160 has many benefits over traditional transformer mig welders, including infinite
power control, adjustable arc force and a compact wire feed mechanism to provide very
smooth wire feed and weld characteristics
We want you to take pride in operating our INV160, as much pride as we have taken in
making this product for you. Please read all information in this manual before operation
PLEASE EXAMINE CARTON AND EQUIPMENT FOR DAMAGE IMMEDIATELY
When this equipment is shipped, title passes to the purchaser upon receipt from the courier.
Consequently all claims for material damaged in shipment must be made by purchaser against the
transportation company used.
Please record your welding equipment identification below for future reference. This information can be
found on data plate at rear of machine.
Product MIG INV160
Serial No. ___________________________________
Date of Purchase _____________________________
Where Purchased _____________________________
Whenever you request replacement parts or information on this equipment please always supply
information you have recorded above
This product is covered by 2 year parts and labour warranty, you are responsible for costs of shipping
unit to us, we will cover cost of returning item to you. External items, torch, earth lead etc are covered by
3 months warranty. Any faults/damage found caused by customer will be charged pro-rata.
Please read this operator manual completely before attempting to use this equipment.
Pay particular attention to the safety instructions we have provided you for your protection
The level of seriousness to be applied to each section is explained below
WARNING
This statement appears where the information must be followed exactly to avoid serious
personal injury.
CAUTION
This statement appears where the information must be following to avoid a minor personal
injury or damage to this equipment.

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Introduction
The R-Tech INV160 is a member of our field acclaimed family of welding products.
Premium features include:-
1. Inverter power source – more efficient to operate, provides smoother weld
characteristics than traditional welders
2. Infinite welding voltage to allow fine tuning of weld characteristics
3. Adjustable arc force – controls splatter – ideal for automotive work
4. Digital amp & volt meters
5. Euro type torch fittings for easy torch fitment/replacement
6. 30% Duty cycle at 160 Amps @ 40C
7. 60% Duty cycle at 115 Amps @ 40C
8. Lightweight and portable – Ideal for maintenance and mobile welders
Recommended Processes
The R-Tech INV160 is recommended for the MIG welding processes within its output capacity
of 160 Amps DC
Equipment Limitations
The R-Tech INV160 is protected from overloads beyond the output ratings and duty cycle as
per machine specifications with thermostat protection of the output coils and rectifiers.
Welding Capability – Duty Cycle
The R-Tech INV160 is rated at 160 Amps at 30% and 115 Amps @ 60% duty cycle on a ten
minute basis. If the duty cycle is exceeded a thermal protector will shut machine off until the
machine cools.
Technical Specifications
Model No. R-Tech MIG INV160
Input 240V AC 50/60Hz
MIG Operation Rated Input Power MAX 20A MAX
I-Eff Input Power 11A Continuous
Fuse rating 13A slow blow
Rated Output Current 160Amps Max
Generator required KVA 4.8KVA
Duty Cycle @ 160 AMPS 30% @ 40ºC
Duty Cycle @ 115 AMPS 60% @ 40ºC
Duty Cycle @ 90 AMPS 100% @ 40ºC
Output current Range 30-160 AMPS
No Load Voltage 55-75V
Amperage range 0.6mm wire 30-100 AMPS

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Amperage range 0.8mm wire 50-160 AMPS
Suitable Wire Diameter 0.6mm 0.8mm
Gross Weight 18 KG
Insulation Class F
Safety Precautions
Read entire section before starting installation
WARNING!
Electric Shock can kill – Only qualified personnel should perform this installation. Turn off input
power at the fuse box before working on this equipment. Do not touch electrically live parts.
Always connect the machine to an earthed mains supply as per national recommended
standards.
Select suitable location
Place the welder where clean cooling air can freely circulate in and out of the front & rear louver
vents. Dirt, dust or any foreign material that can be drawn through vents into welder must be
kept to a minimum. Failure to observe these precautions can result in excessive operating
temperatures which can lead to plant failure.
Grinding
Do not direct grinding particles towards the welder. An abundance of conductive material can
cause plant failure.
Stacking
This machine cannot be stacked.
Transport – Unloading
Never underestimate the weight of equipment, never move or leave suspended in the air above
people. Use recommended lifting equipment at all times.
WARNING!
Falling Equipment can cause injury. Never lift welder with gas bottle attached. Never lift above
personnel.
Tilting
Machine must be placed on a secure level surface or on a recommended undercarriage/trolley.
This machine may topple over if this procedure is not followed.
Environmental Rating
The welding power source carries the IP21S rating. It may be used in normal industrial and
commercial environments. Avoid using in areas where water / rain is around.

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Read and follow the ‘Electric Shock Warnings’ in the safety section if welding must be
performed under electrically hazardous conditions such as welding in wet areas or water on the
work piece. Electrical Installation
WARNING!
ELECTRIC SHOCK CAN KILL
Machine grounding and High Frequency Interference Protection
This welder must be grounded to earth. See national electrical codes fro proper grounding
methods.
The high frequency generator being similar to a radio transmitter may cause interference to
radio, TV and other electronic equipment. These problems may be the result of radiated
interference. Proper grounding methods can reduce or eliminate this.
Radiated interference can develop in the following ways
1. Direct interference from welder power source
2. Direct interference from the welding leads
3. Direct interference radiated from feedback into power lines
4. Interference from re-radiation by un-grounded metallic objects.
Keeping these contributing factors in mind, installing equipment as per following instructions
should minimize problems.
1. Keep the welder input power lines as short as possible and enclose as much of them as
possible in metal conduit or equivalent shielding. There should be a good electrical
contact between this conduit and ground (Earth).
2. Keep the work and electrode leads as short as possible. Tape the leads together where
practical.
3. Be sure the torch and earth leads rubber coverings are free from cuts and cracks that
allow welding power leakage
4. Keep earth lead connection to work in good condition – Clean area on workbench
where earth clamp is situated on a regular basis.
Input Connections
Make sure the voltage, phase and frequency of input power is as specified on machine rating
plate located at rear of machine.
Have a qualified electrician provide suitable input power as per national electrical codes. Make
sure machine is earthed / grounded.

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Make sure fuse or circuit breaker is correct rating for machine. Using fuses or circuit breakers
smaller than recommended will result in ‘nuisance’ shut off from welder inrush currents even if
welding at low amperages.
Failure to follow these instructions can cause immediate failure within the welder and void
machines warranty.
Turn the input power OFF at the mains switch & fuse box before working on this equipment.
Have a qualified electrician install & service this mig welding equipment.
Allow machine to sit for 5 minutes minimum to allow the power capacitors to discharge before
working inside this equipment. Do not touch electrically live parts
The INV160 Mig Welder requires a 240V 50/60Hz 1-Phase supply. It requires a 13A supply. It
comes with a 3 metre mains cable attached.
Connect wires according to national coding.
Brown wire – Live
Blue wire – Neutral
Green/Yellow Wire – Earth (Ground)
Connecting to a mains electrical supply
THIS MACHINE IS OF AN INDUSTRIAL SPECIFICATION AND MUST BE
FITTED TO A 13AMP 240V MAINS INPUT
Failure to connect to correct supply will in-validate your warranty
Connecting to an Engine Driven Generator
If connecting this machine to an engine driven generator please ensure
the following
Minimum Generator KVA Output – 4.8 KVA continuous
Generator to be fitted with AVR (automatic voltage regulation)
DO NOT USE ON A GENERATOR WITHOUT AVR
Connecting to a generator without the above minimum requirements will
in-validate your warranty.

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Connections for MIG INV160
Setup machine as per two diagrams below:
Fig 1 Fig 2
1. Earth / Workpiece connector
Connect the earth lead (negative - ) to this connector.
Insert male connector into socket and twist clockwise until tight.
Secure other end of earth lead to Workpiece via the earth clamp.
2. Euro torch connector
Connect Euro type Mig torch to euro torch connector, align torch connector to machine
connector and then turn retaining ring clockwise to secure.
Ensure torch is secured tightly to avoid weld power problems
To avoid electric shock keep the Mig torch in good condition and replace if any of the
insulation is damaged.
3. Mains input cable
Fit required plug as per your electrical installation
4. Gas inlet connection
Connect gas hose to rear of machine and then to regulator on gas bottle. Ensure all
connections are tight to ensure no loss of gas.
Make sure gas bottle is secured to machine securely using supplied chain to avoid
injury.
5. On/Off Power Switch
This turns the INV160 Mig Welder on and off.

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Controls and Settings
Fig 3
1. Welding Voltage
This adjusts the welding voltage (weld power) from 0 to 10. Adjust knob for power
output required by job, preset welding voltage is shown in LED (Fig3.4)
2. Wire Speed
This adjusts the wire feed speed from 0-100%
Adjust the wire speed to suit welding voltage (Fig3.1) and job requirements
When adjusting the wire feed speed a value is shown in the amperage LED (Fig3.5)
This feature allows you to record this value along with the preset welding voltage for
easy setup to specific job when several different welding jobs are being done
3. Arc Force
Gives further adjustment on weld characteristics, on traditional transformer machines
this was known as choke.
Lower setting = softer weld with less splatter and less penetration – for thinner materials
Higher setting = harsher weld with more splatter and penetration – for thicker materials
4. Voltage LED Display
This shows the preset welding voltage when no welding is being carried out
When welding this shows the actual welding voltage

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This allows the machine to be calibrated to BS if required by your company
5. Amperage LED Display
This shows the preset wire feed speed when no welding is being carried out
When welding this shows the actual welding amperage
This allows the machine to be calibrated to BS if required by your company
6. Warning LED
This warning light will come on under these situations
Duty cycle of machine has been exceeded, the machine will stop working and the fan
will continue to run until machine has cooled down. The light will go off and welding
may be carried out again.
If duty cycle has not been exceeded the warning light comes on to warn of either
low input voltage has been sensed or there is an internal fault with machine
7. Power LED
This lights when machine is switched on