We recently posted about the new Dewalt cordless welder, which can be used cordless or in a “hybrid” plugged-in mode.
In a comment, Logan pointed out that the new Dewalt welder looked to be a rebranded Fronius AccuPocket welder. After looking over the features, capabilities, and appearance of both welders, we have to agree.
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The Fronius AccuPocket came out about a year ago, but I can’t say I’ve ever heard of the brand or this product. That’s what makes the arrangement beneficial for both Fronius and Dewalt, as Dewalt has the marketing and distribution might to drive sales, and they are likely better equipped to support international sales as well.
Fronius’ AccuPocket product video offers a good introduction of the welder, and gives you a good idea of where and why one might want a battery-powered welder that can also be run in cordless or hybrid AC mode.
Kent
I think this could appeal to HVAC guys, and a few niche markets. I don’t see it having a huge market, but for the worker who needs it, it could be a “how did I live without this” kind of tool.
And like most marketing stuff, the video is a joke. That Honda is a 2kW genset (at peak). You aren’t going to get enough heat from a 16 amp (at 120v) stick welder to repair industrial logging equipment. But at least his uniform is clean!
Eric
Might not be enough for a single pass weld but light passes and cleaning in between will weld just about anything. Especially using 6010 rods.
I think the whole point of the honda genset and the hybrid mode is to supplement the battery so that you don’t drain them as quickly. Inverters can create the voltage necessary for welding from some pretty pitiful power sources. My Miller dynasty 200 packs a punch even running from 110V.
Scott Davis
I’m an HVAC guy it would have a little bit of use with me, being as lightweight as it is makes it intriguing.
I also install and repair cave gates. Most gates are in remote locations and this is very interesting for a gate repair, couldn’t use it on an install unless it was a small gate. We have been using Miller’s small stick welder and it works well for gate repairs and it will run off a 2kw genset. Its also lightweight and comes with a nice case. Dragging a welder through a muddy crawl way is a good way to ruin it. I would love to test this thing out on a cave gate to see how it would work and how much welding I could get done on a single charge.
Jay k.
Im an hvac guy, and niche markets… has anyone else seen a cordless vacuum pump. I’ve seen one and thought it was awesome although i don’t mind alligator clipping to the disconnect???
Farid
GAST (www.gastmfg.com) makes several models with 6 ,12 and 24VDC rating which would be easy to adapt for use with rechargeable batteries. They are quality pumps.
The ones I’ve seen listed only go down to 29″ Hg , so I doubt they generate enough vacuum for HVAC use . To get down to 500 micron or less, you almost need 29.9″ Hg Vacuum. Best to contact them and check though if it can be done. You’ll need really high capacity batteries to run long enough to properly evacuate a system.!!
glenn
We do HVAC also and would like to see cordless vac pumps available. That would see us virtually mains free on our installs..
Closest I have found so far is a 12v pump from the UK. Close. but not really any better than running an inverter and a mains pump.
The power consumption seems low enough on these so the technology seems to be available.
http://www.hvacstore.co.uk/acatalog/Battery-Powered-Vacuum-Pump–12v–DC.html
glenn
And back on topic, for the work we do within HVAC, we have no need for a stick or tig welder. We do however frequently use one of the Bromic mini oxy sets.
http://www.bromicplumbing.com.au/soldering-welding/kits/oxyset.html
Jay k.
Tnx for the posts… i found a lithium pump 14.4v on ebay from japan…
Farid
Thanks for the link, Glenn. I guess at 90-Watts and 12 V, you can use a couple of 4AH batteries and run the pump for an hour or so. Better than I thought!
glenn
No problem Farid, I didn’t notice it first but if you look at the second unit down it actually has a battery on the back, so it must be available in a kit form.
Mostly we only need to run our pump for @5-10 minutes 1-3 times a day so yes a couple of 4ah packs would definitely cover it.
My only concern with these units would be quality as even though they all look like the same unit, there is no consistency with the specs nor are the specs complete.
Hopefully one of the better known manufacturers will release one.
KL
The Hobart Trek was awesome, ITW just managed to botch it with poor marketing, not poor product. I wish someone would pick up the cordless wire feed market. I don’t know how the Fronius works but with the Trek you’re always running off the batteries, if you’re
KL
plugged in then you just happen to be simultaneously charging. But a 110V cord does NOT mean you’re running a 110V machine (and inherent limitations thereof). Think of a charge wire to a battery for a trailer winch; the winch may be able to pull up 400 amps ( assuming 9000lb winch or greater which I realize is not common on trailers for rolling loads) but you need not run 1/0 charge wire as the battery takes the load.
woecki
Fronius is an Austrian company with a long tradition and a pretty good reputation. They come from welders & lead-battery chargers and evolved into welding robots and photovoltaic power rectifiers.
I cant say anything about the accu-welder, but run a welder from ~1950 in my workshop without any problems.
[I’m not related to Fronius in any way.]
JF
Yes agree
Fronius an Austrian company make some of the best welding machines around. Absolutely crap all over millers/lincolns
I’m guessing the DeWalt branding benefits them both in North America.
Although their products are definitely on the high price end
John
The end of the video was good for a laugh! Every tree feller I have ever known doesn’t use a toy welder on construction equipment…..maybe a Miller Big Blue, not a toy!
I was working in Australia 6 years ago and the company I worked for had a number of Fronius Mig welders they used in the fab area. Apparently they were expensive at that time but very good welders. Made in Finland I think.
John
I Googled it. Woecki is right! it is Austria. Maybe I was thinking where the prettiest blonde girl’s come from! 🙂
Jarrett
The Fronius machine works amazing we have two at work. We use it through out the power plant for quick jobs where you don’t want to drag miles of cable. It welds as good as big machine with excellent wetting out. We tested longevity and we could burn 4 7018 1/8 rods with 6″ long passes for each rod before killing the battery. We could burn 6 3/32 rods in the same fashion. This machine is super handy.