Dual operator phase control engine driven welder

An engine and generator driven welding machine comprising:

• a first phase controlled power source;
• a second phase controlled power source;
• a first welding output connected to the first phase controlled power source;
• a second welding output connected to the second phase controlled power source;
• a linking circuit, disposed to select one of a CC output and a CV output, and connected to the first and second welding outputs;
• a controller, connected to the linking circuit, wherein the controller includes an output selector to allow the user to select between the CC output and the CV output.

A method of providing welding power comprising:

• providing power from a first source;
• providing power from a second source;
• selectively connecting an independent mode in which the power from the first source is provided to a first output, and connecting the power from the second source is provided to a second output, whereby the first output is independent of the second output;
• selectively connecting a combined mode in which the power from the first source is provided to the first output, and connecting the power from the second source to the first output, whereby the outputs of the first power source and second power source are combined;
• and
• controlling the magnitude of both power sources in response to a single user controlled selector, when in the combined mode.

A method of providing welding power comprising:

• generating power and providing it to a first phase controlled power source and a second phase controlled power source;
• providing power from the first phase controlled power source;
• providing power from the second phase controlled power source;
• controlling an output selector to select one of a CC output and a CV output in response to a user input.

A welding machine comprising:

• a first power source;
• a second power source;
• a first welding output;
• a second welding output;
• a linking means for selectively connecting the first and second power sources in an independent mode such that the first power source is connected to the first welding output, and the second power source is connected to the second welding output, whereby the first welding output is independent of the second welding output, and further for selectively connecting the first and second power sources in a combined mode such that the first power source output and the second power source output are connected in parallel and connected to the first welding output, whereby the outputs of the first power source and second power source are combined, wherein the linking means is connected to the first and second power sources;
• and
• a controller means for allowing the user to select between the independent mode and the combined mode, and for allowing the user to select the output magnitude with a single selector that controls the magnitude of the output of both the first power source and the second power source, when the user has selected the combined mode, wherein the controller is connected to the linking circuit and the first and second power sources.

An engine and generator driven welding machine comprising:

• a first phase controlled power source;
• a second phase controlled power source;
• a first welding output;
• a second welding output;
• a linking means for selecting one of a CC output and a CV output, wherein the linking means is connected to the power sources and the welding outputs;
• and
• a controller means for allowing the user to select between the CC output and the CV output, wherein the controller means is connected to the linking means.