APPLETON, Wis., Sept. 29, 2009 - The off-road nation is no longer limited by welders that only run off heavy-duty alternators or bulky automotive batteries. Hobart Welding Products today introduces the Trek 180: a self-contained battery-powered MIG welder and the first professional system for true "off-the-grid" welding. The ultra-portable (52-pound) Trek delivers heavy-duty weld power to fabricate or repair 24-gauge- up to 1/4-inch-mild steel in a single pass. Two internal, high-performance batteries enable the Trek to achieve a 100-percent charge in 90 minutes or a 20-minute, 80-percent quick charge from a standard 115V wall outlet or within a vehicle using an automotive power inverter.

The Trek 180 is designed to meet the demands of off-road enthusiasts and fabricators who require great arc performance in an extremely portable and rugged package that travels from the garage to wherever the trail leads.  

"The ability to weld in remote, inaccessible and radical conditions is a staple ability for the professional wheeler and extreme enthusiast," states Clifton Slay of American Rock Rods. "The Trek 180's greatest attribute is the mobility of the unit and the small amount of supporting apparatus required to operate it. These design elements will be attractive to every level of off road wheeler, racer and explorer."

Hobart offers the Trek 180 with an MSRP of $1,400 US through farm/ranch and hardware/tool retailers in the U.S. and Canada. Prices and availability may vary by retailer.

Power and Portability
Unlike other portable welders, the Trek 180 is a self-contained system designed to operate while plugged in or completely cordless. Its detachable power cord plugs into standard 115V receptacles. Convenient for traveling off-road, the Trek 180 can be charged inside a vehicle with an automotive power inverter (400 continuous watt minimum,) and taken out for repairs almost anywhere. 

Slay adds, "Many breaks do not occur in ideal locations, the majority in the most difficult areas of the trail. A fixed welding system forces you to maneuver your vehicle in close proximity to the broken one. For this reason, a portable welder has many advantages." 

While charging, Hobart's patented AutoPower technology automatically scans the available input charging power as not to over stress low-capacity devices such as automotive inverters.

Two high-performance, internally sealed, lead-acid batteries provide the energy storage needed for welding in remote applications. The batteries feature Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) technology, which allows the Trek to achieve a 20-minute, 80-percent quick charge or full charge in approximately 90 minutes.

When fully charged, the unit delivers approximately 100-inch of continuous weld bead using .030 dia. flux-cored wire on 1/8-in mild steel. Unlike other battery welders, battery power is monitored continuously to provide consistent welding voltage regardless of the charge level. The Trek's low battery shutdown feature disables the welder when the battery runs low, protecting the life of the battery and quality of weld output.

On battery power alone, the Trek 180 offers a rated output of 120 amps, 17 VDC at 20 percent duty cycle. When plugged into standard 115V power, the unit is capable of delivering 180 amps, (an output previously limited to 230V welders!)

The Trek's low 12-amp power draw allows the unit excellent performance when using cheap or low-quality extension cords commonly found in home improvement/hardware stores.

A removable storage bag is a handy compartment for securing all the Trek's cables, MIG gun, work clamp and removable power cord with additional room for extra wire, contact tips and welding gloves. The bag can be detached, allowing the unit to slide under a seat of a truck, or strapped down.

Superior Arc Performance
Inverter-based technology enables Hobart's Trek 180 to control arc characteristics thousands of times faster than conventional transformer technology. As a result, the unit provides welding characteristics - positive arc starts without popping and minimal spatter while welding - that are far superior to any other small MIG welder. This includes highly stable, low-spatter welding with self-shielded flux-core wire and outstanding results when using mixed gas.

The Trek 180 features a durable built-in wire feeder with a quick-release tension lever. Accepting 4-inch spools of .023-.035 wire, its cast aluminum dual-groove drive rolls can be configured for a smooth or knurled feeding performance. Its infinite voltage and wire feed control provides a broader operating window for each wire, allowing operators to quickly and easily fine-tune the welding arc for their desired output on different materials and thicknesses.

The Trek 180 also ushers in a new form of operator/machine communication. LED diagnostic lights on the front of the unit provide quick information on temperature, charging and battery status. The real advantage to operators is the ability to quickly identify if the unit momentarily shut down due to duty-cycle, or low battery; saving unnecessary trips to service centers.

"The Trek is very easy to use, even novice welders will be able to fix many metal breaks on the trail with very little instruction or set up," states Slay. "This is a great welder for .250 and smaller mild steel, which covers the great majority of off road repairs." 

Tough, Durable, Reliable
Leading the way for a new category of durable welding equipment, the Trek 180 was tested to meet the most extreme conditions the unit was designed to encounter. Because welding machines often ride in the back of trucks and get used on tough terrain, they are often subjected to incidental abuse, impact from tools and gear (rocks, jacks, mud, etc.) and covered with dust, dirt and water. To survive this environment, the Trek 180's case is made from impact-resistant plastic that provides superior strength and durability compared to metal cases.

Every internal component was engineered with durability in mind from the built-in wire feeder to the constant-voltage DC power source and inverter circuitry. Hobart engineers comprehensively test each Trek 180 for reliability.

No other welding manufacturer offers a better warranty than Hobart does. The Trek 180 is backed by Hobart's 5/3/1 warranty, which covers power source electronics for three years and the MIG gun for one year on parts and labor.  For more information, visit www.HobartWelders.com.