Welding inverter "Tesla": characteristics and reviews

The need for a reliable connection of various kinds of metal parts in everyday life arises quite often. More recently, it was almost impossible to buy a good welding machine at a low cost. Previously, only bulky, expensive and consuming a lot of electricity transformer devices were used to connect metal parts. However, relatively recently, a fundamentally new type of welding equipment appeared on the market - inverters. Such devices are inexpensive and compact. Very often in the domestic market today you can find, for example, Tesla inverters.

Who produces

According to the suppliers of these devices, they are produced in the Czech Republic, the oldest company with a 30-year history. Many consumers doubt the reliability of such information and believe that these devices, like many others today, are made in China. But be that as it may, according to the official version, Tesla welding inverters are manufactured by a manufacturer from the Czech Republic, specializing in the assembly of not only devices of this type, but also other similar equipment, and supplying its products to more than 30 countries of the world.

What are the advantages of the devices?

The advantages of models of this brand include, first of all, the optimal combination of price / quality. In operation, Tesla inverters, according to many consumers, are reliable. In addition, they are compact and quite rich in functionality. To the advantages of inverters of this brand, many consumers include quite a wide range. Also, the advantage of Tesla devices is considered not to be a very high level of energy consumption. Equipment from this manufacturer is practically insensitive to power surges. Such problems do not affect the quality of welding. According to the manufacturer, under reduced voltage, these inverters can operate in normal mode.

Model flaws

The main disadvantage of Tesla's devices is considered to be some “flimsy” of their design. This equipment is poorly protected from mechanical shock. Therefore, you need to handle it carefully. Also, the disadvantages of devices of this brand include a not too well-thought-out cooling system. Work with the Tesla inverter only in places with good natural ventilation. In summer, it is advisable to shade this equipment during welding.

An indirect disadvantage of this type of equipment is also the fact that in most cases it is semi-professional. This manufacturer does not supply too cheap household amateur devices to the market.

Range of welding inverters

The Tesla company supplies the following devices to the Russian and Ukrainian markets:

• MMA 251;

• MMA 255;

• MMA 275;

• MMA 303;

• MMA 280;

• MMA 277;

• MMA 201;

• MMA 235.

At the same time, the MMA 277, 303 and 251 models are the most popular with consumers. We will talk about these inverters later.

Model MMA 277

Actually, the MMA marking itself, like any other inverter, in the Tesla apparatus means that it is intended for manual arc welding with direct current. The MMA 277 device has earned good consumer reviews primarily because it can operate in a rather large voltage range. It is very convenient to use it in the country. This modern device does not respond to undervoltage and does not overload the network.

The power button on this model is located on the rear panel. Among other things, MMA 277 is equipped with forced cooling systems and protection against overheating. The welding current controller for this inverter is located on the front panel. Below it are the power and overheat indicators. In the event that a current passes through the apparatus, the first is lit in green. When the inverter overheats, the color of the indicator changes to yellow. Even lower on the model are connectors for connecting welding cables.

Like most other modern welding inverters, the Tesla MMA 277 is equipped with the functions of preventing sticking of electrodes and a “hot start”.

Specifications MMA 277

The table below shows the main parameters characterizing this model.

Consumer reviews on the MMA 277 model

Technical characteristics of the Tesla 277 welding inverter, therefore, is relatively good. Opinions about this device on the network are different. Functionality, taking into account the rather low cost of this model, is considered by many masters to be pretty good. The quality of the seam, according to consumers, this inverter gives very good. These models appeared on the domestic market not so long ago. However, for many consumers they have been available for several years and work quite well.

The advantages of the MMA 277 inverter, many home masters, among other things, include light weight, the presence of a convenient handle, as well as the possibility of attaching a belt. These devices are quite comfortable to carry.

The disadvantage of the MMA 277 model, like most other Tesla devices, is that some consumers consider it the uncertainty in terms of the manufacturer. On various kinds of specialized forums, users sometimes do not even advise contacting these devices when buying a “pig in a poke”. However, there are good reviews on these inverters on such resources. Many believe that the advantages of the MMA 277 model, like many other Tesla devices, are quite a lot.

Tesla Inverter 303

In addition to manual arc welding, this machine can also be used for semi-automatic or argon-arc. The 303 device has two modes - two- and four-stroke. That is, it is convenient to use it for welding both short and long seams. In TIG mode, this device can work with any metal except aluminum and its alloys. Unfortunately, the TIG torch complete with the 303 inverter is not supplied. You need to buy it separately.

Included with the device are:

• torch for semi-automatic welding (3 m)

• Abicor Binzel Wire Charged;

• electrode holder cable (3 m);

• network cable (2 m);

• mass cable (2 m).

To work with flux wire in the device you need to change the polarity. The gas connection in the Tesla 303 welding inverter is located on the rear panel. Below is a cooler.

Specifications Model 303

This unit costs more than MMA 277. But at the same time, its functionality is richer. The table below shows the technical specifications of the Tesla 303 welding inverter.

Tesla Inverter: 303 Model Reviews

The advantages of the apparatus 303 home masters include primarily its high power. This Tesla inverter, for example, pulls a wire of 1 mm without any problems. Also, many consumers believe that this device has a very good implementation of the hot stratum system. Another advantage of this model, like most others from the Tesla manufacturer, is the long warranty period. If the device breaks through no fault of the owner within 3 years after the purchase, the company undertakes to repair it for free.

The disadvantage of the 303 is primarily the lack of a digital display. Also, some netizens note the fact that defective devices of this modification can often be found on the market.

Model MMA 251

This unit has compact dimensions. And therefore it is very convenient to use it at altitude or in inaccessible places. The MMA 251 model can work at a network voltage of 140 V. All the functions necessary for convenient use are present in this inverter. The weight of the model is only 3.2 kg.

Specifications

The good performance of the Tesla inverter MMA 251 is determined, of course, primarily by the reasonableness of its design. Below is a table with the technical characteristics of this model.

Consumer opinion

Reviews about the MMA 251 Tesla model from home masters, as well as about other inverters of this manufacturer, were relatively good. Most consumers find them reliable enough.

Company Service Reviews

Judging by the reviews, Tesla inverters break down quite rarely (with the exception of, of course, defective models). However, if repair is necessary, the owner of such equipment may have to suffer. Reviews about the service of the Tesla company on the Web are, unfortunately, not very good.

The cost of devices

One of the undoubted advantages of Tesla devices, as already mentioned, is not a particularly high price for them. Compared to other European models, these inverters are actually not too expensive. For example, the price of the MMA 277 device is only about 6600 - 7000 rubles.

More powerful Tesla inverters 303 cost between 22-25 thousand rubles. The price of small models MMA 251 may be equal, depending on the supplier, 5000-5500 rubles.

What you should know about

The number in the marking of such equipment indicates welding current. Unfortunately, the Tesla welding inverters, reviews of which are otherwise pretty good, are practically not the case. Many consumers do not advise to focus on the numbers displayed on the display. In most cases, the welding current for these inverters is less than declared.