Gysmi welding inverters: review of popular models

Despite the fact that each Gysmi welding inverter is manufactured in Europe (in France), the cost of such equipment is quite affordable. By purchasing this device, every specialist or home craftsman can count on receiving products of truly European quality.

Welding inverters Gysmi

Gysmi inverters - pros and cons of purchasing units of this brand

At first, domestic consumers reacted with great delight to the appearance of welding equipment under the “GYS” brand in our specialized stores. They were impressed by the fact that it was produced using an innovative technology called “IMS”.

Its essence is that any welding machine of the described brand had a single board located on the massive aluminum inverter housing.

Due to this, the company’s welding equipment is a compact unit with an ideal (without exaggeration) ratio of geometric dimensions, weight and productivity.

The boards are directly mounted on the device in complex high-tech production conditions, where all assembly operations are performed without human intervention by robotic machines.

Electronic boards have a high level of reliability, each of their component elements is repeatedly checked, thanks to which the quality of the finished GYS product can be considered impeccable. But, as you yourself understand, during operation any equipment breaks down.

This is where the main drawback of the welding inverters under consideration lies.

The fact is that if a high-tech board fails (and this will happen sooner or later), it is impossible to repair it.

There is only one way out - to purchase a new board, install it on the device and continue to use it again. The trouble is that the cost of this very electronic board is comparable to the price of the entire welding inverter. In fact, when it breaks down, it is not a question of repairing existing equipment, but of buying a new one.

By and large, this would not be a big problem if the GYS equipment worked without failures for a long time. But in recent years, the company has tried to reduce the cost of its units as much as possible, meeting the wishes of customers. The result of this decline was a decrease in product quality. It began to break down much more often.

If you have your eye on, for example, the Gysmi 161, which is popular among Russian welders, or the equally popular Gysmi 131, be prepared for another problem associated with their operation. Their efficiency is not as high as consumers would like.

At the highest permissible loads, the break time during welding for them is at least 70 percent, and at nominal loads you can use, say, the Gysmi 165 inverter, no more than half the welding cycle.

This device makes it possible to carry out manual arc welding using direct current. Gysmi 161 works with welding rods with a cross-section of 1.6–4 millimeters. The unit is characterized by stable operation during power surges, low electrical energy consumption, and compact dimensions. These factors determined the popularity of Gysmi 161.

The inverter design has a special mechanism with a built-in fan that protects the unit from thermal overloads. It is especially in demand among inexperienced welders who experience difficulties when operating other welding installations.

With Gysmi 161 you will not have problems with arc ignition and sticking of welding rods, since the inverter has the “HOT START” and “ANTISTICKING” functions.

Another popular model in Russia from French engineers is a device with a microprocessor for performing welding operations using TIG and MMA technologies.

Gysmi 165 (now sold in a new modification - Gysmi e160) has all the modern functions that facilitate the welding process. The highlight of the Gysmi e160 is that the “Hot Start” function in it is not fixed, but adjustable.

If you consider yourself an experienced welder, the Gysmi 165 inverter will be the best unit for you.

Below we present its key technical parameters:

• dimensions – 12.5x28x20 cm;
• supply voltage – from 190 to 260 V;
• idle (voltage) – 72 V;
• primary current (highest) – 23.6 A (when argon-arc welding), 33.5 A (when using melting rods);
• unit weight – about 4.6 kg.

The welding current for Gysmi 165 is 10–160 A, regardless of the mode used. I would also like to note the presence on the front panel of the Gysmi e160 of a digital display on which you can observe the (changeable) parameters of the welding process. This monitor simplifies the operation of the welding installation.

Thanks to this, the Gysmi e160 can be easily handled by both a true professional in his field and a green beginner mastering the intricacies of modern welding.

This device is lightweight (less than three kilograms) and is optimal for home use. It uses electrodes with a cross-section of no more than 3.25 mm, making it possible for even a person with minimal training to carry out manual arc welding, while guaranteeing high quality of the welding process.

Gysmi 131 is a functional unit that you can use from time to time, performing simple welding of metal sheets and products.

Features of Gysmi brand welding inverters

The Gys welding inverter, as it is often called, is a product of the French company of the same name, which began its production activities in the mid-60s of the last century. Almost until the end of the last century, the company sold its products only in the domestic market of France and only recently began to actively conquer the world market. Thanks to this expansion into foreign markets, GYS today sells about a third of all welding equipment produced to other countries.

Having just appeared on the domestic market, Gys inverters immediately began to enjoy high popularity among welding specialists. One of the main reasons why the equipment of this brand so quickly won the sympathy of domestic consumers was that it was produced using innovative technology at that time, which is known under the abbreviation IMS.

The peculiarity of this technology is that all elements of the device’s electronic circuit are located on one board, which is fixed on a massive case made of aluminum alloy. Thus, the specialists of the French company managed to provide their consumers with a welding machine that, despite its compact size and low weight, has high performance.

Gysmi 161 inverter board

The factories of the French company producing inverters of this brand are fully automated, which eliminates the risk of human factors affecting the quality of the assembly. The management of the GYS company pays serious attention to the control of all components of the equipment produced. Each element of the electronic circuit is carefully checked before taking its place in the design of the device. All these measures taken by the manufacturing company have contributed to the fact that inverters of this brand are considered highly reliable by specialists all over the world.

Meanwhile, IMS technology, which involves placing all the electronic components of the device on one board, has one very serious drawback. If at least one element fails, such a board cannot be repaired; it can only be replaced with a new one. It seems that there is nothing complicated about this, but it should be noted that the cost of a new board is comparable to the price of the entire welding inverter.

Internal structure of Gysmi inverters

Many specialists working with welding equipment manufactured under the GYS brand have begun to note that recently its quality has become noticeably worse. This situation is largely explained by the fact that the company, responding to the wishes of consumers, tried to reduce the cost of its products, which, naturally, had a negative impact on the quality characteristics and reliability of the equipment.

In addition to not very impressive reliability, some equipment models from the French manufacturer (such as the Gysmi 161, as well as the Gysmi 131 and Gysmi 165) are not characterized by very high efficiency. So, if the welding process is accompanied by minor loads, then the continuous operation time of the inverters of these models is no more than 70%, and if the work is performed at the rated current, then this parameter (in particular, for the Gysmi 165 inverter) will be no more than 50%, which, of course, very little.

Duration of switching on of various models of Gysmi inverters

Gysmi welding machine

The Gysmi welding machine has a long history, as the brand belongs to a French company founded back in the 60s. Most of the time, the company focused exclusively on internal needs. Relatively recently, TM entered the markets of other countries.

At the time of their appearance, inverters became popular and widespread in our country, but after a certain period of their use, the situation turned out to be not so clear, since not only the advantages of the devices, but also significant shortcomings became noticeable.

Advantages and disadvantages

When it entered the market, the Gusmi welding machine had several advantages that attracted the attention of users. Among all the general positive aspects, it is worth highlighting the following:

• for production, IMS technology, innovative at that time, was used, which made it possible to obtain equipment of higher quality;
• original design, different from ordinary models of welding machines from other manufacturers;
• well-thought-out and well-functioning cooling system;
• a reliable housing that protects the internal part of the equipment from impacts and other mechanical damage;
• convenient adjustment of parameters;
• Some models included plastic cases for storing accessories.

Subsequently, some craftsmen began to notice that the welding inverter has serious negative aspects. These include:

• complexity and high cost of repairs;
• the fastening system of some components leads to the fact that they are poorly resistant to shock, despite the protected housing;
• the price does not always correspond to the quality.

Important! The unique production system possessed by the Gys welding inverter involves the arrangement of all components of the device on one board. The same board is connected only to the case, which saves space and maintains high performance.

Functionality

Gysmi welding inverters are in the middle price category, and here you can find a considerable number of models with a large power reserve, which makes them closer to the professional field of operation. The main functional capabilities of the technology include:

• hot start – ensures easy ignition of the arc during the start of welding work;
• arc forcing – maintains stable parameters and does not allow the arc to die out even when the electrode is separated from the metal;
• anti-sticking – turns off when the electrode sticks and a short circuit occurs.

Unlike other brands, where these functions are also present, here you can adjust their intensity and parameter values, even turning them off completely.

Model range and technical characteristics

The welding machine (inverter) Gysmi 161 is a compact device that has excellent protection against power surges. According to the rating, it can withstand a surge of up to 400 V.

There is also protection for connection from generators, since in this case the power supply becomes unstable. The device has all the necessary additional functions that greatly facilitate the work of novice welders.

The relatively low power allows you to cook with 4 mm electrodes, which is quite enough for home work.

Welding machine Gysmi 161

The Gysmi 165 welding machine can be used for welding structural and stainless steels, cast iron, copper and other metals.

One of the features is the ability to cook with infusible electrodes in a protective gas environment. On average, it can withstand about 15% energy fluctuations.

All other functions have additional parameter adjustments. The voltage can be increased to a maximum of 60% during a hot start.

Welding machine Gysmi 165

The Gysmi 80p welding machine has microprocessor control. It has unique arc characteristics. This is one of the first devices in the line of this brand. It is relatively low-power and can work with electrodes with a diameter of 2.5 mm.

The weight of the device is small, so with equipment weighing only 2.5 kg you can move around without problems, work at heights, etc. Compactness is the main advantage of the model, since all other parameters are somewhat inferior to larger-scale analogues.

welding equipment

Sometimes buying welding is a whole problem. An inexperienced person in this matter can make a bunch of mistakes and choose a device that is completely unsuitable for work. But even an experienced welder sometimes finds it difficult to resolve this issue, because... There are a huge number of models on the market at different prices and with different technical characteristics. Advice from sales consultants is superficial. Before you go to the store, you should figure out for what purposes you need the unit, what metals you plan to weld and how much you expect.

Modern stores can offer their customers a huge selection of different products: from the cheapest to professional, and, therefore, expensive units. Sales consultants are not always able to advise on the correct solution to the issue. Therefore, visit the online store and study in advance the technical characteristics of each device that is in stock.

Welding inverter Gysmi 161 for $200

Most often in stores you will notice either very cheap welding inverters or very expensive ones.

Sellers put them in prominent places, attaching a flashy price tag in an attempt to attract the novice or professional. In such a situation, inverters from the middle price category disappear from view.

Those devices that are so loved by practicing welders, novice craftsmen and simply those who are looking for a good device for country homemade projects.

We will tell you more about such devices. And in this article, we’ll start with the GYSMI 161 welding inverter. The Gysmi 161 inverter is an unpretentious and well-built device priced up to $250 from a French manufacturer.

general description

Welding inverters GYS GYSMI (as they are often called “gusmi”) are unpretentious devices based on microprocessors. They are designed for MMA welding, also known as manual arc welding. The Gysmi 161 model is equipped with all the functions that will help simplify your work and make your welding more productive. There is anti-sticking, arc force and hot start.

The Gysmi welding inverter model 161 can be used in conjunction with coated electrodes with a diameter of up to 4 mm. And the minimum diameter is 1.6 mm. The main advantages of this inverter are compactness, low power consumption and affordable price. By the way, this model is able to work even with unstable voltage in the electrical network. This advantage will be especially appreciated by summer residents.

The Gysmi welding machine can operate without problems at voltages from 170V to 260V. So you don't need to worry about it. The inverter is equipped with an air cooling system and is protected from overheating. But we still recommend monitoring this yourself without overloading the device. Of the 10 minutes of welding work, cook for 5 minutes, and let the inverter cool for the remaining 5.

The equipment is standard. In the box along with the inverter you will find a convenient case made of hard plastic. There is also a network cable with a regular Euro plug, two welding cables with a clamp and holder. In addition, in the box you will find a strap for transporting the device on your shoulder and instructions.

Characteristics

The GYS MI 161 welding inverter has a completely standard set of characteristics for this class of devices. It operates from a regular 220V outlet (unstable voltage is allowed) and is capable of delivering from 10 to 160 Amperes.

For welding, you can use electrodes with a diameter from 1.6 mm to 4 mm. This is more than enough for household welding. The device is protected from drops of water, but does not react well to dust and high humidity. So pay attention to storing it properly.

The Gysmi 161 inverter is very compact and weighs only 4 kg. You can take it with you to your dacha on public transport, and take it back to your apartment for the winter. The manufacturer provides a 1 year warranty from the date of purchase.

Brief description of the Gysmi 161 model

Inverters of the Gysmi 161 model are quite popular welding equipment. This device allows you to perform work on direct current using electrodes with a diameter of 1.6 to 4 mm. The distinctive features of this model, for which it is appreciated by professionals and home craftsmen, are:

• high stability of operation even with significant voltage surges;
• economical energy consumption;
• compact dimensions and light weight;
• built-in overheating protection provided by a special fan.

Welding inverter Gysmi 161

The inverter welding machine model Gysmi 161 has such useful options as “Hot start” and “Anti-stick”. Thanks to this, Gysmi 161 ensures easy ignition of the welding arc, and if the electrode sticks to the surface of the parts being joined, it ensures its rapid separation from the metal being welded.

Welding inverter GYSMI 161 - is it worth taking, advantages and disadvantages, main characteristics

Are you thinking about buying an inverter? In the store, trying to attract the attention of both non-professionals and specialists, sellers, with the help of bright price tags and advantageous retail space, display expensive or suspiciously cheap welding machines.

In this way, they distract the buyer from inverters at an average cost, which are preferred by: professional welders, non-professionals, and those who need an inverter for homemade projects in the country.

In our article we would like to draw your attention specifically to a well-assembled French-made model: a welding inverter model GYSMI 161 costing up to $250.

general description

The unpretentious welding machine GY GYSMI (popularly known as “gusmi”) with microprocessors at its core can be used for both manual arc welding and MMA welding.

To simplify your welding work, the GYSMI 161 welding device also has the following functions:

• hot start (Hotstart);
• “anti-sticking” (anti-sticking);
• Arc force;
• equipped with overheating protection;
• air cooling system.

Despite the fact that at a voltage of 170 - 260 V GYSMI operates without any problems, you should not put a large load on the inverter; we advise you to monitor this yourself.

For example: for 10 minutes of welding work, operate the inverter for 5 minutes, and allow the machine to cool for the remaining 5 minutes. The contents in the box are standard and include:

• inverter;
• a travel bag made of thick plastic;
• network cable with European standard plug;
• for transportation on the shoulder-strap;
• welding cable with clamp and holder (2 pcs);
• instructions.

Characteristics

As for the standard set of characteristics: even taking into account the unstable voltage, the GYS MI 161 device is capable of delivering from 10 to 160 Amps from a simple 220 V outlet, which is acceptable for this level of welding machines.

For household welding, it is enough to use electrodes of 1.6 - 4 mm. It is worth following the storage rules, since the inverter is not afraid of water drops, but it reacts poorly to high humidity and dust.

The GYS MI 161 device is not large (weighs only 4 kg), you can take it to the dacha even using public transport, and take it home during the cold season. The manufacturer provides a 1 year warranty from the date of purchase. Depending on the current used for cooking, the turn-on time of the device is determined.

For example, welding with a maximum current of 160A will show a low indicator, since it will lead to the fact that the device can operate continuously at 14% of the entire welding cycle. That is, for 10 minutes of cooking, the welding work will be about one and a half minutes.

It is worth considering that with a current of 85 Amps, the device will show the inverter operating time of 6 out of 10 minutes (which is a standard indicator for this type of device).

After all, at the dacha or if you are not a professional, then most likely you will not use a welding machine at maximum current. Plus, there is also a diagram of the GYS MI 161 welding machine on the Internet; in case of a breakdown, you can repair it yourself.

What is welding equipment?

Welding equipment is a set of special devices that can be used to connect metal parts or cut metal of various thicknesses.

Welding equipment can also be called devices designed for welding metal. This equipment is the following:

• Transformer devices;
• Semi-automatic;
• Rectifiers;
• Convectors
• Inverter welding equipment and others.

But do not forget that welding equipment includes not only devices, but also additional parts, without which the process of welding and cutting is impossible. For example, gas cylinders, overalls, electrodes, wire, sensors, hoses, etc.

A lot depends on these seemingly simple details - especially the strength of the seam and the possibility of serious damage.

As for the wire and electrodes, it depends on the welding machine. If it is intended for wire, then welding with electrodes will not work. And, of course, the material on which you will work.

It’s worth talking about the types of welding machines in more detail, because... This is the main criterion when choosing equipment.

Texts from old Gysmi pages

Advantages of the welding inverter GYSMI - 125:
• small mass
• stabilized welding current, independent of input voltage fluctuations
• low spatter when welding (low current pulsation)
• smooth adjustment of welding current
• hot start (current pulse at the start of welding, Hot-Start function)
• ability to prevent electrode sticking (Arc-Force function)
• short circuit protection (Anti-Sticking function)
• low power consumption, the ability to operate from a household electrical network and autonomous power sources (gasoline and diesel electric generators)

Thanks to all this, the use of welding inverters greatly simplifies the welding process, especially for non-professionals.

• Supply voltage ~230V/50Hz
• Not susceptible to voltage surges 160-250 V
• The diameter of the electrode used is 1.6-2.5 mm
• Circuit breaker 10A
• Welding current 10-80A (100A in Arc-Force mode)
• Duration of operation at current 75A - 35%, 65A - 60%, 50A - 100%
• Welding current control limits 10-160 A (maximum current 180A)
• Weldable thicknesses 1.5-5.0 mm
• Dimensions 105x240x150 mm
• Weight 2.8 kg
• Delivery set: Welding inverter Gysmi 125 , cable with a cross-section of 10 mm² and a length of 1.6 m, electrode holder, grounding terminal, 2 connectors, shoulder strap, power cable, power plug, warranty card, instruction manual

GYS France

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• Not susceptible to voltage fluctuations in the network and arc length
• Constant welding power
• Easy arc initiation thanks to high open circuit voltage
• Direct current ensures the versatility of the device
• Good penetration and excellent arc stability
• Protection system against voltage fluctuations (+/- 15%)
• Built-in fan prevents the device from overheating
• Possibility of use in TIG mode, with arc ignition by “strike” The device has the following functions: ARC FORCE: increasing the current for complex welding
• NOTE START: increase in power at the moment of arc ignition
• ANTI STICKING: electrode anti-sticking function

The Gysmi 131 welding inverter is sold complete with accessories: cable, electrode holder, mass clamp, and all this in a convenient plastic case.

• Supply voltage 230V (not compatible with differences in the network 195-265V)
• Smooth adjustment of welding current 10-130 A (max 150A)
• Maximum power consumption 3.8 kW
• Electrode diameter 1.6-3.2mm
• Open circuit voltage 80V
• Rated load mode 130A-25%; 90A-60%; 80A-100%
• The thickness of the welded metal is 1.5-8 mm (including STAINLESS STEEL, CAST IRON)
• Productivity 28 pcs/hour (electrode 3mm)
• Welding cables 2 pcs. 2m long and 16mm² cross-section
• Weight 2.9kg
• Delivery set: Welding inverter Gysmi 131, cable with a cross-section of 16 mm² and a length of 2 m, electrode holder, grounding terminal, 2 connectors, shoulder strap, power cable, power plug, plastic CASE, warranty card, instruction manual

GYS France

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• Welding inverter GYSMI 145 is an inverter-type device with microprocessor control. Equipped with tactile keys and a digital display (more precise parameter settings)
• MMA (DC manual arc welding with stick electrodes of all known types): the arc dynamics of this machine are unique on the market. Welding with basic electrodes is no longer a problem. In addition to Arc Force and Anti-Sticking features, the GYSMI-145 is the only single-phase welding machine on the market equipped with an adjustable Hot Start function for all types of electrodes.
• TIG-LIFT-ARC (argon arc welding with contact ignition of the arc): Thanks to the presence of a microcontroller, ignition in TIG mode (argon arc welding) becomes very simple and convenient
• The device is capable of operating from electric generators and is protected from fluctuations and surges in mains voltage (±15%)
• The welding inverter GYSMI-145 corresponds to the protection index IP21, and is adapted for work on an external construction site
• Due to the very high duty cycle at high intensity, it is recommended that this unit be connected to a 16 A relay-type receptacle, or via a higher wattage receptacle adapter.

The GYSMI 145 welding inverter is supplied complete with a ground cable and an electrode holder.

• Supply voltage ~230V ± 15% / 50Hz
• Welding current control limits 10-140 A
• Open circuit voltage 74V (MMA), 80V (TIG LIFT ARC)
• Network breaker 16A
• Duty cycle 87% (at welding current 115A)
• The diameter of the electrode used is 1.6-3.2 mm
• CONTROL Smooth current adjustment 10-140 A
• FUNCTIONS: Reducing current when the electrode sticks (Anti-sticking); Easy arc ignition (Hot-Start); Arc stabilization system (Arc-Force)
• Protection class IP21
• Built-in thermal protection against overheating
• Protection against short-term surges in the network (varistor)
• LCD display
• Dimensions 410×160x330 mm
• Weight 4.3 kg
• Delivery set: Welding inverter Gysmi 145, electrode holder with cable (section 16mm², length 2m), grounding clamp with cable (section 16mm², length 2m), network cable, plastic CASE, warranty card, operating instructions.

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• Welding inverter GYSMI 165 is an inverter-type device with microprocessor control. Equipped with tactile keys and a digital display (more precise parameter settings)
• MMA (DC manual arc welding with stick electrodes of all known types): the arc dynamics of this machine are unique on the market. Welding with basic electrodes is no longer a problem. In addition to Arc Force and Anti-Sticking functions, this product is the only single-phase welding machine on the market equipped with an adjustable Hot Start function for all types of electrodes.
• TIG-LIFT-ARC (argon arc welding with contact arc ignition): Thanks to the presence of a microcontroller, ignition in TIG mode (torch) becomes very simple and convenient
• The device is capable of operating from electric generators and is protected from fluctuations and surges in mains voltage (±15%)
• The welding inverter GYSMI 165 corresponds to the protection index IP23, and is adapted for work on an external construction site
• Due to the very high duty cycle at high intensity, it is recommended that this unit be connected to a 16 A relay-type receptacle, or via a higher wattage receptacle adapter.

The GYSMI 165 welding inverter is supplied complete with a ground cable and an electrode holder.

• Supply voltage ~230V/50Hz
• Not susceptible to voltage surges 170-260 V
• The diameter of the electrode used is 1.6-4.0 mm
• Network breaker 16A
• Duration of operation at current 160A - 60% and 130A - 100% (TIG); 160A - 45% and 140A - 60% (MMA)
• Welding current control limits 10-160 A (maximum current 180 A in Arc-Force mode)
• Weldable thicknesses 1.5-10.0 mm
• LCD display
• Dimensions 125x280x200 mm
• Weight 4.6 kg
• Delivery set: Welding inverter Gysmi 165, cable with a cross-section of 16 mm² and a length of 2 m, electrode holder, grounding terminal, 2 connectors, shoulder strap, power cable, power plug, plastic CASE, warranty card, instruction manual