Re: (ET) welding

["Christopher Zach" <czach computer org>]

Well, depends on where you tap into the E20's power supply.

The fuse on the small outlet is set to 40amps IIRC. I think the big outlet
is protected by a 100+ amp main fuse.

If you tie directly into the battery core, the sky is the limit. I wonder 
if
they used a resistor to limit the arc current.

Chris

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Murcek" <RMURCEK geisinger edu>
To: <elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu>
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2002 10:08 PM
Subject: Re: (ET) welding


If y'all think that there's at least 100 amps involve I'd think that it
would work perfectly.  If there's much less than 100 amps involved, the
stabilizing effect would just be reduced proportionally.  If this is the
case you could do things like put two in series (too expensive) or, if it's
open-frame construction, just add more turns to it.

>>> Tom G <wavetech superlink com> 5/13/2002 9:28:31 PM >>>
Surplus Center has listed in there catalog: "Welding Generator Reactor for
100 to 300 amp generator ... Acts as arc stabilizer ... for units up to 300
amp." I wonder if this would work out. it is listed for $32.50 but my
catalog may be old there number is 800-488-3407 tom >>>> Reactor and choke
are other names for "inductor". An inductor has wire wrapped in a coil so
that a magnetic field forms when current flows. I didn't know they used
these in DC welders, but it makes sense since the energy stored in the
magnetic field would be released when the arc started to go out, the
collapsing magnetic field would increase the voltage, and the arc would be
helped along. So it sounds like an inductor is used for stabilization like
someone said. It would also help striking. For a situation like this I'd
think it would be heavy copper wire wound around an iron core. The easiest
thing to do might be to hit a DC welder in a junk yard! >>> Neil Dennis <
5/12/2002 9:45:54 PM >>> First question, did you use DC rod and have the
correct polarity ? Second, about the reactor, we need the expertise of an
electrical engineer ( of which I' m not). Basically, the draeings I 
remember
used a coil of heavy iron wire (like a big resistor) to stabilize the
initial surge of current. Don't know beyond that. wombat <<<<<<<<