[RE-wrenches] Fwd: Re: DC arc welder?

[David Katz]

You can buy a 24 volt DC MIG welder from ReadyWelder.
David Katz

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 23, 2013, at 10:37 AM, "Allan Sindelar" <allan at positiveenergysolar.com<mailto:allan at positiveenergysolar.com>> wrote:

Forwarding from Windy.

-------- Original Message --------

Sure you can solar weld! Afterall, some of us have welded from battery power when we preferred NOT to.

   :0)     <<  that's the HONK of a Solar Bozo (Emeritus)

But seriously, Back in the 1930's to 50's when thousands of farms and ranches had wind power, 32V was the standard voltage for the 2-3kW systems. Among the many tools and appliances available, it was common to have a 32V welder. I used one of them back in the 70's. I was nothing but a box with a coil in it. The coil wasn't for inductance, just for resistance. It was steel wire maybe 1/8" thick with taps to give a choice of current. For max. current, the coil would be completely out of circuit.

The guys I shared the shop with abandoned their buzz box 'cuz the DC was so smooth.

Towers are still standing on welds I did in the late 70's using 6011 and 7013 rod (if I remember right).

I had a cell failure early on, and my system was 30, not 32V. Worked fine for years.

I'm quite sure 24V would work, at least for smallest rods. It certainly works for MIG welding. Century made a 24V "Portable MIG" to use on 24V diesel vehicles and farm machines for field repairs. They were made in 70's and 80's. Nice, 'cuz they are light-weight / no transformer. I used one on my PV system until I moved recently. I had 3-4V of line loss and it still worked fine with .030 wire. Again, it has steel coils with taps for control.

If you want MIG, search for a Century Portable MIG. Otherwise, get the smallest sticks and try 24V. I think I tried it, or heard that it's not quite enough V. 36V is MORE than you need. If you do 36, use undersized cable because you'll need resistance anyway!

Searching … 24V MIG is in remote storage with hen's teeth and unobtainium.
but discussion at
http://forum.ih8mud.com/tools-fabrication/416445-snap-24v-portable-mig.html
confirmed that you can do stick with 24V.
AND somebody suggested this:
http://store.cyberweld.com/twsgspgun10.html

The spool gun looks like the modern way to solve the problem for professional use. Reviews there say it doesn't have speed control on the gun. So you need a resistance coil with taps, and you need a speed control.

I hope this helps!
Windy

Windy Dankoff     Solar Bozo Emeritus

         Specialist in solar-electric applications & solar water pumping
                  Education   <>   Industry support    <>    Since 1975
                                       ---------------------------------
                  Founder, retired, Dankoff Solar Products, Inc.
      spin-offs:  Dankoff Solar Pumps  •  Positive Energy  •  Conergy USA
     Co-author, work in progress: The Handbook of Solar Water Pumping

12-minute TV interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt3hKgriSbo&list=TLrXFKMLwzCwuUD5h52WCzKdWRR-Juk3XA
                                       ---------------------------------
   windydankoff at mac.com<mailto:windydankoff at mac.com>
   Santa Fe, NM
   home (505) 466-4280
       cell (505) 490-0313



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