[RE-wrenches] DC arc welder?

[Tom DeBates]

Hello Conrad,
   Thank you for your prompt reply.
   I should have specified the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjH8I1oKNMY
   As you can see, he is able to weld in this fashion, but it looks like he is having difficulty maintaining an arc. Also, he is using the negative electrode for the rod. I think that this is referred to as "reverse polarity" and welders will use/change this to best strike and maintain an arc? 
  I guess that welding directly from a module or modules would basically resolve the current problem, but we need to be able to weld "on demand", thus a battery bank.......


 
Tom DeBates
Habi-Tek
Geneva,IL. 60134



________________________________
 From: conrad geyser <conradg at cape.com>
To: 'Tom DeBates' <habitek83 at yahoo.com>; 'RE-wrenches' <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> 
Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2013 10:10 AM
Subject: RE: [RE-wrenches] DC arc welder?
 


Hi Tom,
 
Yes it works great.  PV is the perfect set up for welding - it doesn't matter if you short it out.  The modules in the youtube are in parallel, not series, and that is how I've done it.  We have a power trailer set up for temporary power that works perfectly - it's 9: 195W Suntechs:  http://imageevent.com/cotuitsolar/1303publicalbum?p=40&n=1&m=-1&c=3&l=0&w=4&s=0&z=3  It's about right for 3/32" stick welding under optimum conditions if you're a decent enough welder.
 
Conrad
Cotuit Solar
 
From:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Tom DeBates
Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2013 8:50 AM
To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: [RE-wrenches] DC arc welder?
 
Hello Wrenches,
   Recently, while working overseas, we were asked by a welder we employed if we could make a "solar welder" for him. So, not wanting to dismiss his request, my initial thought was to eliminate an inverter and welder for cost and efficiency reasons and weld directly from a battery bank. I have done some homework on this and it seems as though it may be feasible. There is a YouTube video of a guy doing this with 3, 12 volt batteries in series. This would be stick welding only and rod of ~ 3/32". There would be some details to work through, but the biggest one seems to be a means to limit current to the electrode. Has anyone attempted this and/or know of a means to limit the current to the rod?
Thank you,
Tom DeBates
Habi-Tek
Geneva,IL. 60134
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