TIG Welders and Transformers

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CraziestOzzy Power-User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Australia, sunny North Queensland Posts: 380 Good Answers: 12	TIG Welders and Transformers 04/09/2009 1:21 AM
	G'day, new guy settling in and starts off with a question... I am thinking of butchering a TIG welder made by a company in Finland, Kemppi.com It is basically a welder that runs from a single phase source (240VAC) and is capable of spitting out some serious amps as DC. PDF here There is some funky high amperage electronic components (SCR's and a largish IGBT) that control the output to the transformers. The quality of the electronic components is very impressive and safety spared no expense and this baby was designed to last. Well this one croaked it and found its way to the local dump because of a voltage spike that fried the $3 surge protection capacitor. I picked it up for five bucks. Anyone know of any links to the WWW that has info on what people have created from a hacked DC pulse inverter welder? Tried numerous search options in Google and came up with squat. I am thinking of removing some of the transformers (have not decided where exactly to start the wire run from the welder to the capacitor bank yet) and connect the output to a bad ass capacitor bank where I may be able to control the rate of energy discharge from the caps. Any wacky ideas or public floggings are welcome __________________ CraziestOzzy
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	Pathfinder Tags: SIngle Phase Inverter Pulse Tig Welder Hack

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Luther M Commentator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Georgia mountains Posts: 64	#1 Re: SIngle Phase Inverter Pulse Tig Welder Hacked? 04/09/2009 6:44 AM
	Why not repair the damage and use it as a welding inverter? Just a thought. __________________ There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are no old bold pilots.
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CraziestOzzy Power-User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Australia, sunny North Queensland Posts: 380 Good Answers: 12	#2 In reply to #1 Re: SIngle Phase Inverter Pulse Tig Welder Hacked? 04/09/2009 7:43 AM
	Funnily enough, I had just replaced the cactus noise filter components and surge cap on the master power board and the damned thing works (I suspect it already worked)...and then I read your reply Would seem that the smoke that would have been billowing from the unit prompted the owner to just throw it and chop the cable. Really don't have a need for a DC welding inverter and was kind of wondering the potential of hacking the unit as some type of pulsed amperage control for my current project, my Mad Max three phase generator hooked up to a capacitor bank...but that's another story. If nothing reveals itself as far as hacking the unit goes, will shelve it for a rainy day TIG welding job. __________________ CraziestOzzy
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garth Guru Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NSW Australia Posts: 1101 Good Answers: 23	#3 Re: TIG Welders and Transformers 04/09/2009 11:57 PM
	The output is controlled by feedback from the DC output comparing to the manual setting, also there is a short circuit protection on the output which shuts down the unit if activated. these will have to be circumvented if you wish to play with it. if you tap into the AC section you will loose about 1/2 the power capability, also the AC frequency will probably be about 40kHz.I am not sure what you are trying to do with this but would urge caution the IGBTs work on tight synchronisation and can short out if you change the wrong thing in the circuit. If you don't want a welder use it as a big battery charger. Or sell it and put the money to the inverter you are looking for. __________________ Dont get on to the roundabout if you dont know how to get off
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North of 60 Guru Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Iqaluit, NU. Canada Posts: 1854 Good Answers: 140	#4 Re: TIG Welders and Transformers 04/10/2009 12:30 AM
	Play around a bit and you might have a decent UPS. __________________ Joe Contractor to Electrical Inspector, "What do you mean you are going to make me follow the code?".
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