lewstherin
New Member
There is a special tool I need which is basically an arc welder but on a much smaller scale. It uses DC current and you basically short the positive/negative to create an arc and transfer material from the positive(anode) to the negative(cathode) in the plasma that forms. The anode is vibrating to constantly short, then pull away from the material breaking the connection then short again..several times a second.
My problem is traditional welders are too strong, and the inexpensive machine sold for doing this task is slightly too weak. The more expensive version is out of my price range (and overpriced imo).
So...I thought I would try making one. In fact I did make one by simply using a 12v 13amp car battery charger. It works ok but it is too strong for very thin sections of metal...it tends to overheat them. Also it only has about a 50% duty cycle.
I *think* my problem is that the arc welders and battery charger are too high in amps and too low in volts. I would like to make one(or modify the battery charger) that is adjustable voltage and a 100% duty cycle would be great. The problem is I am a complete novice with electronics.
Btw we use 220v here.
So here is my question:
What would it take to make a DC power supply that is adjustable voltage (5-50v?) and will not burn out when shorted? Can I simply use a variac with a bridge rectifier or would it burn out/pop a fuse when shorted constantly?
Thank you for any insight you can offer.
My problem is traditional welders are too strong, and the inexpensive machine sold for doing this task is slightly too weak. The more expensive version is out of my price range (and overpriced imo).
So...I thought I would try making one. In fact I did make one by simply using a 12v 13amp car battery charger. It works ok but it is too strong for very thin sections of metal...it tends to overheat them. Also it only has about a 50% duty cycle.
I *think* my problem is that the arc welders and battery charger are too high in amps and too low in volts. I would like to make one(or modify the battery charger) that is adjustable voltage and a 100% duty cycle would be great. The problem is I am a complete novice with electronics.
Btw we use 220v here.
So here is my question:
What would it take to make a DC power supply that is adjustable voltage (5-50v?) and will not burn out when shorted? Can I simply use a variac with a bridge rectifier or would it burn out/pop a fuse when shorted constantly?
Thank you for any insight you can offer.