Mobius
New Member
Hello,
I am new to this forum. I am making a TIG welder and am working on the HF arc starter circuit. I am using a neon sign transformer.
Model EH 9030A
Input 120v 1.3a 50/60 hz
Output 6365Vmrs 30ma Indoor type 7 2161MH
This thing produces a beautiful purple spark, but the problem is that I cannot induce it into another circuit using a coupling transformer. My first thought was that the auto ignition wires that I was using to carry the HF signal might be suppressing the magnetic flux preventing or suppressing the operation of a transformer. I have tried regular and HV ignition wires wrapped around air cores and old MOT silicon steel slices stacked together. I have not been able to find a torroidial core to try yet. Most of the commercial welder manufacturers use what looks to be a simple air core coupling transformer.
Once I get the HF signal in the welding circuit, I understand how and why to use caps to short the HF and chokes to block it, but I just cant get it over there….
Any ideas of what I might be doing wrong would be appreciated. I have pulled several schematics off the net and have tried them all with no success. I am using spark plugs facing each other for spark gaps in every configuration I could think of and they light up beautifully (I am not using non resistor plugs). I just cant induce it in another circuit. I have searched and downloaded many diagrams and pics of commercial and DIY coupling transformers but the information is incomplete or Im doing something wrong. Please ask me any questions you want and thanks for any suggestions.
I am new to this forum. I am making a TIG welder and am working on the HF arc starter circuit. I am using a neon sign transformer.
Model EH 9030A
Input 120v 1.3a 50/60 hz
Output 6365Vmrs 30ma Indoor type 7 2161MH
This thing produces a beautiful purple spark, but the problem is that I cannot induce it into another circuit using a coupling transformer. My first thought was that the auto ignition wires that I was using to carry the HF signal might be suppressing the magnetic flux preventing or suppressing the operation of a transformer. I have tried regular and HV ignition wires wrapped around air cores and old MOT silicon steel slices stacked together. I have not been able to find a torroidial core to try yet. Most of the commercial welder manufacturers use what looks to be a simple air core coupling transformer.
Once I get the HF signal in the welding circuit, I understand how and why to use caps to short the HF and chokes to block it, but I just cant get it over there….
Any ideas of what I might be doing wrong would be appreciated. I have pulled several schematics off the net and have tried them all with no success. I am using spark plugs facing each other for spark gaps in every configuration I could think of and they light up beautifully (I am not using non resistor plugs). I just cant induce it in another circuit. I have searched and downloaded many diagrams and pics of commercial and DIY coupling transformers but the information is incomplete or Im doing something wrong. Please ask me any questions you want and thanks for any suggestions.