Re: spot welder capacitors

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: spot welder capacitors
From: Rick Holland <rickh-at-ghg-dot-net>
Date: Wed, 08 Jan 1997 16:38:29 -0600
Reply-To: rickh-at-ghgcorp-dot-com
Subscriber: rickh-at-ghg-dot-net Wed Jan 8 22:49:17 1997

Tesla List wrote:
<SNIP>
> it's well made with 32 caps in par. in an 8 x 4 configuration with
> heavy copper straps making all connections. There is no manufacturers
> label, but each is labeled 245mfd  400vdc. The units are aluminum can
> type, in good shape, with a small rubber nipple in the top of each for
> preasure relief in the event of failure I believe.
> 
> Since this was an industrial unit I feel like these things would
> probably stand up to some abuse....  my question is should I hold on to
> this for future use? The voltage rating seems low, but I dont know how
> flexible that rating is. Any thoughts would be appreciated


The first thought that comes to me is that you could build
a dandy multiplier circuit that would operate straight off
the AC outlet of your workshop. Such a multiplier would have
a terrific current capacity, with the proper diodes, and
could possibly be used to operate a DC Tesla Coil. The obvious
drawback is the lack of isolation, but this can be overcome
with an isolation transformer. Of course such a set-up has
numerous other safety considerations which would not apply
to the garden variety TC (ie each cap would have to be
discharged individually before working on the circuit).
Of course, this is just off the top of my head, but you might
give it some thought. BTW, High voltage diodes can be got from
laser suppliers like Meredith Instruments or MTW, INC.
-- 

  Rick Holland

  The Answer is 42