Re: HF Arc starter / stablilizer

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: John Keith <jskeith-at-interaccess-dot-com> 

Hi Ben,

    Unfortunately, 5V is a bit too low for a welder. A TIG welder's arc
voltage is typically around 15-20V, but you need an open-circuit voltage of
50-80V to successfully start the arc. Hydrogen18 has a page

http://www.hydrogen18-dot-com/projectlogs/homemade_arcwelder/12_12_03.asp

with lots of info on home-made arc welders.

    As to your original question, the arc-starting circuit is very similar to
a spark-gap Tesla coil, but with a ferrite-core xformer in place of the
Tesla primary/secondary. The service manuals for Lincoln or Miller welders
will have diagrams which should help you.

Good luck,
John
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 5:45 PM
Subject: HF Arc starter / stablilizer


 > Original poster: Ben McMillen <spoonman534-at-yahoo-dot-com>
 >
 > Hello all,
 >     I recently came across a power supply rated for 5V -at- 110A (out of an
 > '88 mainframe) and it looked like a good candidate for a welder supply. I
 > was interested in making a TIG welder and after doing some research I
found
 > that the arc starter / stablilizer is pretty much a tesla tank curcuit
that
 > couples HF AC to the welding line to strike an arc. Has anyone tried to
 > build one of these or have any thoughts?
 >
 > Thanks for any help!!
 >
 > Coiling In Pittsburgh
 > Ben McMillen
 >
 >
 >