make your own on-board welder from NAPA parts; link

[Tumbleweed]

Here is a link to making your own on-board welder using NAPA parts.
Also is a 110V generator.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/on-boardwelder/index.html

[msbweiland]

That can't be good on an alternator. :shock: I wonder if the "lifetime" warrenty would cover that? :twisted:

[budtoh3zo]

would be handy

[termin8ed]

©1999 Pirate4x4.Com
Unauthorized duplication will result
in Scott driving over your hood!



Are you going to be in trouble now :D well, maybe not. You just posted the link. not the article...

Looks like it would be pretty handy to have something like that. Has anyone tried this around here? I guess my 45amp generator isn't going to be enough to weld with :roll:

[budtoh3zo]

i balive that is dont copy the wrighting. but you can make the welder

[budtoh3zo]

be good around the farm need to build one.

[CJ Joe]

I'd be interested to hear from anyone knowledgeable on the subject. That is on the option 2, GM type alternator.

I recently installed a new 165 amp alternator. I understand there is enough wattage potential, I dont' know if it is an acceptable waveform.

Then there's duty cycle. Would it melt my new $200 alternator? Should the stinger cable be attached directly to the alternator or to the battery to act as a buffer of sorts. And, what about the HEI conversion. I understand the HEI modules are susceptible to spikes as caused in sparking.

If I'm only a few cables and connector away from an on-board welder I'd sure like to give it a try.

[lee66cj5]

http://www.huv.com/jon/jeep/Welder/portable-welder.html
http://www.huv.com/jon/jeep/Welder/on-board-welder.html
http://ww2.green-trust.org:8383/equipment.htm

Here are some other alternatives for homemade welders. You can substitute your jeep engine for the lawnmower engine noted in some.

Lee

[xlr8n]

I'd be interested to hear from anyone knowledgeable on the subject. That is on the option 2, GM type alternator.



I realize this is an old post but I did not see that anyone posted actual results so here goes.

This past weekend I put together option# 2 in the original posting using a 75amp Ford externally regulated alternator. After building a bracket that bolts on top of the York OBA compressor to mount the alternator, I used a set of 4 gauge 20' jumper cables and attached a ground clamp and stinger. Although I haven't done any useful welding with it yet, it easily runs a bead of 6011 on 3/16 angle at 2500 RPM.

Altogether I have about $100 in the whole setup.

[MOP]

Nice...... I wish Sparky would do that on his JEEP so I can use his when I break down. ;)

[BlueFlu]

Very interesting.

[Ghetto Fab.]

This sucks, I had a buddy that was an EE major at poly that was going to design a sweet little onboard welder setup for his senior project. I kept telling him that if it worked well I'd be more than happy to pay for his time to build another no matter the cost. Unfortuneatly he passed away this past christmas.

I think I've read that pirate article in the past. Doesn't the guy use a second alternator for the welding thereby isolating his charging system? Its a good idea, but a bit difficult to implement. The onboard welders I have seen all seem to have an automatic system to isolate the two circuits so that no voltage spikes get to the computers. Would love to have one though!

Kevo

[xlr8n]

Option# 2 in the Pirate article does indeed depict the second alternator in isolation, which is how I did it. I am using a fused and switched field wire to the battery to activate the isolated alt. I thought maybe later (or not) I might add the 110 circuitry for electric appliances but figure I can simply use my die grinder via OBA for now regarding welding prep.

I'll have to experiment with the voltage/RPM as @ 2500 I am pushing about 90 volts which seems slightly hot for the 3/16 material.

[zed]

That can't be good on an alternator. :shock: I wonder if the "lifetime" warrenty would cover that? :twisted:

NAPA advertises "satisfaction guaranteed". the manager here says they should take it back as long as you haven't done any of the things like taking it apart, or what ever it says on the counter mat at the store.