Hello, I'm new to the group but have been wanting to build a
weldernator/amptramp for a while. Finally got going and have had a
small stumble, if you can call it that.
I have a 1992 Chevy Sub 100amp alternator that I modified. I run the 3
outputs out to a FR 1270 rectifier that I purchased at the local
alternator repair shop. I then ordered a 5 hp surplus motor to run
it. While I've been waiting for it I stumbled onto a cheap used 2 hp
motor from a junk store locally. Well I hooked it all up today and as
soon as I struck the arc the 2 horse motor bogged and could not turn.
SO, I think I will have to wait until the 5 horse motor gets here to
use. I don't know what is wrong with the 2 horse motor, it does not
appear to be spinning at 3450 like it says, I have a 1 horse 3450 that
moves MUCH faster than the 2 horse. But either way its no big deal,
the 5 horse should be here this week and I'll be making sparks soon.
So, round 1 to weldernator, but the war is far from over!
Anybody have any thoughts why the 2 horse motor won't cut the mustard?
Hello, I'm new to the group but have been wanting to build a weldernator/amptramp for a while. Finally got going and have had a small stumble, if you can call...
Howdy Matt, A 2HP engine is too small for this kind of mechanical load. If we take a look at the maths here, you'll get a better idea of the sort of HP the...
Well, when it rains it pours. I had a little while to work on it tonight and to try out the new 5 horse motor. Got everything wired and switched on. I...
Hi Matt, It looks like you are near to getting your new welder up and running :) . Pictures please :) . Your 5HP engine should be able to manage, but will...
SUCCESS!! I pulled the alt apart and found that the damage was actually to the stator lead, it had broken. So, yesterday at lunch I went back to the...
Well still no luck. It will weld a little with the 3/32 rod, but not really. I checked the output without the cap and it ws 98 volts AC and 48 volts DC, does...
Let me add one more question, does the rotation of the alternator matter? I didn't think it did but I've been looking and am pretty sure mine is spinning...
Hi Matt, You seem to be close to success here. When welding, you'll hear a high pitch whine coming from the arc. This is the natural frequency of the...
Well, I figured out a lot of things last night and today. Yes, definately get the high pitch high frequency whistle. I figured out why it wouldn't work right....
Hi Matt, That's great news :) . Pretty soon, you'll be welding with a superb degree of freedom. You've pretty much beaten the worst of the technical problems,...
... When welding, you'll hear a high pitch whine coming from the arc, well actually it is coming from the kitchen, and if you listen carefully, you will here...
Har har dee har ;) . Ohh, Keefy Weefy :) ...... Seems to me that the foot control is best applied to the throat of the one who is whining in the kitchen. ...
How did you wire the capacitor? One wire of the capacitor to the postive welding lead and the other wire to the welder frame "or" one wire of the capacitor to...
Hi Paul, My capacitor is wired from the metal frame that carries all of the alternators to the point where all the alternator's outputs are connected to a...
... Mine has two 23,000uf caps on the alternator output. Wanted to put some more but don't have room. If all you have is the capacitor, the 470-2200 is...
I am hoping to use a 5HP gas engine, to spin a 120 A alternator about 5000 rpm to charge 3 car batteries in parallel and draw the welding current from the...
... Would go across the batts or the alternator output. The reactor would go in series with one of the leads. The box gives a path for the magnetic field to...
Hi guys-  I think I would try 3 batteries in series and make the alternator a 3 phase DC ( is that an oxymoron or what?)  or if I were sharp enough, make...
... As a battery charger it is not needed. it will be needed in the weld leads. ... Don't you mean one welding cable not both? -- ... today's fortune If you...
thanks...working on another one right now. I will be putting a reactor on this one. I used one from an old Forney portable welder and it made a world of...
Howdy Paul, I like the idea of the reactor. The Amptramp does not have one, but I am starting to think that I should try one out. When I first got the Amptramp...
... My Miller MIG had no reactor (was designed for spray-transfer MIG in a production environment.) It needed one for short-arc (later models had one.) I...
Yes, it made a big difference in starting and holding an arc. It probably weighed 30-40 pounds or more. I have a bare laminated core from a big transformer...
... 10HP should do well. I have built two welders. One used an 18HP B&S engine, the second used a 12HP. The 18HP worked great and the motor barely slowed down....
Howdy Scott, It's great to have another welder builder here :) . Building around that nice little 12HP engine must have produced a light and portable machine....
... Yes, but I probably will not take it that far ;) I'd say it weighs about 200 lbs (<100 kilo). I have two huge mains-powered welders. An Airco Heliwelder...
... about ... Amps ... to ... wanted ... cost ... real ... Ahhh, like you, I started out with a mains powered welder. Much smaller than your machines, this one...
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