Re: arc welders in parallel

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: arc welders in parallel
From: Scott Stephens <Scott2-at-mediaone-dot-net> (by way of Terry Fritz <terryf-at-verinet-dot-com>)
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1998 22:05:19 -0600
Approved: terryf-at-verinet-dot-com

At 06:08 PM 10/14/98 -0600, you wrote:

>Subject: arc welders in parallel

>Original Poster: Cabbott Sanders <cabbott-at-cyberis-dot-net> 
>
>hi all,
>
>i have an arc welder that when shorted pulls about 40 amps.  i need 80 amps
>for my
>setup, so i am planning on just buying another arc welder and rigging it in
>parrellel with the one i have, in hopes that i can have twice the current.
>Am i
>okay in assuming two inductive limiters in parrellel will do this?

>From what I've heard about flourescent lamp ballasts, it's risky, because
the manufacturer is usualy cheap, using the minimum iron and counting on a
little copper resistance. So if you stress them, (resonant charging would)
the core can thermaly-avalanch with heat & magnetic saturation, as with
thermal runaway with paralleling bipolar transistors. They may not share
current well.

BTW, sorry to hear about your finger. I've found, whatever I do, if it's
mechanical - I must loose some blood with a cut or scrape. Electronic -
solder splatter burn, lost & damaged parts. Software & computer -
frustration, torment and sanity loss debugging (suicide should count as an
occupational hazard in such cases). It seems doing anything of value
requires a sacrafice of blood, sweat & tears. Just keep your blood valuable!

The sacrafice gives the acheivement value. Their is an engineering saying,
"The Bridge demands a life". Someone will (probably) die building the
bridge, or the high-rise. I always feel lucky, and think the task is easy,
but often a little voice whispers "you've pushed your luck so many times
with energetic technology already, how many more breaks will you get? Take
time to be carefull"

Saftey goggles are awfull. If I don't ware perscription old safety glasses
(with side shields), I would ware photo-greys sunglasses. Glass may shatter
on impact, but solder splatter & drill debree are most often problems.

Good luck in the future!

Scott