Re: HF Arc starter / stablilizer

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

Original poster: "gtyler" <gtyler-at-drummond-dot-org.za> 

I have done it. It was much like a Tesla coil but only one winding of
about 10 turns, 50mm dia. wound of 12mm dia copper. Tap at 2 turns fed
by a capacitor. Ran off about 2Kv ac. It was basically a copy of a
commercail circuit.

George


----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 4:24 PM
Subject: Re: HF Arc starter / stablilizer


 > 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
 >  >
 >  >
 >  >
 >
 >
 >