DIY 1985 Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 Has anyone ever performed SMAW with a couple, or three, car batteries wired in series, or an externally regulated alternator? Also, there is a MIG kit commercially available. I've heard that car batteries can deliver more amperage than the average residential wiring can, As such, residential welders tap into the 220v, not because 110v can't strike a decent electrical arc, but because they provide the amperage. For me, it is more about the lack of a garage, than it is about getting the electrical hookup. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 Well, car batteries can provide hundreds of amps. If welding something small it will just fry it. What I have seen is a car charging a battery and keeping it charged up just enough for what you need. And I've see a tractor used to weld a plough using the generator. Naturally this is almost a dead short to ground and very hard on an alternator so it was used sparingly with lots of time down to cool it off. I have an Altima 100 amp alternator in my 710 so newer cars would be a good source for higher amperage alternators. Quote Link to comment
Dolomite Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 My old man built the frame and rafters for his shop with a battery powered stick welder. Just make sure you’re not sweaty and leaning against the building, I got lit up like a Christmas tree. Quote Link to comment
nl320what Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 I used a Ready Welder for 5 years at home, cost me $350 when it first came out and they only offered 1 model then. Hooked up 2-3 car batteries in series depending on thickness, used 31series Big Rig batteries. Just a spool gun connected to batteries. As long as batteries were kept charged up, it really liked 1/4" and bigger material, anything smaller than that it would burn through unless batteries were nearly dead. They also sell the On-Board power supplies for these used on Off-Road trail Jeepers. Here is the setup: http://premierpowerwelder.com/and the welder: http://readywelder.com/ Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 You won't feel 12 volts. 36 is barely tingly. 1 Quote Link to comment
Icehouse Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 I used a car battery welder. It worked, my Millers are way better. Would be a sweet portable setup though. My TIG welder can pull 150amps out of a 220v service. For full duty cycle it needs 3 phase. Quote Link to comment
nl320what Posted February 23, 2018 Report Share Posted February 23, 2018 With a few cheap mods, you can take apart a cheap HF 90amp welder, yank out the XFMR and hook up the batteries instead. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted February 23, 2018 Report Share Posted February 23, 2018 Yes, maybe not for delicate work but for brute power to weld up an off road vehicle part. Quote Link to comment
Lockleaf Posted February 24, 2018 Report Share Posted February 24, 2018 Guys do this on the trails in Moab for emergency repair. Only even worse, cuz they chain batteries together and then weld with a welding rod and jumper cables 1 Quote Link to comment
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