I've started a project that needs a fair bit of welding, and although my welding isn't too bad I thought I would try a few of the improvements I've seen on here.
Replacing the power supply for wire feed seems popular, so I did this but also added a PWM as they're only £5 from ebay.
View attachment 81760
I also used an old 19.5v laptop power supply and a £1 24v relay.
I de-soldered the original pot and bridged it with a short length of wire. The welder will now run at full speed all the time, but this doesn't matter as the old positive power lead for the motor is being used to operate the relay.
The power supply is wired into the main switch, and connected to the PWM. Neg output from the pwm goes straight to the motor, and the positive is switched by the relay.
The PWM I chose has a POT on a lead, so lets me use the original hole for the control knob.
I think because the motor is being controlled by a PWM, less voltage is needed to make it run fast. I read about others that have just replaced the power supply needing more than 20v.
I have the pot turned down quite low for a nice bead on 2mm sheet.
Replacing the power supply for wire feed seems popular, so I did this but also added a PWM as they're only £5 from ebay.
View attachment 81760
I also used an old 19.5v laptop power supply and a £1 24v relay.
I de-soldered the original pot and bridged it with a short length of wire. The welder will now run at full speed all the time, but this doesn't matter as the old positive power lead for the motor is being used to operate the relay.
The power supply is wired into the main switch, and connected to the PWM. Neg output from the pwm goes straight to the motor, and the positive is switched by the relay.
The PWM I chose has a POT on a lead, so lets me use the original hole for the control knob.
I think because the motor is being controlled by a PWM, less voltage is needed to make it run fast. I read about others that have just replaced the power supply needing more than 20v.
I have the pot turned down quite low for a nice bead on 2mm sheet.