Project arc mma welder build

[the repair man]

Figure most will have read about these, but they remain a good simply project. Mine is up and running, and I estimate its aroud 150 amp at the mo, It is without a case, and glitter. But it works and its strong
I have still to fit a cooling fan, and am contemplating a third transformer, in case I ever have to work on the ark royal.!
So far only hitches with build, was matching phases on 2 transformers.
There were 2500v at 0.8amp. After re-winding the secondries, its around 50v 140-150 amp. doesnt arc up great, but when it starts, is wicked.

 

[the snooper]

could be the output voltage / rods making it hard to strike the arc

 

[the repair man]

Yes, I dont have a proper rod clamp yet, some used some vde pliers. Might put A big cap on outout side to nake a jinda hf start. Will meddle again on weekend, once its arced its very strong, need to cool primaries though, Got a fan ready, but still playingg with basic design. due to no overheat stats etc it will weld til it pops at the mo, so will have to limit it too

 

[the snooper]

if you have the packaging for the rods it will tell what voltage should be used for those rods

 

[shadow]

what size cable have you used for the secondaries? looks a little small for that kind of ampage what size capacitor did you use?

 

[the repair man]

Cap was about a 40uf I think, cant remember will have to check as I changed it the other day, originally had a smaller one. The cable is a 6mm heatproof stranded. The only overheating probs are coming from the primaries.
Everything probably looks smaller, as these are huge transformers and a huge cap. The trannys were around 2.5kv @ 0.8 amp as I recall..They are big around 8-10 inch accross. Read my earlier posts, I must have had some pop looking at my spelling!