using a 12v transformer to boost or drop mains

[normspanners]

Have posted this elsewhere on here but thought it might be of some use to other people who maybe struggling with their mains voltage either too high or low The transformer I use is approx 4" square and was from a medium sized battery charger I don't know the va rating though the secondary is approx 2.85 x 3.3 mm section copper so easilly copes with the current to the welder.

 

[piman]

Hello Norm,

I don't think that a battery charger transformer will carry the welder current without burning out, particularly when dropping the voltage as the primary is carrying full welder current.

If your mains voltage is out of specification, the area board should correct that, I forget what the tolerance should be though?

Alec

 

[rich r]

UK mains voltage is defined as 230V +10%/-6%, which means it should be between 216V and 253V.

 

[normspanners]

I don't think that a battery charger transformer will carry the welder current without burning out, particularly when dropping the voltage as the primary is carrying full welder current.

well it does quite easily, without hardly getting warm, I use it to boost my welder at the end of my long extension lead so when welding the voltage doesn't drop too much, still giving me 230/235v ish whereas without it it drops to 205/210v ish even on a 2.5 extension, the welder does not give a nice consistant weld. Plug in the booster and it is back to as if it is plugged straight into the socket.