[TheForge] help! welder advice

[James Binnion]

>At 15:08 01/31/05, you wrote:
>
>Battery Welding: here are some brief instructions on welding with 
>batteries. First of all, you need at least two car batteries, but 
>three is better. The reason for this is that you need about 36 volts 
>to get a decent arc from the weld rod. You must wire the batteries 
>in a series fashion. You can use a few sets of jumper cables to do 
>so. The batteries must be as far away from the welding as possible! 
>Also cover them with a blanket or tarp incase of an explosion.
>
>Three batteries: From the first battery, attach a cable from 
>positive to negative of the second battery. Then from the second 
>battery, connect a cable from the positive to the negative of the 
>third battery. Now, your welding rod cable will go from your 
>positive side on your third battery, and the ground cable will come 
>off the negative side of the first battery. Your ready to weld now! 
>Be real careful!!!!!!
>
>This will produce 36 volts and about 250 amps.


But only for a short time. Car batteries are not meant to be used for 
more than a brief period of time like when you start your car. They 
will overheat rapidly when used to provide lots of current 
continuously. If you want to make a battery welder that will run 
longer you need deep cycle batteries. They don't put out as much peak 
current but will last much longer in this kind of service. Also you 
need to make sure your electrolyte levels are good regularly as you 
will be loosing a fair amount of water due to the high heat levels in 
the battery.

-- 
Jim Binnion

James Binnion Metal Arts
Phone (360) 756-6550
Toll Free (877) 408 7287
Fax (360) 756-2160
http://www.mokume-gane.com
jbin at mokume-gane.com
Member of the Better Business Bureau