Thread: Making a welder from an alternator and engine
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Unread 06-10-2005, 00:07
sanddrag sanddrag is offline
On to my 16th year in FRC
FRC #0696 (Circuit Breakers)
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Making a welder from an alternator and engine
I read on this page that you can make a pretty decent TIG welder with an alternator and electric motor. My question is, can I make an Arc/Stick welder with an alternator and a gas engine? Does arc welding put a higher load on the electronics (alternator) because it is more of a direct short? Will it burn out the alternator, or will it be okay? The engine I have is an old 3HP Briggs horizontal shaft lawnmower engine. How much of an alternator (how many amps) could I run off of that? The above linked page recommends a 5HP electric motor for a 130amp alternator, but electric motors and gas engines have different torque characteristics.

If this will work, how much do you think an old alternator will cost and where should I get it (U pick parts maybe)?

Thanks.
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Teacher/Engineer/Machinist - Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2011 - Present
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Technical Mentor, Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2005-2007
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