Welding using batteries

[BigDTig]

This is purely idle curiousity, but might large batteries, in particular car batteries, make a nice power source, especially for stick?

Or would the effectively dead short operation cause one to blow up?

[imported_frank865]

Batteries would work. Some of the first welders used batteries (some of the pictures showed LARGE batteries!)
One of my friends has a "Reddy-Mig" that uses flux-core wire & runs on 1 or 2 automotive batteries. He uses it on his off-road escapades.

[90blackcrx]

Funny that you asked, someone just brought this up in another forum

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=200305299&R=200305299

And if you search around the web, you will find some guy that actually used an alternator. He set it up inside his garage.

[MAC702]

Batteries are a constant voltage power source, but they can work. Would probably work better hooked up to a spoolgun, though. I've seen wirefeeders hooked up to 24V battery chargers as the CV power source.

[timw]

Back in the 60's my dad hooked up 3 12volt batteries, a piece of steel fence wire (to ajust heat, moved connection closer/farther away from batteries), stinger and ground. It worked, not much duty cycle though.
If you try it make sure ALL connections are very tight, you might only get one chance!

[tigman250]

a bit off topic but somewhat related, we just had a demo of this (http://www.brocoinc.com/primecut.html) in our shop the other day, it's similar to a gouger but it uses a bottle of Oxy. and a 12v battery for power, not only that but it dosen't leave any carbon deposits behind. they advertise it for piercing deep holes in large pins to aid in their removal. very cool piece of equiptment and very reasonable too! arround $500 i believe.

[clintonwelding1]

i have the tactical version of that. it works great the rods cost big$$$ though

[Don-in-Japan]

I used two deep cycle (blue top) optima batteries to power a worn out craftsman welder I was going to throw away. It worked great, and I made plenty of trailer hitches to pay off the batteries with. Two 12v deep cycle batteries (or strong marine-type batteries) are needed as you will be draining them pretty quick. After seeing the READY WELDER 2's that came out, I gave batteries a shot. There is a learning curve, and as Mac said earlier it would work with a spool gun best. (I butchered my MIG until it was just a wire feed motor, rollers, and a cable). I've stick welded with 3 40B24L/R type batteries in series, and found them good in a pinch, but they die quickly. They heat the entire welding rod red hot, so you must weld in short 1-2 inch "stitches", then let it cool. I'm sure others in the forum could rig up some slick setups.....

[tigman250]

i have the tactical version of that. it works great the rods cost big$$$ though

the rep told us they were $6 for a 2' rod, they do burn quite fast though. but if you have a job that would take all day and can trim it to a few hours with this unit the rods look pretty cheap :D

[Stick rod]

I`ve got the Arcair version of this called the "Slice" works great.The rods are pricey,but it will cut down on time spent to get the job done.

[clintonwelding1]

yeah ive used arcair at the fire house. But online are the 3' rods are like $68 for i think 20 something rods. Also http://www.brocoinc.com/primecut.html thats what you huys pointed out http://www.brocoinc.com/military.html thats what i own.

[helocat]

Here is a good cheep alternator welder article:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/on-boardwelder/index.html

I chose to use a Reddy Welder II for my trail work. I also use it in the shop for light gage welding set up with gas. Two blue top optima’s and a few 6v building UPS bats, (size of a car bat. but 6v) give me the power range I need.


Mark