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Forwarding from Windy. -------- Original Message -------- Sure you can solar weld! Afterall, some of us have welded from battery power when we preferred NOT to. :0) << that's the HONK of a Solar Bozo
(Emeritus)
But seriously, Back in the 1930's to 50's when thousands of
farms and ranches had wind power, 32V was the standard voltage
for the 2-3kW systems. Among the many tools and appliances
available, it was common to have a 32V welder. I used one of
them back in the 70's. I was nothing but a box with a coil in
it. The coil wasn't for inductance, just for resistance. It was
steel wire maybe 1/8" thick with taps to give a choice of
current. For max. current, the coil would be completely out of
circuit.
The guys I shared the shop with abandoned their buzz box 'cuz
the DC was so smooth.
Towers are still standing on welds I did in the late 70's
using 6011 and 7013 rod (if I remember right).
I had a cell failure early on, and my system was 30, not 32V.
Worked fine for years.
I'm quite sure 24V would work, at least for smallest rods. It
certainly works for MIG welding. Century made a 24V "Portable
MIG" to use on 24V diesel vehicles and farm machines for field
repairs. They were made in 70's and 80's. Nice, 'cuz they are
light-weight / no transformer. I used one on my PV system until
I moved recently. I had 3-4V of line loss and it still worked
fine with .030 wire. Again, it has steel coils with taps for
control.
If you want MIG, search for a Century Portable MIG.
Otherwise, get the smallest sticks and try 24V. I think I tried
it, or heard that it's not quite enough V. 36V is MORE than you
need. If you do 36, use undersized cable because you'll need
resistance anyway!
Searching … 24V MIG is in remote storage with hen's teeth and
unobtainium.
but discussion at
confirmed that you can do stick with 24V.
AND somebody suggested this:
The spool gun looks like the modern way to solve the problem
for professional use. Reviews there say it doesn't have speed
control on the gun. So you need a resistance coil with taps, and
you need a speed control.
I hope this helps!
Windy
Windy Dankoff Solar Bozo Emeritus
Specialist in
solar-electric applications & solar
water pumping
Education <> Industry support
<> Since 1975
---------------------------------
Founder,
retired, Dankoff Solar Products, Inc.
spin-offs: Dankoff
Solar Pumps • Positive Energy • Conergy
USA
Co-author, work in progress: The Handbook of
Solar Water Pumping
12-minute TV interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt3hKgriSbo&list=TLrXFKMLwzCwuUD5h52WCzKdWRR-Juk3XA
---------------------------------
Santa Fe, NM
home (505) 466-4280
cell (505) 490-0313
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