Project 3, Solar Tig Welding, from Tritium

[Tritium]

Below is a pic of 2 razor blades I welded together a few moments ago.

Ok your asking yourself why am I crowing about a bad looking tig weld on 2 razor blades.

This weld was done with a 26 series torch, medium gas lens, #8 cup, .040 2% lanthinated tungsten, 7 scfh argon flow, scratch start, 1/2" thick copper backer bar.

The kicker here is the power source was 2 spare 100 watt solar panels wired in a series.

Approx 25VDC at 5.25A Torch wired straight polarity.

I have wanted to try welding with solar panels ever since I put in my array and drew a nice arc one day while wiring them.

I think the test was very successful given I have less than 36" total tig welding experience to date.

Now to practice.

Thurmond

[performance]

Hey,
I wonder what kind of efficiency you could get by powering the solar panel with the arc flash? You may have created a perpetual machine here. lol.

[Tritium]

There was not much arc flash. I could almost use dark shades for welding with it. My Harbor Freight cheapy helmet works great at 5A though.

Thurmond

[DaveO]

I saw that "low amp solar TIG" addition to your tag line and meant to ask you about it. Green welding, who'd'a thunk it. Next you'll be welding razor blades with a transformer from a neon sign!

[ogorir]

hmmm... I might have to try this out. you know this more thoroughly than I, but Texas has LOTS of sun. if I could get 20A, I'd be golden

[Tritium]

20A You need 3, 27V 8A 200 watt panels wired in parallel. See http://sunelec.com/index.php?main_pa...oducts_id=1657

Thurmond