Hi group,

I want to use a welding machine on board and power it with my onboard
6 kW generator. The welding machine is a AC/DC HF-TIG with a lot of
electronics inside. I have no documentation of my generator so I
wanted to deal with the possibility of voltage spikes fi directly
after stopping the welding-arc.

My ships chandler gave me the following advice:
In the power cord add an automatic fuse. Directlly after the fuse
connect the phase and the null using a 235v Varistor. Under 235 volts
it'll maintain high resistance and all will function normally. When
the voltage exceeds 235 it will short circuit and the fuse will break
the connection.

What do you think of this setup. Will it operate fast enough to really
prevent a voltage spike to reach my welding machine?

Regards, Len,
S/v Present

Silly me....I'd just disconnect the boat from the genset while I was
using the welder. Switch off the boat's breaker and run the welder
directly from an outlet on the genset, even if you have to add it.

KISS....(c;



Len wrote in
:

Hi group,

I want to use a welding machine on board and power it with my onboard
6 kW generator. The welding machine is a AC/DC HF-TIG with a lot of
electronics inside. I have no documentation of my generator so I
wanted to deal with the possibility of voltage spikes fi directly
after stopping the welding-arc.

My ships chandler gave me the following advice:
In the power cord add an automatic fuse. Directlly after the fuse
connect the phase and the null using a 235v Varistor. Under 235 volts
it'll maintain high resistance and all will function normally. When
the voltage exceeds 235 it will short circuit and the fuse will break
the connection.

What do you think of this setup. Will it operate fast enough to really
prevent a voltage spike to reach my welding machine?

Regards, Len,
S/v Present

Hi Larry, thanks for responding, mate.

I do use an outlet directly off the genset.
I wouldn't weld via the ships net... might fry the combined
charger/inverter.

Point is the genset may deliver voltage spikes (according to anyone
here I speak to) when I use it to operate the welder. Particularly
when I stop the welding-arc the genset could give a surge.
I use the varistor/fuse to shut the power off when voltage exceeds
235v but I wonder if this really protects the welder...
I mean when the varistor senses 235 it shortcircuits but that takes
time. In this time only a superb being knows what can happen...or?

Thanks, Len.


On Fri, 13 Jan 2006 08:17:17 -0500, Larry wrote:

Silly me....I'd just disconnect the boat from the genset while I was
using the welder. Switch off the boat's breaker and run the welder
directly from an outlet on the genset, even if you have to add it.

KISS....(c;



Len wrote in
:

Hi group,

I want to use a welding machine on board and power it with my onboard
6 kW generator. The welding machine is a AC/DC HF-TIG with a lot of
electronics inside. I have no documentation of my generator so I
wanted to deal with the possibility of voltage spikes fi directly
after stopping the welding-arc.

My ships chandler gave me the following advice:
In the power cord add an automatic fuse. Directlly after the fuse
connect the phase and the null using a 235v Varistor. Under 235 volts
it'll maintain high resistance and all will function normally. When
the voltage exceeds 235 it will short circuit and the fuse will break
the connection.

What do you think of this setup. Will it operate fast enough to really
prevent a voltage spike to reach my welding machine?

Regards, Len,
S/v Present

Len wrote in
:

Point is the genset may deliver voltage spikes (according to anyone
here I speak to) when I use it to operate the welder. Particularly


If your welder were hooked to the genset as you say, then simply disconnect
the boat from the genset by turning off the boat's main AC breaker at the
panel until you're done with the welder. No surge makes it through an open
breaker. The boat won't sink if it doesn't have AC power for a couple of
hours while you're welding..(c;

On Fri, 13 Jan 2006 19:42:30 -0500, Larry wrote:

If your welder were hooked to the genset as you say, then simply disconnect
the boat from the genset by turning off the boat's main AC breaker at the
panel until you're done with the welder. No surge makes it through an open
breaker. The boat won't sink if it doesn't have AC power for a couple of
hours while you're welding..(c;

Sorry Larry, didn't make myself clear enough.
The boat _is_ shut off... I want to protect the welder's electronics.
The d**ned thing is expensive.

TIA, Len.

Len wrote in
:

Sorry Larry, didn't make myself clear enough.
The boat _is_ shut off... I want to protect the welder's electronics.
The d**ned thing is expensive.



The welder's electronics runs off a regulated power supply that already HAS
circuit protection to keep the welder manufacturer out of the welder repair
business. Welders are lucky if they get 80% of their spec voltage in a car
shop...(c;

Don't think so? Call the manufacturer or send him an email and ask 'em.

Len wrote:
Hi group,

I want to use a welding machine on board and power it with my onboard
6 kW generator. The welding machine is a AC/DC HF-TIG with a lot of
electronics inside. I have no documentation of my generator so I
wanted to deal with the possibility of voltage spikes fi directly
after stopping the welding-arc.

My ships chandler gave me the following advice:
In the power cord add an automatic fuse. Directlly after the fuse
connect the phase and the null using a 235v Varistor. Under 235 volts
it'll maintain high resistance and all will function normally. When
the voltage exceeds 235 it will short circuit and the fuse will break
the connection.

What do you think of this setup. Will it operate fast enough to really
prevent a voltage spike to reach my welding machine?

Regards, Len,
S/v Present

What kind of metal do you want to weld? Alu or steel or stainless steel?
Most power you wil need for ALU. For 10mm alu you wil need 500amp AC
high frequent.
So if you will weld at 80% of the max, I don't think you wil have a problem.


--
Geert Maene.