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TIG welder conversion progress report

This is a little update on my TIG welder conversion. I am trying to convert it to a multiprocess welder, CC stick, CC TIG, CV MIG, and also plasma.

I have a PCTI SCR firing controller, and bought a Cubloc microprocessor to control it. Readers of SED may have a little more details, which I am not sure how deeply I should get into (maybe no one is interested).

As of right now, after writing about 1000 lines in BASIC, and wiring the microcontroller and relays into the welder, the following is actually working:

1) Stick welding

2) TIG welding (gas, water, high frequency arc stabilization on demand)

3) Arbitrary power supply mode where I can just dial in voltage and current

I am quite happy in that the power supply can let me do all the things that I could do before.

I already have BASIC code for pulsed TIG, but I have not yet tried it. Just recalled that I had it, but it is ifdef'ed out for now.

Of interest is the fact that high frequency does not seem to damage anything, even though the welder is open.

I hope to soon receive a Digimig wire feeder by L-tec/Linde. Perhaps I could actually get it to work (it is kind of complicated, as I learned). I have some MIG code, but likely it would need to be fully replaced.

Also I do not have the foot pedal working yet.

i
Reply to
Ignoramus2330
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Pretty damned impressive, I'd say!!!!! So, are you going to be building all things to all people welders soon? Hate to see all that effort going into just one unit.

You should, that makes TIG so marvellous to do.

Jon

Reply to
Jon Elson

I haste to add to my report that not everything is working perfectly, for example the response of the power supply is not linear with respect to current setting. Ie, I set the welder so that it does

50 amps when I dial 50 amps, but it does only about 90 amps when I dial 100 amps, for some reason. (I have to dial about 114 amps to get 100 actual, I am going by memory)

But thanks for the compliment anyway.

One thing that I learned about this CC vs. CV is that it is mostly about software, not hardware (although a transformer that only needs to go to 36 volts, as in MIG, as opposed to 80 volts, like in TIG, could be smaller for the same current, I think).

Maybe I will try pulsed tig tonight. I already have code.

I agree 100%, in fact I do have a foot pedal. I should do it. All I need is the pedal, plug, receptacle, and a DPDT switch.

i
Reply to
Ignoramus2330

Damn..I wish you were closer..Id GIVE you the big Hobart CyberTig II that I have and see what you could do with it.

Gunner

"If thy pride is sorely vexed when others disparage your offering, be as lamb's wool is to cold rain and the Gore-tex of Odin's raiment is to gullshit in the gale, for thy angst shall vex them not at all. Yea, they shall scorn thee all the more. Rejoice in sharing what you have to share without expectation of adoration, knowing that sharing your treasure does not diminish your treasure but enriches it."

- Onni 1:33

Reply to
Gunner

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woodworker88

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