Re: [TCML] How to use an arc welder as a ballast?

["marcus masencup" <mmasencup@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks for the great reply, bunnykiller! I have also read that I can run two
similar welder in parallel together and increase the ability of the
ballast this way. Would that work to allow me to push the pig harder without
hurting the welders? Thanks again!

On Sun, May 4, 2008 at 10:08 PM, bunnykiller <bunnikillr@xxxxxxx> wrote:

> Hey Marcus...
>
> First and foremost you must consider the size and capacity of the welder
> to be used "as a ballast". second thing to consider is the type of wire used
> in the welder itself, aluminum wiring wont last too long, copper wiring on
> the welders transformer primary will have a better life span.
> as for the wiring technique, the 2(3) leads that power the welder will be
> the ones used to "ballast" the piggie. General concensus calls for wiring
> the welder as such....
>
> the ground lead(green)of the welder goes to ground of the receptical on
> the source, the black lead ( hot wire from the source/recepticle) attaches
> to the black lead of the welder, the red ( most commonly used in 240VAC ,,,
> the other half of the dual 120vac) of the welder attaches to one of the
> inputs of the piggie, the other input of the piggie attaches to the red
> output of the source/recepticle. Basically the welder primary is in series
> with the input to the piggie.
>
> short out the secondary side of the welder ( in other words stick a short
> length of welding lead between the welders ground and welding lead output)
>
> start with the welder set on minimal current setting and slowly work your
> way up to higher current levels via the current control on the welder to
> increase current thru the piggie. WATCH for glowing inside the welder,
> smoke, or rather obnoxious humming noises, if it begins to throw sparks,
> shut it down and begin looking for another welder or a really big
> transformer core to wind your own ballast.
>
> IF you have the welders original paperwork, see what the DUTY CYCLE is...
>  this is a rating as to how long the welder can remain on for a maximim
> amount of time before it needs a cool down period. When a welder is used as
> a ballast, the welder "thinks" it is in its welding status since the welding
> leads are shorted ( in welding mode)
> If you can, find a scrap yard or such that will have a 10 - 20 KVA rated
> step down transformer ( 480 to 240) you will have a great core to rewind for
> a ballast. Usually they are a bit heavy but can handle the requirements of
> ballasting a piggie...
>
> Scot D
>
>
>
> marcus masencup wrote:
>
>   I am stepping up to pole pigs after years of using NST's. I have read
> > everything I can find online and for me it seems that an arc welder is
> > the
> > easiest way to add the current limiting and ballast I need to run the
> > 10kva
> > pole pig I have. What I can't find is how I need to wire the arc welder
> > up
> > with the pole pig? Any help on how to wire this would be great, thanks!
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