Anyone here got an alternator welder on their truck or tractor?

[Nigelw]

Been looking at an alternator welder to go on my Land Rover, been thinking that it could be a help if we go away in the bush for an extended period and something breaks!!

Anyone here got one fitted or got experience of using them?

 

[bigdeano]

I built one recently driven by an electric motor to use in my shop. It works surprisingly well. I used a Ford 1G large frame 100A alternator because it's just like my car has and can be used without modification. The sheet that came with it says it will put out 125A. I'm running the alternator at 3800 rpm. It has plenty of power for 1/8 7014 rod. Don't see that you'd need more than that for an automobile. I got the alternator new on ebay for 42.50 with free shipping.

I prefer welding with it over my 180A AC welder except on real heavy stuff.

 

[Stimw]

The company that I worked for in late 70's early 80's had some portable welders that had 16 hp Briggs & Stratton engines and were rated at 200 amp DC.
They ran the large truck size alternator at about 9000 RPM.
They had a large bank of diodes that converted the 3 phase AC to DC and worked very well.
BUT, the B & S engine vibrated them apart and it was hard to keep the drive belts tight with the 1 to 3 drive ratio.
I used to jump start Semi's with one using lower RPM.

 

[RDrancher]

I have a Premier Powerwelder sitting in the shop. Premier Power Welder high-frequency on board vehicle welders, high-amp alternators, battery clamps, charging systems, Ready Welder

My plan is to install it in my flatbed work truck. It was mounted in my small block Chevy powered FJ40 Land Cruiser for many years. The setup made hundreds of welds on hundreds of far away rock crawling trails. Broken frames, steering box and motor mounts, etc. Even welded a broken main leaf spring that held for another 15 miles on the trail and over a hundred miles back on the highway. Awesome unit!

 

[muddstopper]

I have thought about making a small portable welder using a 24v equipment alternator several times, but never gotten around to sorting out the details to make it work. A few times i could have used one to get out of a bind.

 

[Sodo]

These fellas put the "P" in "Portable" !
(wonder if I really ** believe ** they towed a Bronco without look looking over the trailer hitch first.)

(pics from Premier Power Welder high-frequency portable 4x4 and off-road on-board welding unit for MIG, heli-arc, TIG welding )

 

[RDrancher]

These fellas put the "P" in "Portable" !
(wonder if I really ** believe ** they towed a Bronco without look looking over the trailer hitch first.)

Pat towed that Bronco all over the country almost every week so I doubt if he checked it before every trip. Before I had my own Premier, Pat used the Bronco's welder to repair my motorhome's hitch when it broke hauling my Cruiser into Johnson Valley. I bought one the next week.

 

[Texasmark]

I guess we are talking about a stand alone power unit. At first I thought you were suggesting a welder driven by your vehicles alternator and I laughed aloud at the thought.

Mark

 

[CNC Dan]

I guess we are talking about a stand alone power unit. At first I thought you were suggesting a welder driven by your vehicles alternator and I laughed aloud at the thought.

Mark

The one in the links is a replacement alternator, that is powered by the trucks engine.

 

[Bladehauler]

Ive got a Zena alternator welder that's powered by a 15 hp engine that I built and it welds quite nice , good for 150 amps .its no sa200 but welds pretty darn well .