| Author | Message | ||
     Bob Foster (Coppertop) Member Username: Coppertop Post Number: 78 Registered: 12-2002 |
Lookin to purchase one.... | ||
| Roland Kutasi (Disco1) Member Username: Disco1 Post Number: 98 Registered: 10-2002 |
I cannot imagine why you would want an on board welder, but you should also purchase the biggest amp rated alternator you can get. BTW, I don't know what sort of surge protection the welder has but it would pay to check this out. A fried computer off road...cheez! | ||
| \Mike... (Mpeters) Member Username: Mpeters Post Number: 113 Registered: 02-2002 |
uhh... ok... anyway, in case you CAN imagine why you might want one of these, you should look into zena or most likely premier power... both are DC Arc Welders. actually, there is another one - ReadyWelder.. a MIG gun that looks damn nice. I have seen it on a few websites, including Premier's, but I'm guessing they just resell it. The ReadyWelder is just a MIG gun, so you can either hook it up to a couple of batteries for a few minutes of use, or to some type of engine-alternator setup for continuous use. That's probably why Premier is selling it - it would make a nice add-on to their alternator unit if you already owned it. Now, the Zena and Premier Power are both DC alternator-type ARC welders that pull from a 150amp-200amp belt driven alternator source. The Zena includes what looks to be a very nice electrode holder that contains the power, boost, and current controls. These are located on a seperate control box with the Premier. I know that I have had to stop and adjust the current on my premier by fuxxing with the engine idle - or have someone adjust it for me while I start the weld, to get things just right.. having that control on the electrode holder would be kind of nice. But the main thing here is the power source... the alternator - I "think" the Zena still only offers their V-belt type drive pulley - u usually attach these to the flywheel or to the existing alternator with a piggyback pulley. The Premier Power setup replaces your stock alternator, so no issues with your existing serpentine setup (assuming we are talking disco here). ** Even cooler, Premier Power now takes the newer Range Rover alternators and crams their custom stator wiring into the shell to crank out 190amps! - that's nice. I have an older unit that only does 160amps, and had to make a custom bracket to get it aligned properly into the Discovery saddle-mount, but the new ones would be a direct bolt-in replacement. AND they are cranking out 190amps.. Plus having the Premier Power converter box under the hood gives you a pretty heavy duty 115DC inverter - u can weld and run your grinder for prep and clean-up off the same unit. | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Senior Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 284 Registered: 02-2003 |
http://www.expeditionexchange.com/moab2001/ http://www.expeditionexchange.com/moab2001/DCP_0621hole.jpg http://www.expeditionexchange.com/moab2001/Image076hole.jpg http://www.expeditionexchange.com/moab2001/Image077hole.jpg sometimes shit happens out on the trial and it makes life easier | ||
| Max Thomason (Lrmax) Member Username: Lrmax Post Number: 149 Registered: 11-2002 |
Bob, I got my sorry butt saved by one of those on board welders. If you got the money, then I say go for it. I would love to have one but the lack of $$$$ makes that aquirement very difficult  . Max T. | ||
| Larry Grubbs (Larryg) Member Username: Larryg Post Number: 218 Registered: 03-2002 |
I would watch out for the Premier Power Welder high output alternators. I have heard a few stories about problems caused by the increased output. But now I'm off subject a little. I too have been thinking about a portable welder. I will probably go with the Ready Welder. It is small and will weld anything you need on a trail. Plus it only needs 2 batts to run. And low and behold if I don't already have 2 batts on my truck. Larry | ||
| Greg Tearne (Gooddoggomez) New Member Username: Gooddoggomez Post Number: 14 Registered: 02-2003 |
I've seen bushies over here using two batteries and jumper cables quite successfully. Just got to make sure you have a good grip on the welding rod. From memory, they just made a circuit from the piece they were welding, the two batteries (removed from the vehicle/s) to the rod. Makes for a good "tight arse tuesday" solution. | ||
| \Mike... (Mpeters) Member Username: Mpeters Post Number: 114 Registered: 02-2002 |
hey larry: what problems specifically have you heard about the premier alts? Anything first-hand? If anyone has any questions, you could always call Premier and ask - they will probably direct ur questions to Harry, and he will most likely talk to you about alternators and welding for hours if your interested! actually, he's a great guy - no sales pitch, just a lot of knowledge. And using just a battery-only setup would probably work fine for quick shots (Greg - i would LOVE to see the jumper cable trick!), but you have zero voltage/amperage control and you would probably have two dead batteries in about 15 mins if you welded continuously. Would be an easy add to ur off-road kit, though. |
