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Welding with a solar system

 
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Hello , i have a question about using a inverter welder on my solar system. Maybe only for small and quick work .I have 5 bateries 500 amp on 12 volt , a inverter to 220 v, 1500 watt and conected a transformer to 110 v 2000 watt. Can i use a 110 volt / 1000 watt inverter welder or can this cause damage to my pure sine inverter ?
Thanks permies,
Las Cascadas permaculture
Costa Rica
 
rocket scientist
Posts: 5361
Location: latitude 47 N.W. montana zone 6A
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cat pig rocket stoves
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Hi Heiner;  I also have a 110 vt small stick inverter welder.
I have not connected it to the house power. (pure sine) I just don't want to stress my battery's.
Instead I plug the welder directly  into my small inverter generator.
It makes beautiful welds as long as the operator can keep his hand steady...

In your case if you do not have a generator.
I'm sure your inverter can handle the load , its the battery's that I would watch very closely.
Pull to much power and you will warp the plates.
What are your battery's?   You said 500 amp @ 12 vt  with 5 battery's ?  Are these deep cycle? Or automotive? With 5 battery's they have to be 12 volts each.

The little suitcase inverter welders are very efficient.  You might be fine.
Give it a go and let us know how well it worked for you!

71N4m-2i-BL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
My little stick welder
My little stick welder
 
heiner heckmann
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Hi Thomas,
I have 5 x 105 amp deep cicle gel bateries, conected with 1/2 inch copper cable. No , i won't give it a go to tell you that everything is warped off.Thanks for the warning !  But if i can not find any further info i may try a inverter generator. What size do you use ?
Thanks
 
thomas rubino
rocket scientist
Posts: 5361
Location: latitude 47 N.W. montana zone 6A
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Hi Heiner;
Good choice to not give it a go.  Your battery's would of had a hard time of it.    
I use and highly recommend the Harbor Freight predator 3500 inverter generator.
It outperforms the larger non inverter gensets it replaced!

I was able to modify mine so it runs on my house propane tank. So no pouring gas on my feet at dark thirty in the winter!
I also, was easily able to Hard wire a start and stop switch directly next to my comfy chair where it is very convenient when the battery's need help.  

Harbor freight offers an extended warranty... one year or two.  Well worth the money.
Not that your genny will break but at 14 months you bring it back, pay only for a new extended warranty... and go home with a brand new genny.... They last a really long time that way!

If you are interested , I have a post all about converting to propane and hard wiring a remote switch, on that genny.  
Both easily revert to factory stock when you trade in your used genny for a new one!

63584_W3.jpg
predator 3500 inverter
predator 3500 inverter
 
gardener
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Location: Kingman, Arizona
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I would be very interested in that post about your genny conversion Thomas. Very limited options for a portable generator that runs on propane and is remote start on the market.
 
thomas rubino
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Here is the link to my thread about propane conversion.    https://permies.com/t/96351/Motor-Snorkel-Propane-conversion-generators
Here is a link to hard wiring it.   https://permies.com/t/99015/Wiring-remote-start-Predator
 
pollinator
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I weld off grid all the time.  Using two 12 volt batteries.  Used to charge direct with a small 80watt panel know i have a 24 volt charger and charge off my big solar system.

Here’s the unit I use.  It lives in my pick up!
http://readywelder.com/
 
Byron Gagne
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Here a post I did awhile ago



https://permies.com/t/55529/Perfect-offgrid-welder
 
Posts: 621
Location: St. George, UT. Zone 8a Dry/arid. 8" of rain in a good year.
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I am surprised readywelders aren't more popular.  I bought one in 2008 (I used to live where Pirate 4x4's webmaster lived btw, Pollock Pines, CA).  Had it in my Jeep when I'd run the Rubicon trail.  Never had to use it for a trail repair, though.
Two 12v batteries are a bit too much for most stuff.  A 12v and a 6v are better.
I've not used mine in over ten years, but it sits in its case awaiting the day I go off grid.



IMG_20200918_161329343.jpg
ready welder
ready welder
 
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