All,
I play around with Electronics...most for house hold repair...I do have a Masters degree in Science but not in Electrical Engineering.
This appliance is a old welder that has seen very limited use (not more than 40 hrs) since I have bought/owned it new (Close to 30 years now).
I was using it the other day extensively,(first time in a decade about 6 hours) and I left the setting knob at the highest value and turned the unit off to go to the other side of the vehicle.
Upon turning it on I heard a loud humming noise and it blew the house breaker. At this point this continued after the breaker reset so I shut it down and checked again later the next day...Upon inspection the next day I limited things down to the rectifier being shorted.
Upon inspection of the rectifier Button Diodes (12 total - 2 star patterns that house 6 button diodes each). I found a single diode that is shorted out.
So I went looking and researching replacements. I have included a schematic of the welder found on inside panel of the welder.
After doing some research (forums and welder tool parts etc) that I believe I should pick up 12 new 50 amp button diodes. The welder part stores state that the diodes are discontinued now and they were more or less universal) fits for many century welders including much larger units from what I can ascertain. I have also found a slew a 25 amp button diodes available most for alternators/battery chargers but question there size for the application.
Most promising are some AR504 Diodes (25 total pcs) on Amazon for about 40 dollars which seems reasonable but wasteful. (Only sell in 10 and 25 packs)
The questions now are mostly theoretical as recently ended up (Birthday gift) purchasing a new rectifier that is actually a Century part for the unit. I may refurbish the old rectifier...cause I do plan to use this welder extensively in the next few years on a beetle restoration/farm work.
Anyways the questions;
1) I had significant issue sourcing these button diodes...Any suggestions for a online Part store for this application?
2) I considered the possibility of a new rectifier...a non-Century Part number but what size rectifier would be proper for this unit?
3) Been told that Voltage of 400 and above in this situation is probably Good Enough. Thoughts?
Thanks everyone.
Chris
I play around with Electronics...most for house hold repair...I do have a Masters degree in Science but not in Electrical Engineering.
This appliance is a old welder that has seen very limited use (not more than 40 hrs) since I have bought/owned it new (Close to 30 years now).
I was using it the other day extensively,(first time in a decade about 6 hours) and I left the setting knob at the highest value and turned the unit off to go to the other side of the vehicle.
Upon turning it on I heard a loud humming noise and it blew the house breaker. At this point this continued after the breaker reset so I shut it down and checked again later the next day...Upon inspection the next day I limited things down to the rectifier being shorted.
Upon inspection of the rectifier Button Diodes (12 total - 2 star patterns that house 6 button diodes each). I found a single diode that is shorted out.
So I went looking and researching replacements. I have included a schematic of the welder found on inside panel of the welder.
After doing some research (forums and welder tool parts etc) that I believe I should pick up 12 new 50 amp button diodes. The welder part stores state that the diodes are discontinued now and they were more or less universal) fits for many century welders including much larger units from what I can ascertain. I have also found a slew a 25 amp button diodes available most for alternators/battery chargers but question there size for the application.
Most promising are some AR504 Diodes (25 total pcs) on Amazon for about 40 dollars which seems reasonable but wasteful. (Only sell in 10 and 25 packs)
The questions now are mostly theoretical as recently ended up (Birthday gift) purchasing a new rectifier that is actually a Century part for the unit. I may refurbish the old rectifier...cause I do plan to use this welder extensively in the next few years on a beetle restoration/farm work.
Anyways the questions;
1) I had significant issue sourcing these button diodes...Any suggestions for a online Part store for this application?
2) I considered the possibility of a new rectifier...a non-Century Part number but what size rectifier would be proper for this unit?
3) Been told that Voltage of 400 and above in this situation is probably Good Enough. Thoughts?
Thanks everyone.
Chris
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