So how is the inductance adjusted in response to the movements, forward or backward, of the rotary encoder??

On my much older machine, the inductance is adjusted by manual switching between taps on the coil. Considering the current involved, I suspect switching or maybe moving a core in this newer welder is done mechanically and controlled by the MCU on the PCB, but maybe not. The manual is pretty lacking on those details. Maybe you can find a more detailed service manual or get your answer here.

 

On my much older machine, the inductance is adjusted by manual switching between taps on the coil. Considering the current involved, I suspect switching or maybe moving a core in this newer welder is done mechanically and controlled by the MCU on the PCB, but maybe not. The manual is pretty lacking on those details. Maybe you can find a more detailed service manual or get your answer here.

In high power antenna tuners it is common to use a manually operated "roller" inductor. No reason it could not be driven by a small motor. They do not appear to be particularly inexpensive.

 

In high power antenna tuners it is common to use a manually operated "roller" inductor. No reason it could not be driven by a small motor. They do not appear to be particularly inexpensive.

Those "roller" inductors were a pain in the butt after long periods of usage in an auto tuner due to contact wear. We used them in several types of antenna couplers.

 

As this is an inverter welder I suspect that the encoder controls the output of the inverter. I also suspect that the capacitors are switches across the output. I think that relays control if there is one capacitor, two capacitors or. no capacitors across the output.
There is a comment in the manual that indicates that a schematic of your particular model is stuck to the inside of one of the panels. That may give more information than the part schematic in the manual.

Les.

 

As this is an inverter welder I suspect that the encoder controls the output of the inverter. I also suspect that the capacitors are switches across the output. I think that relays control if there is one capacitor, two capacitors or. no capacitors across the output.
There is a comment in the manual that indicates that a schematic of your particular model is stuck to the inside of one of the panels. That may give more information than the part schematic in the manual.

Les.

PB raised a question about the inductor. The electrical diagram shows just an inductor, yet the user interface allows a continuous (0-100%) adjustment of the inductance. Any ideas how that is done? I searched for "teardowns" and so forth and came up blank.

Like, I know how my 1983 vintage Linde 225 works, but this is a "few" years later.

 

PB raised a question about the inductor. The electrical diagram shows just an inductor, yet the user interface allows a continuous (0-100%) adjustment of the inductance. Any ideas how that is done? I searched for "teardowns" and so forth and came up blank.

Like, I know how my 1983 vintage Linde 225 works, but this is a "few" years later.

I'm glad I'm not the only that thought the question was relevant. I'm still very curious especially given the initial conjecture: "I imagine that there is some sort of harness that is attached to the PCB which would connect itself to some device that would control the power output of the capacitor. I imagine that its a pretty simple concept,..." The concept is proving to be difficult in it's own right.

 

@shortbus
I am just an amateur welder, but I have never had a weld fail, including welds on 321 stainless mufflers for turbo-supercharged engines. Shortbus is the real expert here. Maybe he has some insight.

 

Shortbus is the real expert here. Maybe he has some insight.

I'm an old school welder don't know anything about inverter welders, other than the newer ones are much better than the old ones were.

 

I'm an old school welder don't know anything about inverter welders, other than the newer ones are much better than the old ones were.

I just don't feel like buying a new one. My old Linde does what I need it to do.