- Thread starter gavuk
- Start date
shenion
Tool Pack Rat
- Messages
- 7,586
- Location
- Stone Mountain, GA USA
Basically uses the earth to control the current. More/deeper ground rods will be lower resistance. The box is nothing but an inductor to help maintain the arc. Current loop is mains --> arc --> ground rod nack to mains ground.
I bet it changes current as it boils out any water near the ground rod.
Like I said, no real control. For just a bit more, you could get a cheap arc welder that you would have much better control over. Have seen 220A Clarkes for about $120 on fleabay new.
rtbcomp
Moderator
- Messages
- 18,574
- Location
- Sheffield UK
But its dangerous! You get mains voltage at the electrode until the arc's struck.
In the UK earth wire in twin & earth is rated at less than the cable current so it will burn out, and it will trip any RCD in the circuit. Earth return through the actual ground won't allow that amount of current to flow, and I bet most houses (in the UK) have an 80-100 amp supply.
Earthing to building services could make pipes & ironwork live - the thing's a nightmare.
In the UK earth wire in twin & earth is rated at less than the cable current so it will burn out, and it will trip any RCD in the circuit. Earth return through the actual ground won't allow that amount of current to flow, and I bet most houses (in the UK) have an 80-100 amp supply.
Earthing to building services could make pipes & ironwork live - the thing's a nightmare.
shenion
Tool Pack Rat
- Messages
- 7,586
- Location
- Stone Mountain, GA USA
Yes, dangerous. Like I said it violates al kids of wiring rules. Notice they bypass the fuse panel and connect directly to the incoming line. So, no RCD involved.
The max current allowed on any ground here is on the order of 60 microamps (most PC's have about his much.) This is 8 orders of magnitude over the limit
Ebay should ban it, they should not be involved in it in any way.
The max current allowed on any ground here is on the order of 60 microamps (most PC's have about his much.) This is 8 orders of magnitude over the limit
Ebay should ban it, they should not be involved in it in any way.
rtbcomp
Moderator
- Messages
- 18,574
- Location
- Sheffield UK
It's unclear which is the incoming mains on the diagram. The fusebox shown could be between the incoming and the meter, or it could be after the meter. In the UK the incoming is fused before the meter and individual circuits after.
True, domestic RCDs should be out of it, although stray currents may cause one to trip. I suspect something may trip in the local substation with that imbalance!
I've reported it to ebay, but have had no response, I suspect whoever decides these matters doesn't understand the technology!
True, domestic RCDs should be out of it, although stray currents may cause one to trip. I suspect something may trip in the local substation with that imbalance!
I've reported it to ebay, but have had no response, I suspect whoever decides these matters doesn't understand the technology!
rtbcomp
Moderator
- Messages
- 18,574
- Location
- Sheffield UK
zardoz
Old school Socialist
- Messages
- 2,217
- Location
- Chetser, UK
Well done that man. Enough joking though guys that is seriously dangerous, i reported it to ebay, and i suggest anyone with an account do the same. People could die using that. I have seen less dangerous welding machines made from junk and sold on the streets of Africa.
Last edited:
- Messages
- 22,517
- Location
- Birmingham
I wear more PPE than that just going to the toilet
And I hope you carried out the correct risk assessment to identify any hazards!
matt1978
www.lorch.eu
- Messages
- 3,966
- Location
- UK, Cannock
Yeah that is a seriously unsafe tool to be using..........I don't think the world needs any smaller welder than we have available now anyway........do you?
Every reputable western manufacturer can offer a small portable MMA Inverter, which only weighs 4-6 kilos anyway, which will have proper warranty's, be totally safe to use and offer better features, such as hotstart, anti stick etc.
And if people don't want to pay for western price inverters, fleebay is full of chinese versions of simerla size and weights, so I don't see why anyone would want to risk there life using such a thing.
Every reputable western manufacturer can offer a small portable MMA Inverter, which only weighs 4-6 kilos anyway, which will have proper warranty's, be totally safe to use and offer better features, such as hotstart, anti stick etc.
And if people don't want to pay for western price inverters, fleebay is full of chinese versions of simerla size and weights, so I don't see why anyone would want to risk there life using such a thing.
madkayaker
Pro sparkey Pro Welder
- Messages
- 13,678
I think this welder has been removed from eBay (or they have all been bought!) done a couple of searches and it didn't come up. Happy days!!
malcolm
& Clementine the Cat
- Messages
- 9,682
- Location
- Bedford UK
That's a relief - don't know how many people reported it to eBay but most likely lots (well done guys). It's bad, unnecessarily dangerous, and unlikely to work as well as anything that actually works never mind anything thet's nice to use. Room 101 for that one.
lovelectricity
Senior Moments
- Messages
- 128
just found this, what a machine!! i want two. (ok so i know people i dont like). any offers for my proud invention, the pylon powered welder. for only £49.99 you can weld 100mm thick steel in the next county! anyone? anyone at all? ok its YOUR loss... of power for 2 days when i find a big enough bell-end to test it.
