that works great! i am working a homemade plasma cutter too! i had it working(kinda) the plasma arc wasn't staying on, like it would go on then go off multiple time a second. any idea what the problem might be? Anyway since then i redesigned the power supply, i have a 70 amp bridge rectifier that goes to the filter capacitors then the positive goes to the resistor(i also used a water heater element, it is about 7 ohms) then the work clamp, then the negative goes to the cutting head
I have to currently manually start the arc by shorting the torch with a small piece of mig wire in end of the torch. What are you using to start your torch?
i was using a stun gun, but i don't think it is powerful enough, i am planning to get an ignition coil to ignite it, to start the arc with the mig wire do you touch the nozzle of the torch to the metal then short it out?
The stun gun is actually a very good method. the starter coil is a spark, while the stun gun is a continuous DC arc. I have not been able to get the torch to light with the ignition coil. To start the torch with the mig wire, you insert it in the end, and touch it to the work, when the mig wire vaporizes, it creates an arc, which starts the torch. This is not a good idea though, it severally degrades the electrode and tip life.
i haven't been able to ignite it with the stun gun, i just tried using a piece of very thin copper wire, it didn't work though, i will keep trying. what is the voltage between the electrode and work clamp on your setup?
You cant use copper wire. It will fuse to the electrode and destroy it. You have to use mig wire because it is steel. The open circuit voltage of the DC bus is 339VDC. This is coming from a 230VAC service.
i don't have any mig wire but i might have something small enough that is steel. that might be my problem, i used a 120v service instead of 240v my open circuit voltage is about 170 volts
@twenglish1 check if you spark is enough strong for the plasma ignition. you need ionize the air passing through the torch before the plasma arch are ignited, and the way for air ionizing is a high voltage high frequency spark, there in internet i already found an oscillator circuit with an 555 oscillator and extremely well you can use any old tv flayback or an old car spark coil unit and is very cheap to buld
That works great! Awesome! You seriously need to wear something on your eyes though, even if just a pair of sunglasses. Molten metal in the eye can put an end to a YouTube video very quickly..:)
Thanks!! I was surprised at how well it cut at 26A. I cant wait to get it mounted on its designated CNC gantry.
I know about the glasses. I really should have spent more time finding some. After seeing what it can really do, I will be going to get some before I do any more. Thanks for your concern though!!
not too keen on safety equipment are you? :P
Lambda25 1 year ago
that works great! i am working a homemade plasma cutter too! i had it working(kinda) the plasma arc wasn't staying on, like it would go on then go off multiple time a second. any idea what the problem might be? Anyway since then i redesigned the power supply, i have a 70 amp bridge rectifier that goes to the filter capacitors then the positive goes to the resistor(i also used a water heater element, it is about 7 ohms) then the work clamp, then the negative goes to the cutting head
twenglish1 2 years ago
I have to currently manually start the arc by shorting the torch with a small piece of mig wire in end of the torch. What are you using to start your torch?
Adamj12b 2 years ago
i was using a stun gun, but i don't think it is powerful enough, i am planning to get an ignition coil to ignite it, to start the arc with the mig wire do you touch the nozzle of the torch to the metal then short it out?
twenglish1 2 years ago
The stun gun is actually a very good method. the starter coil is a spark, while the stun gun is a continuous DC arc. I have not been able to get the torch to light with the ignition coil. To start the torch with the mig wire, you insert it in the end, and touch it to the work, when the mig wire vaporizes, it creates an arc, which starts the torch. This is not a good idea though, it severally degrades the electrode and tip life.
Adamj12b 2 years ago
i haven't been able to ignite it with the stun gun, i just tried using a piece of very thin copper wire, it didn't work though, i will keep trying. what is the voltage between the electrode and work clamp on your setup?
twenglish1 2 years ago
You cant use copper wire. It will fuse to the electrode and destroy it. You have to use mig wire because it is steel. The open circuit voltage of the DC bus is 339VDC. This is coming from a 230VAC service.
Adamj12b 2 years ago
i don't have any mig wire but i might have something small enough that is steel. that might be my problem, i used a 120v service instead of 240v my open circuit voltage is about 170 volts
twenglish1 2 years ago
@twenglish1 check if you spark is enough strong for the plasma ignition. you need ionize the air passing through the torch before the plasma arch are ignited, and the way for air ionizing is a high voltage high frequency spark, there in internet i already found an oscillator circuit with an 555 oscillator and extremely well you can use any old tv flayback or an old car spark coil unit and is very cheap to buld
vambreace 1 year ago
@vambreace i was probably going to do that, but i never got around to it, i will post a video if i get it working
twenglish1 1 year ago
Can I cut a person in half with that?
jasoncroteau 2 years ago
Comment removed
jasoncroteau 2 years ago
That works great! Awesome! You seriously need to wear something on your eyes though, even if just a pair of sunglasses. Molten metal in the eye can put an end to a YouTube video very quickly..:)
vpoppv 2 years ago
Thanks!! I was surprised at how well it cut at 26A. I cant wait to get it mounted on its designated CNC gantry.
I know about the glasses. I really should have spent more time finding some. After seeing what it can really do, I will be going to get some before I do any more. Thanks for your concern though!!
Adamj12b 2 years ago