i read either on this thread or the other one that u run straight polarity if welding anything not ur truck and reverse it if u was workin on ur truck...
Reverse polarity stinger = (+) is the only way to weld on your own truck. Either way for other trucks, or if you move your work off the truck. Since my vise mounts to my front upper hitch receiver, I'll be using DCRP most of the time. DCSP is really good for fast fill, but penetration suffers.
You're never going to use it if you don't at least keep it mounted to the engine.
Naw, takes about 1.5 minutes to mount it up. Without the hood, I could leave it mounted for just about anything but a jump. (airborne jeep)
yep,need to keep it ready to go.Trust me,it will get used more than you think.
I have mine solid mounted on what was the deck for the battery box to sit on.I wrap the leads around it and keep a plastic battery box over it as a cover.
Two bolts, & the excite wire & I'm in business.
I would definately try to keep it mounted, then if you make a little box to house a switch to excite the field wire, your rheostat, and you could put a 110 outlet with a voltmeter so you can dial up 110 and run a drill, grinder, light, as long as it's brushed, it'll run it.
I'm only gonna do that when I can afford the stuff from Napa,
that is basically an inverter that runs of the weld-alt.
Is there a list of vehicles somewhere that tells which models or engines have the alternators you would need? I've wanted to do this mod in my truck for years but I can never really understand which one to get. I've always heard you need the external regulated kind andnow I see this
Dixie mod that changes that.
edit: I thought I remembered an old alternator in my shop and sure enough it was one of the those Delco Remy kind. I modded it and it's ready for use. I checked the amps too......... 55
I'll use it as a template and go ahead and install brackets and whatnot. Then I'll get a more powerful one. Dumb question... if it's stamped 55A will it do more than that or is that "at idle"?
I know you dude ! Your the guy who has a somewhat rumpled "General Lee" cheokee.
Hope that didn't hurt too bad!
Any large frame Ford alt that's pre-1984, should do it. You should try to get the 100+ amps deal though.
I have a Delco-Remy CS144 as my vehicle alt. Got it from a junkyard Cadillac. It's 140 amps, & would make a nice welder. You do have to do the internal changes to remove the regulator.
The big Ford alt I mentioned is pretty much ready to use as is.
To answer your question about the 55 amp alt, it will run 1/16" wire from what I hear.
I ended up buying a 60 amp Ford alt from the junkyard by accident, & am thinking about putting it in the minivan just for kicks.
I got the belt tonight to go with the larger crank pulley. I still need one size tighter belt though. this one is workable, but slips a little under full load.
I got one junkyard tube door together tonight, before the rain came at sunset.
Works well with the bigger pulley & may not need a dimmer, to control the excite field input. I was welding with 1/8" E-7018, @ 1500 rpms. I could go up or down the engine speed to use other diameter wire.
Glad to see it was worth the effort, time , & $$$.
I'm psyched up about the whole deal, & will get the OBA up & running right after the tube doors are ready.
:Rockon:
