Need a Rectifier for HF 90a Wire Welder

[Kentucky Boy]

I'm going to mod my HF 90a welder. It's the brand new black one. Ive researched a lot on this. My question is will this rectifier be ok or do I need a higher amp one like 200amps? Single phase ok? Thanks.

 

[itsid]

get a 200Amp rectifier.

read this thread to see a 100Amp rect failing

'sid

 

[Kentucky Boy]

I can't find one with a heatsink.

 

[mckutzy]

You'll have to mount it to one...
Alot of time at scrapyards they'll have scrap aluminum heat sinks from all sorts of machines...
Sometimes a short piece of U channel will do..

 

[Kentucky Boy]

Cool. Thanks for the help guys. Now to track down the 100,000uf cap.

I ordered a 200amp rectifier and this capacitor.

 

[supermanotorious]

good luck!

 

[Rail rider]

Well, Its nice to see you rectified that situation...

 

[supermanotorious]

since this is our most recent conversation regarding rectifiers, I figgered I'd show you my latest conversion, decided to mount on the floor, more room to breath there, I did have to extend the wire going to to the torch but that was easy

I find it's easiest to remove the circuit board while you do this

 

[bob58o]

I just ordered a 150 amp 1600V three phase bridge diode rectifier. It was like $13 shipped.
I think when used for single phsase, it is more like a 100 amp, but I don't know for sure. Wish I read this thread before clicking buy it now.

I was about to spring for the 50v 100,000 uF Cap ($45 with shipping, IIRC), but was reading how some people say that an inductor would be better than a cap.

I suppose both would be best. People seem to be making their own inductor Coils.

Anybody ever try this conversion with an added inductor coil?

 

[anickode]

Never figured it was worth buying a $100 machine and throwing $100 in parts at it to still have a mediocre machine at best.

Not when $179 will get you a machine that's got twice the power, DC output, and is gas-ready out of the box. (HF mig 170) I sprung for a Harbor Freight mig 180 a while back, mostly to have an el-cheapo machine that I can throw in my truck, and to a lesser extent, compare it against my blue machines. I ended up adding a cap, and replacing the factory stinger with a 10 footer from HTP, but it's definitely worth the money. It's no millermatic, but it's light years ahead of the flux core buzz box in every aspect.

When doing inductors and capacitors, you must design everything correctly, as you can get some weird electronic results as a result of the inductance/capacitance interaction.

 

[Goat]

An Eastwood mig 135 is not much more money. Love mine so far.

 

[bob58o]

But I already have the 90 amp flux core. I probably won't get another machine for some time.
I already upgraded the grounding clamp and ordered the rectifier.

https://www.harborfreight.com/400-amp-welding-ground-clamp-66708.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150A-Amp-10...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

So forget about what I have spent already, and unless it costs $50 I'm not really interested in a different machine.

Do you think it will be worth it to spend $53 to add the capacitor?
I wasn't sure if you were saying the bigger machine with the capacitor was worth it, or if adding the capacitor to mine would be worth it.

50V 0.1F Capacitor ($44 shipped)
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&itemSeq=235238844&uq=636377441950861743

(10) 8 gauge gold plated Ring Terminals ($7 shipped) <-Going to need some anyway right?)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Gauge-Gol...099599?hash=item33c48ff04f:g:4eEAAOSwnHZYSxMX

2 ft 8 gauge stranded copper wire ($1.50)
HomeDepot ($0.59 / ft)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwir...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CO3R7pfoxtUCFcYcPwodINsFBw


I think I got it on sale for $90, so altogether I'd be right around $180.
I see what you mean about getting a better welder to begin with, but since that is no longer an option for me....


Should I buy the Capacitor?