Leeleeducati
100 W
Thought I’d share the build experience and that’s it, don’t try it if you don’t understand electrical or MOT safety.
So after my struggles with my first purchased spotwelder I opted to build my own with some readily available super easy to source components. There’s some awesome options on ES but around $200USD and you still need LiPo’s or Leadacid batts. I wanted something line voltage easy.
And yes for about $40-50USD a direct 120V (or 220V) line current powered spot welder can be had. And it works extremely well and adjustable on the LG HG2 18650’s I’m using for my newest Tangent build. The nickle strip rips before the welds let go when you're test pulling off the tabs.
There’s really only a few main components and they all just connect easily together with only a few wires;
* Circuit $25
* MOT $scrap $
* AC transformer (AC, I repeat AC… did I say AC? Yes AC! $5 (120VAC to 9-12VAC) just search eBay. $5. Someone can explain more but DC won't work, don't use DC the circuit reads the AC to know when to chop it.
* Box (optional as you can stuff this stuff inside one of your mom’s Tupperware boxes) got mine off ebay $15.
* I used #4 welding cable $10 PrincessAuto or Harbor Freight for my neighbors.
* Foot pedal – again ebay $5
* All other misc. items from Ebay; 3x100mm copper rod, sharpened on both ends and pushed into the wire (no clamps needed). IC320 C14 receptacle, standard cable. Misc. bolts etc. total maybe $8
Circuit; This is the one I used, based on your MOT, you might need a different one. Some dude did the review on Youtube.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/smd-fuse-5A-0402/32810563725.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.sv0GvX
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo7Up8RRn7o
(With 220V just the AC transformer needs to be 220AC to 9-12AC and the correct cord ends. The circuit I listed above is actually a 220V, I’m just using it with 120V.)
So after my struggles with my first purchased spotwelder I opted to build my own with some readily available super easy to source components. There’s some awesome options on ES but around $200USD and you still need LiPo’s or Leadacid batts. I wanted something line voltage easy.
And yes for about $40-50USD a direct 120V (or 220V) line current powered spot welder can be had. And it works extremely well and adjustable on the LG HG2 18650’s I’m using for my newest Tangent build. The nickle strip rips before the welds let go when you're test pulling off the tabs.
There’s really only a few main components and they all just connect easily together with only a few wires;
* Circuit $25
* MOT $scrap $
* AC transformer (AC, I repeat AC… did I say AC? Yes AC! $5 (120VAC to 9-12VAC) just search eBay. $5. Someone can explain more but DC won't work, don't use DC the circuit reads the AC to know when to chop it.
* Box (optional as you can stuff this stuff inside one of your mom’s Tupperware boxes) got mine off ebay $15.
* I used #4 welding cable $10 PrincessAuto or Harbor Freight for my neighbors.
* Foot pedal – again ebay $5
* All other misc. items from Ebay; 3x100mm copper rod, sharpened on both ends and pushed into the wire (no clamps needed). IC320 C14 receptacle, standard cable. Misc. bolts etc. total maybe $8
Circuit; This is the one I used, based on your MOT, you might need a different one. Some dude did the review on Youtube.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/smd-fuse-5A-0402/32810563725.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.sv0GvX
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo7Up8RRn7o
(With 220V just the AC transformer needs to be 220AC to 9-12AC and the correct cord ends. The circuit I listed above is actually a 220V, I’m just using it with 120V.)
