Portable Welder ..

[rusty_tlc]

I had a second alternator like that on my 40 for welding, but I sold the 40 a couple of years ago. It was OK, but really no better than a couple of batteries. It depends on how much welding you expect to do. If stuff is breaking all the time then you can justify the expense and effort. If not, carrying a hand full of welding rods and accessories is not bad for insurance in emergencies.

How do you carry the rods? Don't they need to be kept dry?

 

[Weber Sarge]

Rods should be kept in a waterproof, moisture-proof can . You can get them at nearly any welding supply and even most farm stores. Good heavy plastic cans with rubber sealing rings work the best .

I really like the Mobi system since it upgrades the stock alt and has a nice compact unit .
Any MUD discounts ?
Sarge

 

[Pin_Head]

How do you carry the rods? Don't they need to be kept dry?

I just put a rubber band around them and throw them in my parts box with all the other junk. 6011 and 6010 don't need any special storage, but you don't want to soak them in water either.

It is 7018 that needs to be stored sealed because it is a low hydrogen rod and it adsorbs water from the air. 7018 still runs OK if it has been stored unsealed, but it tends to have more porosity and it isn't a low hydrogen rod any more. 6011 isn't low hydrogen either. This is only an issue if you are doing structural welding on thick pieces.

6011 is a very versatile rod for emergencies on the trail. It will run on dirty, oily or painted metal and it is a fast freeze rod that runs in all positions and will fill gaps on parts with poor fit up. 6011 will stay lit with a low open circuit voltage (like 2 12V batteries) and run at lower amps than other rods of the same size.

Like all stick welding, the trick is maintaining a small and consistent 1/8 arc gap while maintaining the right travel speed. The rod gets shorter as you go along. It is best to practice a bit before you have to do it in the field. You watch the puddle trailing behind the arc and focus on what it is doing rather than watching the arc.

PS: The problem with battery welding is regulating the current. Batteries can put out more than 400A, which is 4X what 1/8 6011 will prefer. The only way to regulate it is to increase the resistance in the circuit by using cheap (thin) battery cables and increasing the circuit path by using the steel frame and or sheet metal in the ground path back to the batteries. When you start welding there will be a lot of splatter and the rod will get red hot, but it will calm down a bit after you burn a few rods. It isn't fun, but it will get you back to the trail head.