BFRieck
New User
- Location
- Austin, TX USA
I have a engine driven welder with a 40 volt dc generator that puts out about 200 amps. Engine is four cylinder of 162 cu in and 6/1 compression. Engine is crank start with no provision for a starter. Hand crank is not particularly hard to turn but I get tired easily! So, I start the engine by motorizing the generator with two 12v car batteries wired in series to produce 24 volts. Batteries are hooked to the generator via the welding leads. One 12v car battery didn't work and I didn't try three (36 volts) because I didn't need to. Now I'd like to optimize the starting system.
If I can motorize the generator with 24 volts, would I be able to use smaller batteries, maybe motorcyle batteries, if I used three instead of two. Likewise, if less volts than the generator is rated for, would it hurt to use more, like 48 and even smaller batteries?
BTW, I set the welder controls to minimum output when starting - don't really know if that's necessary but someone told me it works better that way and I didn't try anything else.
If I can motorize the generator with 24 volts, would I be able to use smaller batteries, maybe motorcyle batteries, if I used three instead of two. Likewise, if less volts than the generator is rated for, would it hurt to use more, like 48 and even smaller batteries?
BTW, I set the welder controls to minimum output when starting - don't really know if that's necessary but someone told me it works better that way and I didn't try anything else.
