Resistance-No Resistance wire welder

[dsy5]

Edit: Removed - voltage not high enough to produce consistent welds; need at least 12V to get a decent joint. A boost regulator is needed at 3.7V or 7.2V.

Check out the other guys' camera mods.

 

[gsa]

Well my LM2577 board was a dud, output voltage would not adjust.

 

[dsy5]

Removed...

 

[gsa]

So after my LM2577 board was a dud, I went to the local CVS and asked the film department if they had any spent cameras with a flash, sure enough they had a big recycle bucket and gave me one for $0 (ok, I bought a coke too).

Removed the board from camera along and pulled any non essential components off the pcb. Added the two black leads for momentary switch. Added red and black leads from capacitor that attach to #8-32 bolts. Hot glue into box, attach the leads and switch to top of box. End result came out pretty good, with the bolt studs I have more than enough room to put my welding alligator clips plus leads or clips from my dmm. The little bits of plastic tubing on the ends are just to prevent my wife from shocking herself accidentally and throwing my project in the trash By pulsing the switch you can actually control the voltage charge pretty easily. I was targeting 165v when I took the picture here. I found that I could pretty consistently come within +/-10v of targeted voltage. FWIW, 165v seems perfect for welding 32g nickel to 32g kanthal.

 

[gsa]

 

[gsa]

Thanks mre777 and breaktru!

 

[TBinAZ]

Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about. Nice gsa. Especially the CVS part. Just so happens that I'm heading over there in a little while for some Everclear to clean me attys.

 

[dsy5]

Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about. Nice gsa. Especially the CVS part. Just so happens that I'm heading over there in a little while for some Everclear to clean me attys.

Wow TB, they sell Everclear in AZ at CVS? Here in NY, you can't even buy any in the whole state!

 

[UA72Riddle]

Damn....I didn't think about looking for a used up disposable!! Great thinking!

But, I did have my wife pick one up while grocery shopping, so I will be building this tonight. I don't have a box, so I will just drill holes and run leads out of the side of the camera for now. I also don't have extra alligator clips, so I will just borrow he clips from my "helping hands" and clip the wire and leads together.

I can do all of the soldering, so it shouldn't be a problem. Is there anything I should do differently since I will be using the camera as a housing?? Just to make sure I have the right idea...

1: The camera should have a charging button already (like with the taser video)...so I can bypass that for now, right?

2: Solder leads to the cap...(will temporarily run them outside of the camera box....like the taser vid also)

3: remove the flash

Shouldn't that be enough to get by with for now??

 

[TBinAZ]

Wow TB, they sell Everclear in AZ at CVS? Here in NY, you can't even buy any in the whole state!

Probably for good reason... LOL. Yepper, you can get it at drug stores and grocery stores around here. Actually, just got back. $14 a bottle. PLUS, they handed me 4 spent flash cameras FOC. Ya gotta love it. Thanks for the idea, gsa.

 

[breaktru]

Wow TB, they sell Everclear in AZ at CVS? Here in NY, you can't even buy any in the whole state!

I get my EverClear right over the bridge in NJ. 6 min from NY

 

[TBinAZ]

I get my EverClear right over the bridge in NJ. 6 min from NY

Wouldn't that be considered smuggling? kidding kidding.

 

[TBinAZ]

All four of these things charge the cap just fine. Need to run to RadioShack real quick. That too, is conveniently only 5 mins away. I'll fall on the floor if I can get this stuff to work like I hope. Me not an electrical expert, but this is just too easy.

Thanks loads guys, all who have contributed. Much appreciated.

 

[cyclotron]

I get my EverClear right over the bridge in NJ. 6 min from NY

I get mine back around Franklin County VA but they don't call it "EverClear".

 

[gsa]

Damn....I didn't think about looking for a used up disposable!! Great thinking!

But, I did have my wife pick one up while grocery shopping, so I will be building this tonight. I don't have a box, so I will just drill holes and run leads out of the side of the camera for now. I also don't have extra alligator clips, so I will just borrow he clips from my "helping hands" and clip the wire and leads together.

I can do all of the soldering, so it shouldn't be a problem. Is there anything I should do differently since I will be using the camera as a housing?? Just to make sure I have the right idea...

1: The camera should have a charging button already (like with the taser video)...so I can bypass that for now, right?

2: Solder leads to the cap...(will temporarily run them outside of the camera box....like the taser vid also)

3: remove the flash

Shouldn't that be enough to get by with for now??

All you really need to do is be careful opening the camera up if you want to keep the flash charge button in tact. Other than that, it really is as simple as that.

 

[gsa]

I get mine back around Franklin County VA but they don't call it "EverClear".

haha, same here in Winchester and it comes with a convenient wide mouth jar.

 

[breaktru]

haha, same here in Winchester and it comes with a convenient wide mouth jar.

Gotta make another EverClear run..........

 

[dsy5]

I get my EverClear right over the bridge in NJ. 6 min from NY

I'm near Buffalo; I don't think that they sell it in Canada either. I had a guy at work pick me up a half gallon when he went to Alabama this past summer.

 

[BJ43]

Went thru a drawer full of old camera gear and came up with 5 old Nikon flashes. Most with damage from leaking batteries. Going to take them apart and see if they will take a charge. Have one with adjustable flash strength, may be an instant welder...

 

[gsa]

Gotta make another EverClear run..........

I thought you said you took the bridge?