Uploaded December 2016 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
It always annoyed me that the good old 3-phase MIG welder suffers from a massive derating with single phase supply. It was ok for sheet metal, but anithing thicker was almost impossible.
A static phase converter (like a Transwave) is not an option as these won't work well with a welder, so we needed a better solution.
From an electrical point, a 3-phase transformer is quite similar to an electric motor, therefore we simply use a VFD to generate the coreect 3-phase supply for the welder. and it performs as it used to do on 3-phase supply.
It needed a bit of tweaking with the VFD parameters as the load pattern of a transformer based welder is significantly different to a motor, but at the end it worked exactly as predicted.
Before testing it, i took the chinese Huanyang 3kW VFD apart to see what the compnent ratings are (link to that video furthr down) , it looked ok, so we gave it a go.
This parts shows test fit, some welding before and after tweaking the VFD, also explains the circuitry and some theory about transformer based welders in general.
Next part will be final installation and some finer details about the VFD parameters and the advantages of having the option to playi with the output frequency (in conjunction with a welder)
Huanyng VFD tear down is here youtu.be/9wJI33NhdhU
(c) 2016
dynoguy.co.uk
Please note:
Electriciy is dangerous and can kill, make sure you have appropriate qualification to work with mains electricity.
This footage is for entertainment only and by no means an instructional. It also may show unsafe/dangerous practice.
It always annoyed me that the good old 3-phase MIG welder suffers from a massive derating with single phase supply. It was ok for sheet metal, but anithing thicker was almost impossible.
A static phase converter (like a Transwave) is not an option as these won't work well with a welder, so we needed a better solution.
From an electrical point, a 3-phase transformer is quite similar to an electric motor, therefore we simply use a VFD to generate the coreect 3-phase supply for the welder. and it performs as it used to do on 3-phase supply.
It needed a bit of tweaking with the VFD parameters as the load pattern of a transformer based welder is significantly different to a motor, but at the end it worked exactly as predicted.
Before testing it, i took the chinese Huanyang 3kW VFD apart to see what the compnent ratings are (link to that video furthr down) , it looked ok, so we gave it a go.
This parts shows test fit, some welding before and after tweaking the VFD, also explains the circuitry and some theory about transformer based welders in general.
Next part will be final installation and some finer details about the VFD parameters and the advantages of having the option to playi with the output frequency (in conjunction with a welder)
Huanyng VFD tear down is here youtu.be/9wJI33NhdhU
(c) 2016
dynoguy.co.uk
Please note:
Electriciy is dangerous and can kill, make sure you have appropriate qualification to work with mains electricity.
This footage is for entertainment only and by no means an instructional. It also may show unsafe/dangerous practice.
