Welder Air Filter
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2015 11:59 pm
This is about adding a air filter and booster fan to an electronic welder. Having worked in machine controls for the better part of 40 years I know that electronics likes to be kept clean,
You can not just add a filter over the welders air intake as this would reduce the air flow and reduce the welders duty cycle.
I used a sheet of clear plastic as an air flow indicator. The top edge was duct taped above the air outlet slots and duct tape was added to the bottom edge of the "flapper" to get it to rise 20 - 30 degrees. Then a measurement was taken to the bottom edge of the flapper to the welder face,
The fan I added is 6" in diameter and rated at 200 CFM. The first filter I tried was too restrictive and the flapper did not get back to the "stock" lift distance. K&N saved my a$$ for only $50! I found it difficult to find an air filter by size and again K&N provided the numbers. The largest filter I could fit was the K&N E-3480. It measures 7.5" OD x 6.38" ID and is 5.5" tall.
This filter provided about 1/4" more flapper lift than without a filter.
Probably the reason the factories don't do this is a clogged filter would cause the welder to overheat, It is very important to keep the filter clean. K&N claims 50,000 miles on a car but they don't talk about the flow decrease at that point.
Pictures:
You can not just add a filter over the welders air intake as this would reduce the air flow and reduce the welders duty cycle.
I used a sheet of clear plastic as an air flow indicator. The top edge was duct taped above the air outlet slots and duct tape was added to the bottom edge of the "flapper" to get it to rise 20 - 30 degrees. Then a measurement was taken to the bottom edge of the flapper to the welder face,
The fan I added is 6" in diameter and rated at 200 CFM. The first filter I tried was too restrictive and the flapper did not get back to the "stock" lift distance. K&N saved my a$$ for only $50! I found it difficult to find an air filter by size and again K&N provided the numbers. The largest filter I could fit was the K&N E-3480. It measures 7.5" OD x 6.38" ID and is 5.5" tall.
This filter provided about 1/4" more flapper lift than without a filter.
Probably the reason the factories don't do this is a clogged filter would cause the welder to overheat, It is very important to keep the filter clean. K&N claims 50,000 miles on a car but they don't talk about the flow decrease at that point.
Pictures: