Not sure if this is far off topic?? Does anyone use a spot welder? I am wanting to step into rebuilding some tool battery packs and some mention soldering but the best way is spot welding. I seen a tube video, but the guy had a cheap one, he did not list what kind, but he had to zap it 6 times or more to get it to stick.
Anyone use one? or any other advice. I was told to buy good batteries, not laptop recycled. They do not hold up to heavy current drains.
Subscribing. I’ve done a…bit…of research.
Seems they kind of come in 2 flavors:
I’m in that in between category. Require it seldom enough to want cheap, and not enough to go for expensive. So far I solder. I’ve gotten decent at it, I think. Mostly the packs seem to hold up, but I think I killed one high output Molicel/NPE INR-21700-P42A 45A 4200mAh. At least one cell in the pack died, leaving the others 'apparently OK.
Cheap, with reasonable reliability for occasional use would be good.
I am good with soldering… So there is that…
I am in the middle with you…
Not sure on #2 Expensive with predictable results. I probably will not use it a lot, and I probably don’t need more toys… Everyone has different ideas what expensive is. I do have a nice TIG welder that might be able to be modified. But… It might be better to have a stand alone unit.
Back in the Nicad days, I used to solder wires, but sometimes that add a little extra length and then it is tight to fit back in the case.
BTW get on the bay and there are a bunch of them. I don’t think I want a battery operated one, unless it is quite high quality. (Milwaukee???)
I have two different ones. Sunkko 738AL uses 220v electricity – works really well , but a pain to hook up $350
I have another one I bought at battery hookup – It uses 2 Super Capacitors with a 12v power supply – works really good and is convenient to use $90 ( haven’t seen them for sale in a while
One think you need to know – what type of strips you’ll be welding
Nickel over steel .15 most any welder will work ( corrosive limited current capability)
Solid Nickel .15 harder to weld ( works well up to 3-5 amps per cell )
Solid Nickel .2 hardest to weld ( works great up to 8-10 amps per cell)
both of my machines weld .2 but you have to go slower and let cables cool off
I use plenty Repurposed Brand Name cells ( Samsung,Sony “The Best”, Panasonic )
I’ve learned plenty over the last several years ( test cells Capacity, Resistance, ETC ) It has helped me build better packs that last and stay in balance. Also use good brand name BMS boards
This pack is a 5S4P made with Model3 Tesla cells – It’s for a neighbors Power Wheel Jeep
