kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
i am looking at the cases and some questions pop up.
how does the fan cooling work for the kCap? i see a fan header but i dont see a mount for a fan.
i am also missing a STL for 3d printing the kCap case, the kWeld does have one.
can you design a case that will fit a 12cm fan and completly covers the capacitors you nothing can get near the caps?
doesnt the kWeld need any cooling? a small fan at the top or rear of the STL version of the case might help in the lifespan of the diode(s) and heavy usage.
the acrylic version has millions of holes but the STL is completly closed. a option for a rear mounted fan and a small grill in the front to get some airflow inside the case should help offset the lack of holes.
how does the fan cooling work for the kCap? i see a fan header but i dont see a mount for a fan.
i am also missing a STL for 3d printing the kCap case, the kWeld does have one.
can you design a case that will fit a 12cm fan and completly covers the capacitors you nothing can get near the caps?
doesnt the kWeld need any cooling? a small fan at the top or rear of the STL version of the case might help in the lifespan of the diode(s) and heavy usage.
the acrylic version has millions of holes but the STL is completly closed. a option for a rear mounted fan and a small grill in the front to get some airflow inside the case should help offset the lack of holes.
Lithium beats liquid dinosaurs.
Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
I finally made it! "kSupply" power supply module 0-12V 0-70A to charge the ultracapacitor modules are ordered and available in my shop for preorder. https://www.keenlab.de/index.php/product/ksupply/ 

Resistance is futile - We Are The Watt.
Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
You need four 50mm M4 standoffs and then you can do this:
I went away from 3D printing because print services for that were much more expensive than laser cutting services. But there is a community contribution. I've never put it online because I couldn't find the time to test it. If someone reports me that it works the I can do that.
I'm afraid but I don't know for the 3D case. The laser cut case doesn't need a fan, I could never bring the unit into overtemp protection.
I could supply the original Sketchup files, would you be interested in extending that to fit a fan?
Resistance is futile - We Are The Watt.
Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
sure, ill, help. might take a while for me to have actual time to do it proper but i'll tinker with it when i have free time.
if you have the original files i can see if i can make a better solution that does not include a fan that is just a magnet for stuff to drop into.
i got a massive 3d printer that can easely print these big things.
i will PM you my email adress to send them to.
if you have the original files i can see if i can make a better solution that does not include a fan that is just a magnet for stuff to drop into.
i got a massive 3d printer that can easely print these big things.
i will PM you my email adress to send them to.
Lithium beats liquid dinosaurs.
Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
I'm so pleased with my kweld!
I cannot believe the difference between this great device compared to my previous chinese spot welder
However, to weld 0.2mm nickel strips for a whole 50cells battery I've noticed the wires (battery and electrodes) get quite hot.
I was wondering what is the best way to cool down the wires.
Last time I leaved the electrodes on a frozen gel bag from time to time and swapping between both identical batteries I've got.
What's the best way to cool down the wires?
I cannot believe the difference between this great device compared to my previous chinese spot welder

However, to weld 0.2mm nickel strips for a whole 50cells battery I've noticed the wires (battery and electrodes) get quite hot.
I was wondering what is the best way to cool down the wires.
Last time I leaved the electrodes on a frozen gel bag from time to time and swapping between both identical batteries I've got.
What's the best way to cool down the wires?
Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
i am working on active watercooling for each of the leads. especially with .3 nickel or copper shit gets hot real fast.
if i get my kweld i will make the cooling to fit and print some handles that have the cooling built in. but it has to be fully isolated dual cooling setup otherwise you would get 2000 amps tru the watercooling, no bueno.
if i get my kweld i will make the cooling to fit and print some handles that have the cooling built in. but it has to be fully isolated dual cooling setup otherwise you would get 2000 amps tru the watercooling, no bueno.
Lithium beats liquid dinosaurs.
Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
I use to have a glass of water and stick them in that briefly. They cool down rapidly when doing this.
Resistance is futile - We Are The Watt.
Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
Has anyone welded 1.5mm nickel plated copper with the Kweld? If so ....what power rating do you use? And are you using the standard electrodes?
Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
1.5mm copper?
i havent.
but maybe ask these 2 guys. looks like they have the right tool for 1.5mm copper welds
i havent.
but maybe ask these 2 guys. looks like they have the right tool for 1.5mm copper welds

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Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
Do you by chance mean 0.15mm?
Resistance is futile - We Are The Watt.
Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
i see the power supply board on preorder.
would using a regular 500W-ish ATX PSU be a valid solution? i would really like to weld without having a plane take off on my workbench. would the PCB limit the current enough to prevent a OCP shutdown of a regular power supply?
would using a regular 500W-ish ATX PSU be a valid solution? i would really like to weld without having a plane take off on my workbench. would the PCB limit the current enough to prevent a OCP shutdown of a regular power supply?
Lithium beats liquid dinosaurs.
Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
Any capable 12V supply will work, and the kSupply current limit is adjustable via a small potentiometer. You can tune it such that the 12V supply doesn't run into overcurrent protection.
Resistance is futile - We Are The Watt.
Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
After nearly 6000 welds in the last two days, I can say I LOVE my kWeld!
I got about 1400 welds with one charge (Turnigy nano-tech 3s 5000mAh 65-130C), but perhaps I could get more because suddently the battery dropped 0.5V and I had to swap it by an identical battery.
At this moment I changed from manual mode (pedal) to auto, so my leg loves the auto mode!
Welding 0.15mm nickel strips does not generate that much heat (@15J), but I keep using my frozen gel bag to cool down the electrodes while I'm cutting the nickel strips.
Congrats to the kWeld maker!!
I got about 1400 welds with one charge (Turnigy nano-tech 3s 5000mAh 65-130C), but perhaps I could get more because suddently the battery dropped 0.5V and I had to swap it by an identical battery.
At this moment I changed from manual mode (pedal) to auto, so my leg loves the auto mode!

Welding 0.15mm nickel strips does not generate that much heat (@15J), but I keep using my frozen gel bag to cool down the electrodes while I'm cutting the nickel strips.
Congrats to the kWeld maker!!
Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
My mistake ....LOL ...I meant .15mm copper of course. So has anyone successfully welded .15mm copper with their Kweld?
Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
Resistance is futile - We Are The Watt.
Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
It should be possible. I have only 0.1 and 0.2mm. I made one battery with 0.1mm and it welds ok at 50j and my battery amps are 1500A. 0.2mm I have only tried for a few welds and I probably need battery current closer to 2000A to get good welds. I wanted to test 0.15mm but could not find it easily.
- ridethelightning 1 MW
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Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
this is good info. im going to modify a welder for copper welding. looks like i need to aim for 2000-3000amps to do any decent copper welding. btw did you use tungsten electrode tips? i have found that to be the key.ossivirt wrote: ↑May 24 2019 1:01pmIt should be possible. I have only 0.1 and 0.2mm. I made one battery with 0.1mm and it welds ok at 50j and my battery amps are 1500A. 0.2mm I have only tried for a few welds and I probably need battery current closer to 2000A to get good welds. I wanted to test 0.15mm but could not find it easily.
also, the highest possible energy in shortest possible time.
- spinningmagnets 100 GW
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Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
ride the lightning, I don't know if carbon tips would work, but I have some for experiments. PM me your address and I'll send you a couple.
- ridethelightning 1 MW
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Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
Thanks spinningmagnets,pm sent.
the other thing i will test is doing the spotwelding in an open topped tub, filled with argon.
as iv seen mentioned before, and can verify from experience is that after a while the tungsten tips get brittle and bits bust off and stick to the weld. this is due to oxidation, as the tips get cherry red every time you make a weld(thats how the copper fuses)
not a big issue but id like to fix it if pos.
argon is a heavy gas from memory, so as long as i dont stir up the gas, it should sit in the tub, over the cells.....reminds me of the 1st alien movie with the eggs sitting there
the other thing i will test is doing the spotwelding in an open topped tub, filled with argon.
as iv seen mentioned before, and can verify from experience is that after a while the tungsten tips get brittle and bits bust off and stick to the weld. this is due to oxidation, as the tips get cherry red every time you make a weld(thats how the copper fuses)
not a big issue but id like to fix it if pos.
argon is a heavy gas from memory, so as long as i dont stir up the gas, it should sit in the tub, over the cells.....reminds me of the 1st alien movie with the eggs sitting there

Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
Just make sure you don't suffocate, do it in a well ventilated area 

- ridethelightning 1 MW
- Posts: 1912
- Joined: Jul 21 2013 9:48pm
Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
yep, got that 

Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
Just original electrodes.ridethelightning wrote: ↑May 24 2019 6:59pmthis is good info. im going to modify a welder for copper welding. looks like i need to aim for 2000-3000amps to do any decent copper welding. btw did you use tungsten electrode tips? i have found that to be the key.ossivirt wrote: ↑May 24 2019 1:01pmIt should be possible. I have only 0.1 and 0.2mm. I made one battery with 0.1mm and it welds ok at 50j and my battery amps are 1500A. 0.2mm I have only tried for a few welds and I probably need battery current closer to 2000A to get good welds. I wanted to test 0.15mm but could not find it easily.
also, the highest possible energy in shortest possible time.
- Compoundbike 10 W
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Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
how good are the welds compared to sunkko ? sorry for the dumb question.. but im tired of my sukko which delivers self releasing welds.
so im thinking about a k-Weld.



Re: kWeld - "Next level" DIY battery spot welder
How to best describe the differenceCompoundbike wrote: ↑May 26 2019 3:33pmhow good are the welds compared to sunkko ? sorry for the dumb question.. but im tired of my sukko which delivers self releasing welds.![]()
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so im thinking about a k-Weld.

I did multiple welds to 0.15mm nickel with sunko and prayed afterwards that even one of then would hold. With kweld every single one is constantly strong and I need pliers to rip off the nickel and it tears of around the weld points leaving the welds and rest of the nickel still attached to the cell.
I have the cheapest possible sunko welder so I had it at maximum settings and kweld beats it even at very low energy levels. (10j)