My worksite currently does not have temp. electrical service yet and I need to use my welder for electricity for a while. The problem is that it puts out 110 volt DC current only. I can run my circ. saw just fine. But I have burned up tools (drills) in the past. It seems as though if the tool has just a plain switch it will run okay. But any kind of variable speed and it burns out the switch. I’ve never tried anything that has an elec. brake such as a chop saw. Anybody have any ideas? Thanks in advance!
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Replies
check the nameplate -- some tools will bother to tell you if DC is ok....it'll be on the name plate as 110AC, or 110AC/DC
If it's not on the plate, check the instructions. If you don't have the instructions, check the maufacturer's web site.
-- J.S.
Generally speaking these sort of power tools, with small brush type universal motors, used to be run on DC quite often on remote job sites and farms across the country. This was before variable speed drives, blade brakes and such. I think your right. The modern variable speed units, these work by manipulating the waveform that is not present in DC, are not compatible with straight DC.
I would not worry too much about any power tools without modern features, you might consider getting a few garage sale or basic units new, to get you by until you can arrange line power, but strictly avoid using DC on any tool with these features. Checking with the manufacturer is a good idea, many companies have 1-800 lines that will make this easier.