This is my version of a DIY spot welder controller. It is intended for use with a modified microwave oven transformer, but may suit other applications too. I have included the PCB Gerber files, BOM (build of materials) for electrical components and Arduino code.
The main goal of this project is to make a feature rich, low cost, controller for a spot welder. That can reproduce repeatable consistent welds as per the user requirements.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a mains powered project and requires modifying a microwave oven transformer for high current operation, attempt at your own risk.
To date the current features of this controller are;
- Single Pulse Welding
- Double Pulse Welding
- Load/Save Settings
- Temperature Controlled Cooling Fan
- OLED Display
- Welding Triggered Alert Tone
Gerber files for PCB manufacture can be found in the Gerber folder.
- Pick the newest revision/version
- Visit https://jlcpcb.com/
- Sign In or Register
- Click 'Order Now'
- Click 'Add Gerber File'
- Select the Gerber .zip file
- Select build options. (I recommend leave defaults, but change qty, colour and select 'Specify a location' under 'Remove Order Number' option. Also make sure both 'SMT Assembly' and 'Stencil' options are off as they are not needed for this.)
- Once your happy with your selection, place order and pay.
- Wait for PCB's to arrive.
Build of materials can be found the BOM folder. Most of the PCB components can be found in a .csv file, the rest you will need to source yourself from the .txt file. I would recommend places like Amazon, eBay and AliExpress.
- Find the .csv that matches the same revision as the Gerber file.
- Next visit https://lcsc.com/
- Sign In or Register
- Click on the 'BOM Tool' option.
- Now upload the .csv file.
- Set column with C##### numbers to LCSC Part Number.
- Click Next
- Adjust quantities to suit your needs. (Note some parts are optional and other have minimum order quantities)
- Once your happy with your selection, place order and pay.
- Wait for parts to arrive.
Now all you need to do is source the rest of the parts in the .txt file and your ready to start building.
While developing things like this are a passion and hobby for me. I ask that if you have found this educational, helpful or insiteful, maybe you could consider making a donation to the project. To help fund future development costs, mainly my time, coffee and supplies.
Cash donations can be made through my PayPal.Me link.
Crypto donations can be made to the following wallets;
Bitcoin (BTC): 1Kt78m7LPZkkfxyMx8rVcdJxBftZw937Sc
Monero (XMR): 4BAco3fES2cXfymfx7NVd62Z6EfgXNvaZg3tba8jWjvHR52cHDbmkiT5iEm3Kxq4XhbCeFEacCJzkBYtHpXwwGbJ2d7FWwr
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
