Regarding sine wave versus square wave versus HF, the theory is that a square wave can substitute for continuous-fire HF. Either will help prevent arc extinction (or rectification , which is just extinction of the electrode-positive half-cycles.) Note that weld current flows through a conductive pat...

Good idea guys. I will pursue the review idea.

gordon

Thanks Steve. That was a good way to say it, HF ignition makes aluminum a little more practical with a 60-Hz transformer box. Personally I use it for stick welding, because low-power scratch starts make me swear in front of the kids. Of course, in a perfect world we only use a $3,000, 400-Hz square-...

Hi Steve... Yes, the Pig fires to ignite the arc (actually it fires in the low MHz.) After the arc is ignited (that is, while weld current is flowing) no HF igniter will do anything. The HF spark has paltry power (a few watts) so it is lost among the kilowatts already crossing the weld gap. But with...

Hi guys...

Disclosure: I designed the Arc Pig.

Just chiming in here to let you know it *does* do continuous fire.

Gordon Hanka