Big honkin diode

[Ultradog MN]

I mentioned a few weeks ago that the DC side of my old buzz box welder was kaput and I couldn't use it.
So my friend and electric guru Steve stopped by and tested the diodes.
One was bad.
He told me what to look for and I got one on ebay.
It came late this afternoon and I saw the truck come so I instantly took it to the garage and installed it.
The welder works again on both sides.
Yea!
While I was waiting for the diode to come I also replaced the little cooling fans.
They sounded like a B-25 with both engines about to conk out.
I missed getting to weld up the fork mast on my friend's loader cause the DC quit but will now have the opportunity to weld the cast iron base on a drill press with kind of a fancy rod.
Label says you can run it either ac or dcep so I will experiment with it.
I'm looking forward to that.

 

[t1]

We use diodes like that, and larger on SCR controls of older forklifts for the forward and reverse travel functions on electric powered forklifts. Replaced many over the years.

 

[Russ from MN]

I started welding with my dad's Century welder when I was 10-12 years old, about 1962? It was a good machine, but we sold it at the auction after he passed in 93, as I had bought my Airco, it's a good old machine too.

 

[sotxbill]

In the late 60s and early 70s, those were known as submarine diodes and were highly sought after..iirc they cost around $295 back then, if your were lucky enough to find some surplus. My wages back then was $1.65 an hour at a union company.