What inexpensive welder should I look for to run off a "dirty" generator?

[newbury]

I've got a Winco 12KW PTO generator, and the BIL has several 10KW military surplus generators. I'd like to look for a stick welder that would cost less than $200 and could run safely off what I consider slightly "dirty" power without frying the electronics. This would be for welding farm implements and things like the rails on my sawmill outside, far from the power lines.

Thanks

 

[Shield Arc]

Re: What inexpensive welder should I look for to run off a "dirty" generator?

Craigs list, garage sales, auctions are your friend. Buy an old transformer machine.

 

[aczlan]

Re: What inexpensive welder should I look for to run off a "dirty" generator?

I've got a Winco 12KW PTO generator, and the BIL has several 10KW military surplus generators. I'd like to look for a stick welder that would cost less than $200 and could run safely off what I consider slightly "dirty" power without frying the electronics. This would be for welding farm implements and things like the rails on my sawmill outside, far from the power lines.
Thanks

Might be worth checking with Winco for your particular model, but they advertise their current PTO generators as less than 5% THD (ie: clean power) and a milsurp genset (assuming a MEP-003 or MEP-803) will probably be almost as clean as the power from the grid.

Aaron Z

 

[newbury]

Re: What inexpensive welder should I look for to run off a "dirty" generator?

Craigs list, garage sales, auctions are your friend. Buy an old transformer machine.

Is that a Jinma chipper in the background? Is it awaiting welding?

 

[Shield Arc]

Re: What inexpensive welder should I look for to run off a "dirty" generator?

Actually there is no name brand on it. I bought it locally. But as time went by I learned if it's not a Jinma, it is very close to it.
No the chipper was just on the tractor still. Strange I even had the tractor in the shop:confused3:. Generally the only reason the tractor is in the shop is for oil changes, or using the bridge crane to hang the counterweight when I use the grapple.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

Re: What inexpensive welder should I look for to run off a "dirty" generator?

Craigs list, garage sales, auctions are your friend. Buy an old transformer machine.

+1 - since you have enough power, a used transformer welder should work fine.

Another option, my inverter stick welder, Miller Maxstar 150s, runs just fine on my crappy old Generac 5000/6250.
(got it used for about $225)

 

[Texasmark]

Re: What inexpensive welder should I look for to run off a "dirty" generator?

Miller AC-DC 130 I think is the number I have. 200 amp, runs off 230V and all transformer, no electronics other than rectifiers used on the DC function only. They are very tolerant as they use selenium rectifiers which tolerate abuse. Or on dirty power just use AC. You get twice the heat anyway for the same setting. Transformers can tolerate high frequency spikes (dirty power) which they convert to heat. It will run a little hotter but if your internal fan is working I wouldn't worry about it. Cost me less than $200 but that was a while ago.

Mark