generator power

[bumneez]

not sure which everlast welder i want to get....

power mig 140se

power mig 200

power arc 200st

it will be ran off a generator , so what size { watt } generator & does it need to have certain features or can

i just use any unit that has enough wattage. ??

thanks

 

[RNeumann]

Be aware- a lot of gen specs list amps at 120v. Obviously that won’t get you where you want to be with regards to 240v welders.

You sounded like you were focused on watts. But for those that don’t know the relationship between the three amps alone can be deceiving.

Not sure what these welders need.....someone on here will know

 

[4570Man]

Be aware- a lot of gen specs list amps at 120v. Obviously that won’t get you where you want to be with regards to 240v welders.

You sounded like you were focused on watts. But for those that don’t know the relationship between the three amps alone can be deceiving.

Not sure what these welders need.....someone on here will know

So the generator makes half as many amps at 220 essentially making the power output on 110 and 220 the same?

 

[ctrider]

Well the 140 is 120v machine and if looks like ~20a @120v with max inrush of 38a. So this unit would run on a 5-6000w generator (Volts x amps) Power i-MIG 14E - MIG Welders | Everlast Generators

The other 2 are around 22-25a @ 220v so similar in wattage. MIG Welder, Power i-MIG 2 - Everlast Generators

I would be more concerned with the generator. These are all inverter design machines and require 'clean' power. Generators are great, but usually provide 'dirty' power and can cause fluctuations in voltage and frequency. Digital electronics don't like that. There are newer generators that have inverter technology too.

 

[RNeumann]

So the generator makes half as many amps at 220 essentially making the power output on 110 and 220 the same?

Watts=amps x volts

So yes, amps is cut in half if the voltage is doubled.
So a gen may be rated at “30amps” but that would only be 15amps at 240v. With 240v welders the amp rating is typically rated at 240v.

 

[CobyRupert]

Watts=amps x volts

So yes, amps is cut in half if the voltage is doubled.
So a gen may be rated at ?0amps but that would only be 15amps at 240v. With 240v welders the amp rating is typically rated at 240v.

Yes, what you say is true, but it's important to know what is the limiting factor, the current the windings can handle, or the power of the genny's motor?

That is: The way you stated it above says the generator's (motor) can only put out 3600 Watts ( (1)-120V x 30 amps, or 240V x 15 amps; but not more (example (2)-120V x 30amp circuits (7200 Watts)) because the motor would stall, not because the generator's (30 amp) windings couldn't handle it.

Conversely, if the 3600 Watt generator windings are limited to 15 amps at 240V, you can't get 30 amps out of it just because you're taking it at 120V, because the windings would fail (or more likely the overcurrent protection would trip) even though its putting out 3600 Watts in both cases.

Typically you see gennys rated something like this: 7000 Watts (58.3/29.1 A) 120/240V
I'm sure this is nothing you don't already know...

 

[woodlandfarms]

3 things (IMO)

Get a big a generator as you can afford. It will come in handy if you do not own another. Home power outages, parties in the field. I believe the type of genny plays into how well you welder will behave. I strongly strongly recommend calling Mark and asking him. He will know.

Second, What kind of welding are your plans? This will help define what machine you should get.

Finally, I would not consider the 140. Not that it is bad, it isn't just your are consider 2-200 amp welders. Power is usually the happiest long term decision.

The difference between Mig and Stick is (For me) is one you can do precise work better with, and one you can work better in a dirtier environement with. This goes back to the second question. Also, the 200ST burns hot (meaning it acts like a 300AMP welder) I have not worked with the mig so I cannot say. The downside of running hot is that if you are doing delicate work it will not happen iwth the 200ST. But if you are putting together half inch steel you might be pleasantly surprised.

So if all you are doing is field work, and its not delicate, I probably would save the money and get the 200ST. If you, like pretty much everyone else, falls for welding, you will want the mig. Now you can TIG with the 200ST which is another more delicate and broader metal working setup. But you can do aluminum with the MIg. (what you should be reading is buy both, the 200ST is like 300 or 400 and your wife will never know, tell her it is just a part of the setup, a balancer between the generator and the mig welder).