I need a welder....

[AL_Josh]

that I can hook up to my generator. I have a Troybilt 5500. Is it possible to use my generator to power a welder with out any damage to the generator or welder? I bought the generator for hurricane Katrina but when I got home my power was back on. Of course if I had not bought the generator it would of stayed off for two weeks.

I would like to get some use out of it. So I was thinking of buying a welder. I have access to a welder at my parents house but I would like to have use of one at my house. I have projects I would like to work on.I do not want to run power from the house that is why I am asking about the generator. I think It would also be good for the generator to get some use rather than just sitting there in my shed.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advanced for the guidance.

TBN is like have a father that has done it all.

 

[Soundguy]

Wel.. that 5500 limits you to about 25a at 220v... Most of the big 'stick' welders are gonna want 50a.

25ais only going to let you run mid sized migs and sticks, and small-mid sized plasma cutters.

Lots of the big stick/genny combo's are 10kw and up.

What you welding? How often? In what conditions?

These will all make the difference in what type of welder to get ( flux wire, stick, mig ).. size / gauge of metal will be basic determination of amperage.. and conditions will also help determine type of welder and amperage.

For instance.. if you wanted to do alot of indoor sheet metal welding.. a small mig would be fine.. or at least, a flux job .

If you needed to weld 1/2" rusty plates to a painted steel frame out in the wind.. then you need a big honkin 'tombstone' stick buzzbox...

Your answers will determine the size of welder you can run on the genny.. or if you need to bury some cable /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Soundguy

 

[AL_Josh]

I am more of the welding on rusty pipe and rusty angle iron. Like I said I was just looking for something to use at home. I guess I will have to do my projects at my parents. They have a big Miller stick welder. My grandfather used to run a machine shop before he passed.

I wanted to build me another utility trailer and just be able to weld something when I needed to. It is a hassle to drag all my materials down to thier shop. I do not need one often.

Thanks for the info.

 

[cmhyland]

Al,
I run my Lincoln 135 mig on a 5000 watt gen... using the 20 side of the 220 plug.... Sounds funny but thats how you get 20 amps.

you can weld 5/16 with flux core wire with that unit...

The metal doesn't have to be perfectly clean but it helps...

Regards,
Chris

 

[caylor]

Josh,

Look up a member named "Highbeam" he uses his Coleman 5.5 KW generator to run his Lincoln Tombstone stick welder, without a problem. Based on information he gave me I ran my Lincoln stick welder off the a 5.5 KW generator 20A 220V plug with no problem.

 

[HomeBrew2]

Your genny should be plenty for all but welding big stuff ... 100 amps or so is good for a lot of work with a stick. If you find you need more power once in a while, then you can take it to your folks, or grind the steel bare or run multiple passes.
Cheers!

 

[AL_Josh]

I also need some suggestions for a welder that would not break the bank and work with the above mentoned limitations.

Is the a type that would be less demanding of the generator? I mean either stick or wire feed?
Also I do not need to spend a ton on this but, I want something that will last. I know you get what you pay for. My situation is I get something reasonable or I get nothing at all right now. This is a want not a necessity and my wife know that. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks again!

 

[Highbeam]

That's me. You will have no problem running the standard AC 225 stickwelder tombstone machine made by Lincoln and available at Home Depot. 225 amps at 25 volts (standard welding voltage) is 5625 watts which just exceeds the 5500 "rated" watts you have. Despite this, I have run at the 225 setting for torching or other short term big stuff and the generator kept things running fine.

Most welding with AC stick on 1/8" to 1/4" is going to be done with 70 -135 amps. That is easily within the capabilities of the 5500 watt genset.

I put a big long cord on the tombstone and leave the generator humming along in the back of my pickup. I use the setup for projects on rusty, greasy, painted, and galvanized metal in the field. They aren't always pretty, but they are solid welds.

Check out the photo for the welder and notice the setting of the amp range dial. That's 225 baby. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif In this photo I'm at my remote 15 acre property with no power.

If you want to stick weld with DC current, then the 5.5KW won't do it. DC takes more power but the welders that operate with DC are often switchable to AC. I think that is why the big welder/generator combos are 10,000 watt powerplants. Also, they are a professional unit and the reserve capacity adds to a long life.

Oh, and I have also used the 5.5KW generator to run a 5HP/20 gallon air compressor along with a 220 volt plasma cutter simultaneously in the field at the same site. It was only 1/8" thick metal though but worked like a charm.

I made an adapter to go from the standard welder plug style to the standard generator twistlok connection. You will need that too.

 

[AL_Josh]

Is this the welder you are talking about?

Lincoln Welder

 

[Highbeam]

The link didn't work right, take a look at that picture I posted. There is only one tombstone. The only option I've seen for the tombstone from Lincoln is the DC capability which I wish I had for out of position welding. As I recall it was only 250$ or so for a new AC225. They have been made for a long time and are often available at pawn shops and auctions.