NEC Codes/ Generator Hookup

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I also was looking at the larger Miller Big Blue units. They are powered by either an air cooled Deutz diesel or a water cooled Perkins that run at 1800 RPM. Miller advertises them as going 10,000 hours before needing an overhaul )</font>

At work we are replacing one of those miller welder generators. an older one from 1978... it had a water cooled perkins.. it provided 26 years of use with no problems. What finally got it was the water pump went out on it as it was being used as a generator during this past hurricane season, by one of our employees, who did not notice the water coming out of it.. One of the pistons ate into the liner a tad. It still ran, but poorly.. We tore it down but found the perkins rebuild kit costs the same as an economy pasanger car... so it is now in the shop covered up with a tarp.. we can go buy a hobart 10kw genny/welder for about half the price to repair the old miller... go figure..

Soundguy

 

[RonL]

Dan

They are expensive. Much as is a Kubota compared to a Sears lawn tractor. There are welder/generators powered by air cooled engines that are much cheaper. If they provide enough power and welding options and their life span fits your usage pattern they may be a better option. In the long run I figure the water cooled diesels are more economical IF you plan to get a lot of use out of them.

RonL

 

[v8dave]

I thought it would be useful to have an aircooled power plant for a generator set. Then I heard one running in a concrete pumper here at home on my shop project. That cured me from thinking I could run one of those in the middle of the night. Even though my neighbors are several hundred feet away, I'm sure they'd hear it. No less us inside the house.

I looked at some prices and the Deutz Air Cooled units are more expensive than a lot of other engines. But, they have an exclusive niche market. Construction equipment mfrs like them because they will sit out in subzero temps and not crack the block when the coolant freezes. Construction equipment takes a lot of abuse in maintenance.

 

[dmccarty]

Ron,

I was looking at a Lincoln 350D, maybe a Ranger?, it put out 10,000 watts and was a diesel. Seems like I saw a price for 7,000-8,000 dollars at some website. The Miller has more power though.

I still don't know what to do to solve our power supply problems. So many choices and not near enough money....

Later,
Dan