Running a welder on a generator for field use?

[2Buckslake]

Hello. 250Volts shouldn't really be a problem for your plasma cutter. If you take a voltmeter and check your voltage at the receptacle in your garage that's for 240v, the voltage won't be a constant 240 volt from the utility company! I've checked my garage receptacle a number of times with a meter just to see what the utility company is sending downline to my house, and sometimes it's anywhere from 242 to 251 volts! They cannot control the voltage to be exact 240 when sending that high voltage thru overhead wire and then stepping it down thru a transformer. Most any appliance or piece of electrical equipment has a +- value of 5 to 10% allowance to operate. I suspect your plasma cutter's startup amps are maybe too high? for the generator to run it?

That said, I have a plasma cutter with overload protection that refuses to run off the same generator. A check with a multimeter showed the generator was putting out 250volts, I guess that's a little too hot for the plasma cutter.[/QUOTE]

 

[2Buckslake]

Thanks! Yes, it's a nice rig. I put in on an old genset trailer that was given to me and I have an enclosure on it. I have an automatic transfer switch hooked up to my utility connection so that it auto starts when utility drops out. I have quick disconnect camlock cables so that I can unhook it from the garage, and move it around with my tractor anywhere on my property and use it. One of the many benefits working in the industrial generator field....:thumbsup:

 

[ModMech]

Correct, voltage is not exact, but the frequency can cause chips to misbehave, then inverter types get flakey.

 

[Sodo]

Here is a Miller MultiMatic200 at its max setting (3/8" thickness) welding 3/8" steel on an excavator dozer blade. The Generator is an 8000w unit (10,000 surge). The material at the lower left on the blade is 3/8" steel. MultiMatic is an inverter welder, which (I am told) gets you a few percent more amps than a transformer welder.

Call Miller tech support and ask them. They told me that my MultiMatic was made for portable generator use. They said the book number is 7200w but custs use them on 7,000w all the time. W 6500w you would prob max out at amperage for 5/16" thickness settings? Just a guess.

I've done a LOT of welding on 120v with a paired set of Honda EU2000i inverter generators. Honda rates their generator with the surge number. So a Honda 2000 is actually a 1600, then two 1600w Hondas paired is 3200W. 3200w welds 3/16" steel just fine but you can't get to 1/4", it bogs the motor at weld start.

Basically you shouldn't be welding at an amperage that bogs the motor at weld start. Weld start is a critical time for your weld quality. If you MUST, then you have to set a starter piece right next to the real weld, start your weld off the work, and once the generator motor catches up you can quickly jump over to the real weld. This can take about 1/2" of welding. Not an enjoyable way to weld but if you're in a pinch you can do it.

 

[Shield Arc]

I have $900.00 invested in this setup. $200.00 for the 300-AMP engine drive welder, and $700.00 for the wire feeder.
It doesn't weld too bad. This is 1/16 inch Hobart 21B self shielded wire.

 

[dntfxr]

U want to make 100$ on that sa200? Folks are proud of them around here, before restoration they still want 2000$. May be all the pipeliners still like and use them on the job? I have been checking around at some auctions just in case one shows up. But I'll probably end up getting a small MIG or maybe a AC/DC TIG/stick like the AHP Alphatig, or for a bit more the Everlast 250ex. I had inquired about the Everlast unit in a pm to lugweld over at WW, but haven't received a reply yet. I'm still a little leary of having to send one off for warranty vs with blue or red just dropping it off local. I'm not in any rush to buy though, my project won't start till spring.

 

[Shield Arc]

In your neck of the woods, or anywhere in the mid west. SA-200 sell very high! I see them on ebay go for over $8,000.00 all the time. Here in the North West they sell very cheap. I paid $250.00 for this one.

I've had my Everlast PowerArc 200 for 6 or 7-years, not even a little problem:cool2:. We are lucky here, we have Mark as a member. Mark is a very honest man!:thumbsup: