texasjohn
Super Member
Butch, yep, been in Jarrell over 20 years.
Running tombstone welder on 5KW generator
- Thread starter tanglefoot
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texasjohn
Super Member
OK, http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowl...generators.asp says that an AC/DC welder won't work with a 5000 watt generator.... I believe them, they are the experts.
However, what about a MIG.. which is what I have... a Miller 175 with has specs of input 19.5 amps at 175 welding amps.
My generator is a Coleman with 5000 watts continuous, 6250 peak, 20.8 amps circuit breaker at 240Volts.
Anybody have a positive report, I hope?
However, what about a MIG.. which is what I have... a Miller 175 with has specs of input 19.5 amps at 175 welding amps.
My generator is a Coleman with 5000 watts continuous, 6250 peak, 20.8 amps circuit breaker at 240Volts.
Anybody have a positive report, I hope?
OP
tanglefoot
Silver Member
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- 109
John,
I guess you were there when the tornado hit Jarrell. That was tragic.
From what I've read on another forum, there is a lag when you strike the arc. The generator can't match it's rpm's to the demand for power at that time. One or two threads lead me to believe that a power factor capacitor might make it possible to overcome that lag. I haven't put any of this info. into use yet. I hope to try it in a week or two.
Butch
I guess you were there when the tornado hit Jarrell. That was tragic.
From what I've read on another forum, there is a lag when you strike the arc. The generator can't match it's rpm's to the demand for power at that time. One or two threads lead me to believe that a power factor capacitor might make it possible to overcome that lag. I haven't put any of this info. into use yet. I hope to try it in a week or two.
Butch
texasjohn
Super Member
Yep... 27 people dead in one tornado... the wife saw it heading for our house, which sits on a hill, and took cover. Fortunately, it lifted into the air about 1 mile before it got to us. The effects are still visible, if you know where to look. What amazed me was that it even took up the asphalt from the road as it crossed. Only house slabs left... even carpet and flooring sucked up... just looked like the slab had just been poured and no house ever built. That's an F5 tornado.
I'll be interested in knowing how your experience with the generator and welder goes... will do a web search to see if I can find anything regarding use of a generator and mig welder.
I'll be interested in knowing how your experience with the generator and welder goes... will do a web search to see if I can find anything regarding use of a generator and mig welder.
patrick_g
Elite Member
I have the Lincoln "Tombstone" AC-DC welder which asks for a dedicated 250 volt 50 amp circuit. (220 or 240 VAC is OK)
It uses most of that at max power settings. I have a 7500 Watt genny and it struggles to run the tombstone. No wonder... 50 Amps at 250 VAC is 12,500 Watts. Even 40 Amps (entirely reasonable for a tombstone) at 225 VAC is 9000 Watts. Your generator is going to be straining its guts out) and popping the breaker) trying to do anything above the lightest heat settings with itsy bitsy rods. This is not conducive to good penetration.
There are such considerations in engineering terms as "source stiffness", which a seriously undersized generator will not demonstrate and "fast load response" which small overloaded generators will also not have. This will also contribute to poor welding characteristics.
I also have a Lincoln MIG which my generator can run to full power. It is a small MIG with input rated at 20 Amps at 120VAC. It is rated to weld up to 1/4 inch mild steel with multi-pass techniques. There are more powerful MIGs that my generator could handle but this is what I bought a long time ago and it works fine and lasts a long time and isn't likely to be replaced till it dies or I suddenly find I'm welding a lot of stuff at or above 1/4 inch in the field where I have to use a genny.
Short version/Executive Summary:
5 KW isn't enough generator to power the tombstone except at minimal settings.
patrick_g
It uses most of that at max power settings. I have a 7500 Watt genny and it struggles to run the tombstone. No wonder... 50 Amps at 250 VAC is 12,500 Watts. Even 40 Amps (entirely reasonable for a tombstone) at 225 VAC is 9000 Watts. Your generator is going to be straining its guts out) and popping the breaker) trying to do anything above the lightest heat settings with itsy bitsy rods. This is not conducive to good penetration.
There are such considerations in engineering terms as "source stiffness", which a seriously undersized generator will not demonstrate and "fast load response" which small overloaded generators will also not have. This will also contribute to poor welding characteristics.
I also have a Lincoln MIG which my generator can run to full power. It is a small MIG with input rated at 20 Amps at 120VAC. It is rated to weld up to 1/4 inch mild steel with multi-pass techniques. There are more powerful MIGs that my generator could handle but this is what I bought a long time ago and it works fine and lasts a long time and isn't likely to be replaced till it dies or I suddenly find I'm welding a lot of stuff at or above 1/4 inch in the field where I have to use a genny.
Short version/Executive Summary:
5 KW isn't enough generator to power the tombstone except at minimal settings.
patrick_g
Highbeam
Super Member
I too read the Lincoln article and think they are only trying to sell their own combo welder gensets. Perhaps that article is written to trick people since the article refers to the AC/DC version and DC welding takes more juice.
I weld with my tombstone and coleman 5550 watt generator. It works just fine. You will certainly have to try it before you can say it won't work because I am here to tell you it works at all normal settings. I've even struck and held an arc at the full 225 amps to "cut" with my tombstone. No problem. I would rather weld at home on grid power so I don't need to listen to that generator engine.
My summary is that those who haven't tried something but say it won't work are not thinking outside the box.
In theory a bumble bee cannot fly but noone told the bumble bee this and so he flies.
I weld with my tombstone and coleman 5550 watt generator. It works just fine. You will certainly have to try it before you can say it won't work because I am here to tell you it works at all normal settings. I've even struck and held an arc at the full 225 amps to "cut" with my tombstone. No problem. I would rather weld at home on grid power so I don't need to listen to that generator engine.
My summary is that those who haven't tried something but say it won't work are not thinking outside the box.
In theory a bumble bee cannot fly but noone told the bumble bee this and so he flies.
Highbeam
Super Member
I busted out the welder/genny last night and laid down some beads on my bucket with 3/32" 6013 rod and 125 amps. The bead was to stop a crack that was forming where the ram bracket pulls on the bucket sheet. Easy sneezy. Dragging out the 11HP genny and tombstone was easier than moving the tractor to the garage in the 90 degree heat. I then ground the welds pretty with my 4.5" grinder and then painted the metal. Turned out great and blued the metal on the other side of the sheet so I know penetration was adequate.
3RRL
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I'll second what Highbeam said. I weld with exactly the same Lincoln 225AC unit and have done a lot of welding at camp off a 5550 Generac Wheelhouse. My welds are on ¼" to 5/8" thick steel with excellent penetration using 6011 or 7018 rod. Only difference is my welds look better than his. 
Highbeam
Super Member
Bah, yes you're probably right Rob. I have a "farm fix" mode and a fabrication mode. I know you can beat my best AC arc weld with your TIG.
3RRL
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Ha ha Joe, I was just pulling your pud there.
I've seen your welds and they are very good. You sure gave me some good advice on getting that Lincoln. I could not have taken my TIG welder to the property and would never have gotten any welding done up there with my old Forney. It did not run worth beans off the 5550w generator. But that Lincoln works great!!
Thanks,
I've seen your welds and they are very good. You sure gave me some good advice on getting that Lincoln. I could not have taken my TIG welder to the property and would never have gotten any welding done up there with my old Forney. It did not run worth beans off the 5550w generator. But that Lincoln works great!!
Thanks,