Using a generator to power welder.

[BufordBoone]

Well, guess that would have been $ wasted. Glad I asked.

Thanks for the information.

 

[BukitCase]

This is the lowest cost generator (NOT an inverter) I've found that claims lower than 5% THD (what most welder mfg's claim is needed to run inverter welders)

Champion 1419 7W/9W Dual Fuel Generator Manufacturer Refurbished – FactoryPure

Not all of Champion's gennys claim low THD, depends on the model #.

That particular model is big enough to run your Lincoln on 240 volt (try THAT with an inverter genny for less than $5,000)

It's also big enough to run most of a normal household as a backup.

I have NOT dealt with that company, but HAVE seen those Champions discussed here on TBN, there's a few threads - sorry, no links... Steve

 

[BufordBoone]

Thanks, Steve. More "food for thought".

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

This is the lowest cost generator (NOT an inverter) I've found that claims lower than 5% THD (what most welder mfg's claim is needed to run inverter welders)

Champion 1419 7W/9W Dual Fuel Generator Manufacturer Refurbished – FactoryPure

Not all of Champion's gennys claim low THD, depends on the model #.

That particular model is big enough to run your Lincoln on 240 volt (try THAT with an inverter genny for less than $5,000)

It's also big enough to run most of a normal household as a backup.

I have NOT dealt with that company, but HAVE seen those Champions discussed here on TBN, there's a few threads - sorry, no links... Steve

We've found that Champion's claims are a bit optimistic. IF everything is perfect and the birds are singing.

Now, we have a lot of customers using the Northern Tool PowerHorse line. No issues that I know of.

 

[mapper]

If you were a bit closer, my sister has a Hobart Champion 16 gas powered welder sitting down in her garage that she would be happy to get rid off for a good (for the buyer) price.

 

[BukitCase]

Good to know Mark; Buford, if your 210mp REALLY only draws 15 amps on 240 volt, even the smaller powerhorse would work

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200664808_200664808

$600, and free shipping... Steve

Re-think - I read elsewhere that up to 30 amps would be better for that welder, which would be a bit more

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200664810_200664810

($920, still free shipping)...

 

[BufordBoone]

Lots of great info. I'm kind of glad I have a problem I could ask about.

Learning lots about generators.

Thanks, everyone.

 

[BufordBoone]

Update: Since the first post I got a Titanium 125 flux core welder from Harbor Freight. It is an inverter machine and I had read good reviews. I experimented some with it and really am impressed.

Today I thought I'd do a test. I used my Honda EU 2000i generator to power the welder. It ran surprisingly well on lower settings with thin steel.

I thought of how to test to see if I could use it to fix the lock boxes on my gate so I welded two pieces of 1/8" steel together, end-to-end (Butt weld?) . I wanted to see how weak one pass would be. Though the pass was not pretty, I was looking for a worse case scenario.

Once it cooled off, I turned it over and broke the weld. Most surprising was that it took most of my body weight to break it. I'll try a few more tests but it looks like this is going to work for my repairs.

Those repairs, BTW, are to the boxes that surround the locks. I want to put in some pieces so that a bolt cutter is unable to reach the locks.

 

[BufordBoone]

New Update (yeah, 3 MONTHS later...I've been busy) - Used the aforementioned Titanium 125 flux core welder and Honda EU2000i generator. Successfully welded angle steel to the lockbox of the gate. Had to use a long lever (crowbar) at one point to make things line up. Welds held. Appears they are sufficiently strong, even if they are not pretty.

Perhaps the setup was not ideal but it got the job done.

Thanks for all the good advice. If I had much more to do, I'd either rent a proper welder or hire someone.

I probably paid less for the welding machine than I would have paid to have a welder come out. Win/Win!

 

[ultrarunner]

Not what you are asking but I have used my 25 year old Honda EM5000 for field work power to weld residential burglar bars and it did the trick... the crooks were no longer able to steal the burglar bars...

 

[tommy49]

What ever it takes to get the job done. I've set my Coleman 6250 generator up to run my Miller 180 mig welder.

 

[Wearl]

There's nothing inherent to an inverter that dictates that it will be cleaner power simply because it carries the label. Generator/alternators either. It's all about $'s and quality. You can't build, market and sell a quality gen-set for little to nothing but on the other hand raising the price doesn't necessarily make it higher quality. Home & portable power plants are extremely popular now and an extremely attractive market for the corporate world. The old standard producers woke up one day and found the market flooded with low budget look alike sets at 1/2 the price they had been traditionally selling their tried and true quality units for. Big box stores, hardware stores, sporting goods stores, auto parts stores, chain saw shops, every where you go there are gen-sets. The plethora of names and models is mind boggling. A corporation like Toro could very likely to contract out to 'me-dang-good' from South Korea for a low budget set who then consolidates parts from India, China and the US to put a package together and slaps the Toro label on it. The consumer assumes it is a good set because Toro has a good rep for mowers. 90% of them will never know because they won't run the dayem thing anyway. They only bought one because their neighbor bought one. Big corps know this and pray on it. Even if it was a good model this year doesn't mean it will be next year. Next year they find a new source for piece parts that ups the bottom line a few points.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Truer words were never spoken. I know a place that fixes commercial welders/plasma cutters. Even the new name brand stuff can't remotely compare to stuff from even a few years ago. Gone is expensive copper and steel. Enter plastic, electronics and aluminum.

 

[ultrarunner]

Has Honda cheapened now that units are also made in other countries?

I my Hondas for 20 and 25 years ago are made in Japan.

The most recent is India...

 

[dragoneggs]

Has Honda cheapened now that units are also made in other countries?

I my Hondas for 20 and 25 years ago are made in Japan.

The most recent is India...

Interesting. I bought my 3000iS about 20years ago I think. Just assuming they were and always built in Japan and maybe assembled in the USA by now. I will have to check the label on the next maintenance fire up. Mine is a little small for welding... but is great for modest backup power with fuel efficiency.

 

[BukitCase]

Try this
Honda Engines | Manufacturing Locations

I've seen a few negative comments on the GC series, all my Honda powered stuff has the GX engines; guess those are now made in Thailand.

I've had my GX390 powered pressure washer since the early 80's, still starts on first or second pull (and that's AFTER closing the fuel shutoff and letting it die)... Steve

 

[ultrarunner]

My first Honda was a Northern Pressure Washer early 80’s followed by Honda 1000 circa 1985 and over the years added pumps, mowers, generators... etc. not a bad one in almost 40 years

Now if you count motor cycles and cars a 1971 175CB motorcycle briefly Honda 2 cyl car

Only the EM 5000 regularly used for my little stick welder tacking burglar bars