Welder/Generator question

[HCJtractor]

I am shopping for a welder/generator for use where no electricity is available. I would like to use it for fabrication (such as a cultipacker), repair of implements, and would also like it to be a home backup for occasional use during power outages. I need it to be portable (but not trailer mounted) but on running gear so it can be rolled manually. I would also like to be able to power my Miller 211 (230V, 24.3 amp input) and maybe a plasma later.

I am considering the Miller Wildcat 200 (6500 peak. 5500 continuous W output). Maybe a little small for home backup but probably adequate since I have gas heat and water. I used a 8000W Northstar w/o any problems many times previously.

Miller only rates this big enough to power a Millermatic 180, but the 211 is just the next step up in power.

Is the stick welding power (50-200A) big enough for general fabrication of say a cultipacker or implement repair? My Mig is only rated for 3/8". Is this stick more powerful for better penetration?

The Bobcat series is just too big for me to handle or move, so out of the question.

MY alternative is to by a generator (Winco 9000 W) and a AC/DC stick welder such as a Hobart Stickmate 235. But this would cost more and be two things to move instead of one.

Any thoughts or recomendations? Anyone familiar with this Wildcat 200? I don't see any other welder/generator that is this compact, yet fairly powerful enough to drive my house (rarely), or my Miller 211 (hopefully), and be a good stick.

Or would my Mig do anything this welder would do in terms of welding thicker steel (say 1/2"). Regardless, I still need a generator to run my Mig since I don't have good power sources where I am forced to weld.

THanks, and sorry for the dissertation!

 

[robphillips00]

You might look for a miller legend. It's a 5500 watt 1800 rpm generator. It will well up to 300 amps depending on model. They are fantastic all around machines.
Much better on fuel than their 3600 rpm counterparts.

 

[JoelD]

I purchased a miller bluestar welder generator with same intent however I could not bring myself to run such an expensive piece of machinery for days on end powering the house during power outs

I use the bluestar for welding and a $399 generator (6000 watts) for power backup

Generators are now dirt cheap

Joel

 

[HCJtractor]

I purchased a miller bluestar welder generator with same intent however I could not bring myself to run such an expensive piece of machinery for days on end powering the house during power outs

I use the bluestar for welding and a $399 generator (6000 watts) for power backup

Generators are now dirt cheap

Joel

my problem is lack of storage space, so i am trying to minimize numbers of tools. I would expect power outages to be rare (in last 15 years, I have run a generator for less than 150 hours) so I don't think that would in any way hurt a generator such as the Miller. As far as welding, I would use it also on a limited basis (couple times a month). Therefore I don't think hours of use is an issue.

 

[HCJtractor]

You might look for a miller legend. It's a 5500 watt 1800 rpm generator. It will well up to 300 amps depending on model. They are fantastic all around machines.
Much better on fuel than their 3600 rpm counterparts.

I don't think they make these any more. Don't know much about them in terms of size, weight, cost, etc. Portability is high on my list of priorities. Even if I found a nice used Bobcat for a bargain, I would not be able to handle it's size.

 

[BHD]

I ended up with a used Lincoln ranger a few years ago, and mounted it on the old truck, My own suggestion is to get the good welder, and then make or remake some type of storage place for it, but I was running a small wire feed off my 4000 watt portable generator, with out problems saved the day a few times,

If your limited in size and weight I would probably go separate generator and a wire feed, as the wire feed can be used with out the generator, a generator welder has to be ran with the motor,

(MY thinking is get what is big enough or good enough for what your want to do, and figure out the storage later, or punt and just get the lower cost most multi purpose system you can for the money) but if you do not get what meets your need, you will end up spending more later to get that need, and then have more things to store,

 

[bobodu]

I had a big old Lincoln 225 with an Onan. Sold it...but I much prefer stick for repairs and the heavy stuff. That welder had a 3000 watt generator but it was DC only. So that's something to watch out for.
I rewired a 130 amp Lincoln Town Car alternator and run it off a 14 horse Briggs for my portable welding now.

 

[David Devuono]

Its interesting topic. I purchased a 7500watt (6250 watt running) generator with 13 hp engine. I can only run my 120V Lincoln at a low setting. It blows the main generator breaker, not the 20 amp branch breaker. Anyway beware of those cheap generators

 

[Shield Arc]

A buddy of mine has a Lincoln Ranger 305G, that machine sure has a sweet arc!:licking:

Ranger 305 G Kohler

 

[HCJtractor]

Is yours a good generator or a cheaper model? The 9,000 W I was considering is an industrial unit (comes with a 6-50 NEMA 50A 230V receptacle) and is pricey ($2600)