Welding off a portable generator

[Sawyer Rob]

I was pondering this at one time, the only conclusion I came up with is if I wanted to run even my inverter welder at max amps I would need about a 10K generator. For some reason you go over 8 KW on a generator the price increases to the point you might as well buy a welder/generator.

OR, buy a pto generator and run what ever you want, including your whole house.

I run my welder off my pto genset and it works perfectly. I like that I can set up lights to see better and also, someone can be running a side grinder while I weld.

SR

 

[WranglerX]

no you did not confuse me more, you helped clear up some stuff. I contacted northerntools asking for a graph/info on the power requirements at different amp ranges but they still have not provided the info and I doubt they will. I did the same calculations as you did but was not 100% sure on my math so I figured I would seek input.

Try looking up graph in owners manual for welder, Hobart is pretty good about amperage outputs vs power requirements graphs, not sure about other welding equipment suppliers....... Welder information will be more precise in it requirement for selection of generator that will operate in your "working" range....

Also you may query online tech support (factory) for your brand welder and ask for generator recommendation....

EDIT: If your welder is Thernal Arc 161i (inverter) the manual on page 2-2 states recommended generator need ...

http://www.esabna.com/eu/literature...161 stl operators manual (0-5147)_nov2010.pdf


Dale

 

[mikester]

If you are in the market for a genny have you considered a welder generator? They work great

 

[STERLING351]

If you are in the market for a genny have you considered a welder generator? They work great

Ive thought about it but in some areas on my property getting my big truck to them is pretty much impossible, my polaris does fine so im looking for a good portable setup that fits im the bed of my ranger.

 

[mikester]

Ive thought about it but in some areas on my property getting my big truck to them is pretty much impossible, my polaris does fine so im looking for a good portable setup that fits im the bed of my ranger.

They have small welder generators. I used to have a Ranger 8 (8kW 100% duty cycle) which fit in the back of a pickup no problem. If you had a flat bed on the ranger you could probably carry it. I left mine on a pallet and just moved it around with my loader forks.

Engine Driven Welders | Lincoln Electric Canada
Miller Welder Generators - Engine Driven Welders and Machines - MillerWelds

There are smaller units you can pick up by hand too. At the time I got mine it wasn't much more expensive than a comparable duty cycle gas gen set.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

EDIT: If your welder is Thernal Arc 161i (inverter) the manual on page 2-2 states recommended generator need ...

http://www.esabna.com/eu/literature...161 stl operators manual (0-5147)_nov2010.pdf


Dale

Yep, that's the welder I've used on my 15-20 year old 5000/6250 generac generator.
The manual recommends a 6,000 watt genny and the one I use is just a little smaller.

Inverters are pretty darn stingy on power requirements compared to transformer machines.

If a person is unfamiliar with how big a generator is needed, I still recommend borrowing or renting a generator to test with.

But truthfully, I prefer welding with my miller bobcat 225nt instead of a generator + inverter setup.

Honda Ranger would easily pull a little trailer with a 500 pound welder/generator on it.

 

[Texasmark]

So i am replacing my fence on my property with 2-7/8 steel pipe for corner post and H-braces. In the past i have welded with a friends generator welder using 6011 1/8th rods at 90-100amps with good results. I was looking at a Powerhorse 7000w surge/5500w running generator ( https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200664808_200664808 ). It has a L14-30 outlet so i found this ( Amazon.com : Conntek PL14365 Welder Adaper Generator L14-3 Plug(4 Prong 3Amp) to NEMA 6-5R 5 Amp 25-volt Adapter Cord : Garden & Outdoor ) to adapt my welder to the generator. Do you think this generator will be enough for my needs, has anyone used Powerhorse in the past? They have good reviews.

Purlins ok, drill pipe iffy. I find that using AC and an AC rod will make it (with a sloppier weld) than DC when at the generator's limit. I had a 5000 and it wouldn't work even with 3/32" rods. Then newer 6500 running watts does ok with 3/32 rods, barely on pipe. Clean material to be welded really makes a difference.

 

[STERLING351]

Purlins ok, drill pipe iffy. I find that using AC and an AC rod will make it (with a sloppier weld) than DC when at the generator's limit. I had a 5000 and it wouldn't work even with 3/32" rods. Then newer 6500 running watts does ok with 3/32 rods, barely on pipe. Clean material to be welded really makes a difference.

I grind the immediate area to be welded first so it is alittle cleaner