Whats the best generator for this usage?

[txslowpoke]

I need a generator that can power a lincoln 220 cracker box, plus one that can handle A/C (13,500 btus), plus a microwave for our boondocking camper. The camper is in the middle of a ranch with no electric access. I remember reading here where a 5500 watt unit can handle the Lincoln....I think. Is that the base I am looking at?
Thx

 

[1962]

Well, that would depend on how high you have the amps cranked up on the welder.The higher the amps, the more draw on the genny to get it to strike an arc. I have a lincoln tombstone welder, and have many times run it off my genny(7200W) at 75 or so amps. It might be able to go higher(amps) but thats all I needed at the time for what I was welding.

 

[txslowpoke]

Normally I like the 100 range on the cracker box. But 75 is workable for a poor boy.

 

[txslowpoke]

I found Highbeams thread............ so is it true a 5500 watt genny can handle a lincoln toombstone/carcker box?
I saw a 6k genny at Tractor supply today that seemed pretty nice for 599.00.

 

[1962]

Yea, me thinks you would be ok with 100 amps. My kid was cutting some lumber with a circular saw plugged into the genny the same time I was welding and the arc would pop out everytime he hit the trigger. He quit after I hollered at him. The genny makes it possible to have a inexpensive portable welder.

 

[Farwell]

How about getting a combination generator/welder. The combo can be cheaper than a generator by itself.

 

[JB4310]

I would think a gen/welder would be more expensive. I have a Honda 175 amp dc, nice machine but not cheap and it doesn't have a 240 volt outlet, think it puts out around 4 kw 120 V.

I have an old Lincoln thunderbolt buzz box that I was wondering if I could get it going with a 10 kw pto genny, but the genny only has a 40 amp breaker the welder requires a 50 amp circuit, I know that's for max rating but I would be surprised that a 5.5 kw would get you much welding amps, not sure though since I've never tried it. when I weld AC I'm usually in the 100-150 amp range.

You would be fine with the microwave and I'm pretty sure the a/c to, but that initial short for the arc strike draws a big surge, from what I've heard.

 

[texasjohn]

Unclear if you are looking at two generators or at one.

Add up the watts needed at the voltage you need.... then purchase more than that... surely you are also looking at lights as well?

You comment re a camper... there are generators made for campers which are SIGNIFICANTLY quieter than the regular generator. If noise is a factor, think about that before you make a purchase.

 

[gemini5362]

maybe I am missing something here. I am not sure how you are figureing the amps you need for the input to your welder. Watts=Voltage x current

you might be doing 175 amps out of your welder but it is a lower voltage. I believe possibly 32 volts or so. if so a 7500 watt generator should run it. If your welder runs off of 240 volts it is probably going to draw around 30 amps input current. which is about 8400 watts. I do not know the actual numbers but you should be able to look on the web and see what the actual input current is. If you use a lower tap on your welder it will be less input current used a higher current welder will use more amps.

 

[texasjohn]

For example, the specs on my Miller 175 mig welder say that max amp load at 220 volts is something like 18.5 amps. My 5500 watt continuous coleman generator has a 20 amp circuit breaker on its 220 volt circuit. The generator runs the welder and has never popped the circuit breaker. However, you there is a maybe .25 second delay between seeking to strike a good spark, the generator responding to the greater load and a good welding current being established.

The net is, my generator will satisfactorily run my welder, but there is little/no excess capacity available for anything else. When I was looking at generators, the 5500 to 6000watt range was a sweet spot for price versus output. Above that, it got expensive very fast. Also, hunting down a quiet generator got expensive very fast too.