Will my generator run my welder?

[jwmorris]

I run welders off generators all the time. I have a 100,000 watt 3ph generator that works fine on my synchrowaves, as well as inverter plasma and Mig machines. It's old enough that the generator part is Onan and the engine is a gas/LP/NG Ford inline 6.

I also run a smaller MIG and Maxstar inverter TIG/stick welders off a much smaller 4500 watt generator. It's a lot newer but I have had it for more than a decade.

Looking at the specs of your welder Lincoln claims at 230 volts, welding at 200 amps it has a 25% duty cycle and will be drawing 14.7 amps, that's about 3381 watts. Even if your 10,000 watt generator is overrated (most are) it should still do the trick.

 

[sixdogs]

Sodo--I called Lincoln and they said no problem, my 10/12 generator will run that welder with no problem. Just make sure, he said three times, to MAKE SURE THE GENERATOR IS RUNNING AT HIGH SPEED and does not idle down. He said if it does, it could damage the welder. Apparently, if the welder is running but not being used, the generator will kick down to n idle and then when you go to weld there isn't enough power and that can cause a problem with the welder. Clean power/dirty power isn't an issue.

So, no problem as long as the generator is running at full blast. If it kicks down while you're welding or before you start welding, problem.

The tech line was a great idea.

 

[Sodo]

Sixdogs I hate to see a guy who has all the right tools not get the job done.

My generator has an "eco" mode where it can be set to throttle down after a period of no-load. This saves fuel, saves the generator too. When it gets a load it opens the throttle, of course there's a delay as the motor comes up to speed. Your generator won't throttle down while you're welding, but it certainly will if you let go of the trigger for a few minutes. All generators that have that feature will CERTAINLY have a switch so you can choose the mode. You will need to locate that switch and set it to "roll coal".:laughing:

 

[jwmorris]

One other thing I do is verify output, if you don't have an oscilloscope you can use a regular incandescent light bulb. Run one leg off your generator and the other leg from your paid for electricity. The light should not be flashing rapidly as that would be an indicator that the frequency on the generator is off. If it is steady then just check the output voltage.

 

[C4Ranch]

I've run my 210mp stick off my 10kw generator (same generator as Sodo) without any issue... Turned off the econo mode and use a big 50amp RV extension cord.