Plasma Cutter "Q"

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 16:48:47 GMT

go to see Welding Machine for Plasma Cutter "Q"

Can anyone tell me if I can run a plasma cutter off the generator of my Lincwelder 225 with a 15 amp outlet or a Genac 5000 generator?
Reply:Not without knowing which plasma machine you have and what it's specs/ratings are.
Reply:I haven't purchased one yet.  Don't know enough about them other than what the sales rep indoctrinates you with.  Looking for unbiased info here first.
Reply:Originally Posted by 02 LariatCan anyone tell me if I can run a plasma cutter off the generator of my Lincwelder 225 with a 15 amp outlet or a Genac 5000 generator?
Reply:Originally Posted by 02 LariatI haven't purchased one yet.  Don't know enough about them other than what the sales rep indoctrinates you with.  Looking for unbiased info here first.
Reply:Well Q it may power one of the smaller 110v inverter based plasma cutters. The other day I went to a friends salvage yard to cut the top off of a Volvo semi. My Hypertherm PowerMax 45 is what I used. That cutter is 230v at 45amp. So you need a pretty big generator to power it. I used a Lincoln Vantage 400 it has a perkins diesel engine and will put out 20K. Put to purchase that /weldor/generator you'll need alot of $$$$$$.$$.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:OK.  So money and power are needed.  Due to issues with my 3000 watt 225 welder I'm considering a 10,000 watt Hobart.  I'm old school and raised on traditional cutting torch but would like to move on the the plasma and know nothing about them.  I need to cut up to 1/4" steel.  What plasma cutter do I need and will it run on the Hobart 10,000?
Reply:The plasma may be able to be run off the generator, but you also have to power the compressor for the air. Those eat up alot of amps especially when they first start up. I suppose you could keep the plasma running, but not being used while the compressor fills the tank up. Then shut off the compressor and use the plasma until the air pressure gets too low. Then start all over again. That is the only way I really see it working without running the risk of damaging one or the other due to lack of current.
Reply:I used my trailblazer (lpg) 11Kw to power a hypotherm 75 (will probably cut 1", but real slow) and an emglo "hot dog" 110v twin small tanks and no wheels to cut 3/8 steel plate all at the same time. Ran just like it was at the shopG
Reply:There ya go. I figured if the compressor was small enough it would not draw too many amps. I tried my big 60gallon 5 hp compressor with a 6800 watt generator and it wouldn't even turn the motor. Just too much amp draw I guess. Granted the compressor is rated at 15 amps 220 and probably pulls more just starting. But I still thought it could pull it. I say go for the 10,000 watt gen and use a smaller compressor.  Just keep in mind that amps X volts = watts if you are trying to figure out if a gen will work on something. A 40 amp plasma will pull upwards of around 6600 watts +/- at full amps. It doesn't have as much of a start up load as a compressor does, but it pulls a lot of constant amps when running. Just use a compressor that won't pull too many amps and I think you will be fine.Mark
Reply:i had an emglo dewalt ....crappy compressor but i run it off a generator and it ruined the comp so i was told by an electrician ....who says the generator produces (dirty  elect) and will mess up a comp, anyone ever heard that ?
Replyon't know about "dirty" electricity, but I know that there is alot of variance in amps/volts with generators. With household current (if wired properly) you have a stable 120/240 volts and plenty of amps. With a generator you may have more/less volts. You also may only have a limited amout of amps until the generator catches up with the amp draw. I have a 6800 watt gen that puts out 130 volts. When I use my  chinese 3-1 welder off of it, there is a 2 sec bobble in the weld until the generator catches up to the amp draw. I would only guess that if used constantly over time that it may cause problems that way. I also have a 10,000 watt miller bobcat that may do the same thing, however I have not tested the output of that machine. There is however a slight lapse until the gen catches up with draw.Mark
Reply:Thanks for all the feedback guys.  I'm not gonna try it on my lincwelder 225 (3000 watt) or the genac 5000.  Think I'll wait and try it on my new 10,000 wat Hobart I'm picking up day after turkey day.
Reply:I can run my Hypertherm Powermax 600 (40 amp output) off my Ranger 250 with a gas powered compressor.  It will cut up to about 1/2" then it poops out because its not enough input power.Ranger has 9,000 watt rating.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I talked to Lincoln rep this week about using my ranger 8 for my plasma.  He said that after a check out and a little tuning, it should be fine, but if it were a ranger 250,  it is much safer and cleaner power.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Originally Posted by 02 LariatThanks for all the feedback guys.  I'm not gonna try it on my lincwelder 225 (3000 watt) or the genac 5000.  Think I'll wait and try it on my new 10,000 wat Hobart I'm picking up day after turkey day.
Reply:Broccoli1Thanks for the info.  Hadn't considered adapters.  Any insight to a good yet inexpensive cutter for farm use?
Reply:Originally Posted by 02 Lariat   good yet inexpensive