no power

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ok guys im buying a thermal arc 252i here in the near future with all the accesories (tig torch,spoolgun, cart, bottles, etc.) well problem is i need a power supply. a generator to be specific. i have already looked into ALL the miller, hobart etc.. welder/generators and i dont have that kinda $ let alone need 1 seens how the 252i is already a tig, mig, and stick welder. so in another words i need a "just generator", generator. the 252i puts out 300 amps off a 240v outlet so i need something that will be able to run that many amps constantly and consistanly if i wanted 2. if any ?'s bout the 252 or any advice on a generator just ask or lemme know. thanks guys.
Reply:Did you look at the manual? It says right there that you need a 10 kw gen set to run the unit. That means you will need a genset with a continuous duty rating of 10 KW. It wouldn't be a bad idea to get a larger genset if you are going to need to run maxed out a lot. I'd look at a 12-15KW unit if that is the case.Don't expect these to be inexpensive. In general, I've found most welder generators in that KW range to cost just about as much as a dedicated genset will..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Now what if i wasn't running at full power ALL the time but like maybe 200-250 amps, closer 2 200 on avg?Same thing?
Reply:The manual doesn't list any other info, so there's no way to know. If you aren't running maxed all the time, the 10Kw unit will probably run just fine. You might get away with a 7.5-8KW unit, but you'd limit yourself in max power then. Any less and I wouldn't bother. Why buy a genset you know is way too small anyways? You could always rent one and find out...A better idea of what you want to do would help. It's seldom cost effective to buy a welder and then try and get a genset big enough to power it. It usually only pays if you already have the welder ( or genset) and need to do some light mobile work. Most times it's cheaper to find a nice used welder generator like a Bobcat or Trailblazer and add the accessories as needed.If this is for shop use, it's usually less money to simply get power installed. When you look at the cost of fuel, maintenance, noise ( complaints if you have neighbors) and the fact a generator will have a finite life ( inexpensive gensets usually have lower run hour lives vs more expensive units), a genset isn't all that cost effective.Unless you live off the grid, simply getting power run is usually your best bet unless you want to go mobile. If you want to go mobile, then you need to look at units designed to do that. keep in mind the TA 251 was never designed to be hauled around as a "portable" welder. Vibration may very well cause issues, plus it's a fairly large machine to load/unload regularly..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:i dont think mobile is something that is gonna be anytime soon in the least. if and when that time comes id get something a little more suitable for that. i dont plan on running 300 amps much if at all unless necessary. just want something that could if i HAD TO..  i just plan on using my thermal arc 252 for just fab and minor repairs for people at home. then at work using it for fab/construction. but we have a full size miller generator there so im not too worried about that.
Reply:well i have decided to just go with the middle man the thermal arc 211. its bigger then the 181 yet smaller then the 252.. obviously. so i wont need as much power because ill be running ALOT of amps but if i wanted to it still has the output to weld 3/8 steel. which im not even welding at work for "construction." and its still something i could bring back and forth from home to work and visa versa due to its very weight and all leads and everything else could be just thrown in the car and take head out. i downloaded the user manual and it says it'll do 1/4 all day whether mig, tig, or stick. what u guys thing?
Reply:Originally Posted by greersftw i downloaded the user manual and it says it'll do 1/4 all day whether mig, tig, or stick. what u guys thing?
Reply:damn dsw.. i guess i read everything wrong.. and i dont really know what im reading or how 2 read it after all.. got my hopes up way to soon.. but, i was talking to the guy thats "training" me at work right now 2day and we use a miller big blue 400 DC. stick. 7018's with 1/8 rods and maybe sum 3/32's if w/e is fairly thin. and  i know ive said on some threads uve replied to before that all ive used it stick. from work. with him teaching me. hes pretty good. got his 6g few years ago. and he was saying that right now i need 2/ wanna just stick, with stick. because thats all we use at work. and we wants me comfortable with it so i can start doing more work. said that it gives the most and best penetration outta all 3. i know mig is easier and faster but he said penetration will always be better with stick. so what about a decent/good DC/AC current stick welder then i could run y 230v off a gen if i wanted 2 that both the gen and welder wont bust my balls and my pocket? any help or ideas?