Running miller 200dx off Generator

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I'm about to buy a small generator to power my miller 200DX tig Can it run off any generator or does it have to be a Honda. Inverter type to not burn out the  miller ?I was looking at Generator EU3000IS   But its not 220 so I would be low on power. Which is kinda ok ? Would this work ? Or is it ok to just get a a Home Depot one ?
Reply:Originally Posted by Bigrich954rrI'm about to buy a small generator to power my miller 200DX tig Can it run off any generator or does it have to be a Honda. Inverter type to not burn out the  miller ?I was looking at Generator EU3000IS   But its not 220 so I would be low on power. Which is kinda ok ? Would this work ? Or is it ok to just get a a Home Depot one ?
Reply:Originally Posted by Bigrich954rrI'm about to buy a small generator to power my miller 200DX tig Can it run off any generator or does it have to be a Honda. Inverter type to not burn out the  miller ?I was looking at Generator EU3000IS   But its not 220 so I would be low on power. Which is kinda ok ? Would this work ? Or is it ok to just get a a Home Depot one ?
Reply:Originally Posted by dave powelsonWhat is the max. input amps of the 200?The generator will need to be sized larger than that-maybe 40% or moreto avoid it getting 'pulled' down by the welder.
Reply:i know i would need 220 to get max amps out of the miller but i only plan on doing light work with the little generator reason i was looking at the honda was it runs at only 60dbs so it should be super quiet  and it inverter base so its safe for all computers and things. would it be ok to run the miller off a home depot generator cheaper ones ? the honda one will give me 27 amps at 120 most ill be welding it 1/8 steel  on this thingLast edited by Bigrich954rr; 07-01-2013 at 05:46 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bigrich954rri know i would need 220 to get max amps out of the miller but i only plan on doing light work with the little generator reason i was looking at the honda was it runs at only 60dbs so it should be super quiet  and it inverter base so its safe for all computers and things. would it be ok to run the miller off a home depot generator cheaper ones ? the honda one will give me 27 amps at 120 most ill be welding it 1/8 steel  on this thing
Reply:i like the home depot one but will that be ok for my miller welder ? plus i like that its cheaper  i was looking at this if i dont get the honda  http://www.generac.com/Portables/XGSeries/XG8000E/i really wanted the qiuetness of the honda
Reply:Isn't the 200DX a $2500 welder?Call Miller and ask for their pick and go with it.  Too much money riding on the line I would think.For kicks once, I tried running a standard 130 amp 120volt mig off a 5000/6250 generator (not Honda) and it worked poorly.Too much line fluctuation so the arc was cold and unstable.Generator couldn't deliver the inrush current nor stay stable enough for the welder to function properly.Dave J.Last edited by MinnesotaDave; 07-01-2013 at 07:45 PM.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveGenerator couldn't deliver the inrush current nor stay stable enough for the welder to function properly.
Reply:I have wondered, though, if one could get away with pedal TIG on a generator. Presumably, the inrush current is much less when you strike an arc at 10 amps and then ramp up to your working current.Everlast PA160-STH... and that's about it!
Reply:That looks like a good explanation Joshua.Your idea on TIG with a generator is interesting.Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:I looked over the miller website and forums. i called and emailed miller  waiting to here back more. but have been told a genny is fine for the 200dx. There are many people running it off 5-6500 watts .I went out and got a 8k/10k wat genny  so i should have plenty of power. i just cant use the low idle mode
Reply:The inrush current sounds like a good explanation.I can tell you that I couldn't strike or maintain an arc with 3/32 6011/6013 at 50 amps off a Honda 2200i inverter.  That was with my TA161S inverter.  It just wouldn't happen.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Hey rich,Get the Generac.....worth every penny. Smooth, clean output, elec. start, & runs everything on my mobile unit with ease. My plasma cutter draws the most at 33A & the gen handles the p-cutter with the compressor running with no issues. My (3) inverter welders never had a problem with the Generac's output. I bought it when my orig. unit finally gave up after 1750hrs because it was the highest rated. Here's my setup....Denny Attached ImagesComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Originally Posted by Bigrich954rrI went out and got a 8k/10k wat genny  so i should have plenty of power. i just cant use the low idle mode
Reply:Originally Posted by yorkiepapHey rich,Get the Generac.....worth every penny. Smooth, clean output, elec. start, & runs everything on my mobile unit with ease. My plasma cutter draws the most at 33A & the gen handles the p-cutter with the compressor running with no issues. My (3) inverter welders never had a problem with the Generac's output. I bought it when my orig. unit finally gave up after 1750hrs because it was the highest rated. Here's my setup....Denny
Reply:I got the xg8000e too. how did you hook up the welder to it used only 3 wires for 220volts ? the genny has 4 wires  on the 30 amp plug and came with a cord the splits to 4 120 outlets .I would like a cord with  1 220volt oulet and 2 120volts Can you use 220 and 120 at the same time ? Do you have any pics of the wire set up ? Thank you I love this genny works great welding on 120 volt but I need to find a way to run the welder off 220 and the water cooler off 120 ?  every one I talk to just stares at me blank
Reply:Originally Posted by Bigrich954rrI got the xg8000e too. how did you hook up the welder to it used only 3 wires for 220volts ? the genny has 4 wires  on the 30 amp plug and came with a cord the splits to 4 120 outlets .I would like a cord with  1 220volt oulet and 2 120volts Can you use 220 and 120 at the same time ? Do you have any pics of the wire set up ? Thank you I love this genny works great welding on 120 volt but I need to find a way to run the welder off 220 and the water cooler off 120 ?  every one I talk to just stares at me blank
Reply:I would just run a 12g 120v extension off one of the 120v receptacles to power up the cooler.You could make it work off one cord but requires a little more wok to make a box to house a 6-50 240v and a 5-15r 120vEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Thank you   very much .so X to W  will give me 120 volt right ?
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1I would just run a 12g 120v extension off one of the 120v receptacles to power up the cooler.You could make it work off one cord but requires a little more wok to make a box to house a 6-50 240v and a 5-15r 120v
Reply:Originally Posted by Bigrich954rrI think my genny shuts off the 120 outlets when I turn on the  twist lock plug . other wise I would just do  what you are saying.I really don't know as I just got this thing and just used it for hour to weld some thing in the field
Reply:Originally Posted by Bigrich954rrThank you   very much .so X to W  will give me 120 volt right ?
Reply:thank you very much.
Reply:From experience, Ed's right. We got the Generac GP7500 Electric Start Portable Generator from HD and while I don't know about TIG, it powers my MIG and grinder and everything else off the back of our JD Gator all over the ranch. Much of the permanent corral material is heavy, 3" oil field pipe top rail and posts and the HD generator runs everything all day long without a hiccup.I've run my dynasty 200dx off a 8000 watt genny plenty of times with no issues. I'll give you some advice.  Do not turn on your dynasty till the genny is wide open and turn welder off before you turn the genny off.I was told this by a Miller tech and he said doing otherwise can cause catastrophic failure.