Generator to run welder.

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What size generator would i need to be able to run a Lincoln Ideal arc 400 or a welder of similar size?
Reply:Might as well look to buy a welder/generator rather then bother looking for a genny .
Reply:Have the generator already, its a 7500 titan diesel. Looking at buying a lincoln ideal arc 400.
Reply:gonna take a lot more than 7500w to run that at 400 amps....plus isn't that a 3 phase welder and a single phase generator?
Reply:Input on the 400 is 60 hz and my generator is 60hz
Reply:And i doubt ill touch 400 with it
Reply:Originally Posted by Weldin to liveInput on the 400 is 60 hz and my generator is 60hz
Reply:3 phase
Reply:Stupid question time- What difference does it make?
Reply:Originally Posted by Weldin to liveStupid question time- What difference does it make?
Reply:i simply asked because i did not know if mine was sufficient for the task at hand.
Reply:Volts X Amps = Wattswhat does welder require?  input poweridealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:prop doc- in this case it doesnt matter what the welder requires for power...its a 3 phase welder and 1 phase genny.
Reply:so it aint gonna work
Reply:No you cannot run a three phase machine on a single phase generator.Ranger 250 GXTSmith Gas Axe
Reply:Originally Posted by Weldin to liveso it aint gonna work
Reply:You can do it, it's not impossible.  You'll need a phase converter to convert the generator's single phase to three phase.  I've never priced them but I'd bet dollars to doughnuts they are pretty pricey (possibly as much as it would cost to get a smaller single-phase welder).Lincoln AC225 & MigPak 140, Lincoln Magnum SpoolGun, Miller Spectrum 375-X Plasma, Syncrowave 200 TIG, Millermatic 252 MIG, Miller Digital Elite, General 7x12" horiz/vert bandsaw, 3' box/pan brake, 20 ton press, milling machine, 12x28 lathe, etc.
Reply:Since you already have the genny you might as well look for a inverter in the 200 to 250 amp range, like a CST 280, Maxstar 200  or Thermal arc 201ts.
Reply:The spec sheet says the input requirements to weld at 400 amps and 36 volts (max output) on that machine is 230/460/3/60 74/37A.  That means if your line voltage is 230 volts then you need 74 amps, or 17kw.  If your line voltage is 460v then you need 37 amps, or 17kw.  The 3/60 means it needs 3 phase power @ 60 hertz.My theory on welding from a generator is to oversize the generator and its engine so it will put out the current you're using for as long as you intend to weld and still remain cool and calm.  No one likes to hear a generator strain to keep up.  The extra amount of output I like is about double what I know I will be using.On my 200D conversion machine I knew I needed around 220 amps at 32 volts welding output to do my job and at those setting my XMT350 is about 92% efficient.  At that welding output my generator is about 80% efficient.  So 220a x 32v = 7kw + 8% = 7.6kw + 20% = 9.5kw actual draw on my power plant.  My generator and engine combination can put out over 20kw of good clean power in the real world so its only running about 50% or less at my max draw settings.  It sounds good and everything stays nice and cool.   A pretty nice setup to say the least.If I were to try and weld with a 7.5kw 3 phase generator I could not get anywhere near the heat I need because I'd run out of generator first.  The generator would not take me for long because the heat buildup and draw would probably gut it.  @ 7.5kw 3 phase I could run a max of only 170 amps @ 32 volts and the generator would be screaming for mercy even at that.  The line voltage would probably be dropping and its engine would be lugging.  None of that sounds pretty to me especially on a welding machine.   Figure in my 50% oversize rule and now I could run only 85 amps @ 32 volts or a kinda cold 1/8 5P rod.  Not much of a welding machine IMO.  Good luck manLast edited by slowhand; 09-07-2011 at 07:03 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Weldin to livei simply asked because i did not know if mine was sufficient for the task at hand.
Reply:I won't tell you that Running 3 phase welders is different than running single phase version...... you must have access to good 3 phase power, and that is a problem to say the least.A shop welder that requires 3 phase electricity you either haft to have access to 3 phase power from the utility company ($$$$$) or buy a 3 phase generator.  Again $$$$$.  Either way money is involved.  At some point you must ask yourself if you really need a 3 phase welder... lolI do and I like mine very much.  Actually I have 2 portable engine driven 3 phase welding machines and they both are great machines and they both make me happy welding with them,  so to me they are worth it.  And in my profession a single phase machine just wouldn't cut it.  (I weld xray cross country pipelines for a living).The better you understand and prepare for your purchases the better off you will be in the end.  Learn, read and understand and your steps will be the right ones.Good luck man
Reply:talk to a lincoln rep. i talk to a miller rep. about running a mm251 off a generator and he said no
Reply:Originally Posted by ed mactalk to a lincoln rep. i talk to a miller rep. about running a mm251 off a generator and he said no
Reply:Originally Posted by BCTimberwolfed mac you're pushing bad information. Here is your post that you asked this specific questionhttp://www.millerwelds.com/resources...on-a-generatorOf course it is possible. Nothing magical inside a mm251...it just requires more wattage to run full out than one of the lower end millers can provide. As long as you have a clean sine wave genny capable of the wattage you're good to go.
Reply:Lotsa good Rangers and Bobcats around for sale right now.  Sure sounds cheaper and way less complicatedi've run my handler 187 off of my 5.5kw (running watts) at 7/70 and you can hear it bog down just a little.  not much but noticeable.i think that 400 amps will be tripping breakers.  hope you get it figured out.