Portable generators

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I plan to purchase a  Miller Thunderbolt XL 225/150 230v AC/DC welder someday soon and was wondering if anyone would know what size of generator I would need to run this in the field if I had to. It say's it requires 50 amp 230v service. I can find some portable generators with 230v but most seen to have a 30 amp breaker. They sell these things by the wattage they generate. (?) Could someone clue me in a little? Thanks!
Reply:Gonna need a big one.I'm not sure what you plan on welding, or how often you will need it in the field.  If you plan on doing much at all out in the field or in different locations, I would suggest an inverter type welder.  AC isn't really needed in my opinion, DC is usually preferred for stick, so a nice Miller Maxstar or some other similar welder might be just the ticket.  My Maxstar was $755 to my door if I remember correctly and it will do most of what the thunderbolt will do power wise, while using less juice and being a lot more portable.  It runs off 110 or 220 also.  It's only a 150 amp machine, but I've burnt a lot of rod, and I don't recall ever using larger than 1/8" rod or turning a stick welder up that high for anything other than just playing around.Others may disagree with my suggestion, but it would be wise to do some research yourself and decide just what you need to get the job done.  By the way, I was considering purchasing a thunderbolt, and have borrowed one in the past, but went with the Maxstar anyway because of the portability.Last edited by Boostinjdm; 09-14-2009 at 03:06 AM.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Just thought I'd add....If you don't already have a generator, the price difference could be made up between the Thunderbolt and the Maxstar when it comes time to buy one.  A smaller generator is usually easier to find, and a lot less money than a big one.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by Michael45. . . They sell these things by the wattage they generate. (?) Could someone clue me in a little? Thanks!
Reply:I use this http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...3+90401+524798To power my 400amp inverter. I have had the thing topped out and the generator kept right up. I would suggest leaving the generator on high idle so there is no delay from when you strike an arc to when the generator kicks in. I am not sure if it damages the welder or not but electric machines are designed to have the same amount of power at the ready at all times. Generac also makes a 17,500 unit. But my 15,000 works great for me. It also has a 50 amp 240v outlet.'Mike
Reply:[QUOTE=Boostinjdm;317714]Gonna need a big one.I'm not sure what you plan on welding, or how often you will need it in the field.  If you plan on doing much at all out in the field or in different locations, I would suggest an inverter type welder.  AC isn't really needed in my opinion, DC is usually preferred for stick, so a nice Miller Maxstar or some other similar welder might be just the ticket.  My Maxstar was $755 to my door if I remember correctly and it will do most of what the thunderbolt will do power wise, while using less juice and being a lot more portable.  It runs off 110 or 220 also.  It's only a 150 amp machine, but I've burnt a lot of rod, and I don't recall ever using larger than 1/8" rod or turning a stick welder up that high for anything other than just playing around.I took a look and liked what I saw. I doubt I will be welding anything bigger than 1/4" mild steel. This is a nice machine! Thanks for pointing it out to me.
Reply:Originally Posted by Michael45I plan to purchase a  Miller Thunderbolt XL 225/150 230v AC/DC welder someday soon and was wondering if anyone would know what size of generator I would need to run this in the field if I had to. It say's it requires 50 amp 230v service. I can find some portable generators with 230v but most seen to have a 30 amp breaker. They sell these things by the wattage they generate. (?) Could someone clue me in a little? Thanks!
Reply:I really like mine.  So far, the thickest I have welded with it is 3/4" plate on a ripper.  It held the leveling disks on the back end.  I did a three pass weld and have no reason to doubt it's strength.  The literature on the little welder don't quite do it justice size wise.  Here's a pic next to one of my helmets. Attached ImagesMy name's not Jim....
Reply:To power that Thunderbolt, you'll need a 10,000 watt generator.  May as well just buy  Bobcat 250 and kill 2 birds with one stone.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:"It appears that a 5000 or 6000 watt 230 VAC generator is large enough to operate my AC/DC 225/125 using a 1/8 inch diameter E6010. Please confirm. It does appear (if you do the math) that you should be able to use 1/8 in. and smaller diameter electrodes with an AC/DC 225/125 powered by a 5000 or 6000 watt generator. Unfortunately, the design of the transformer on the AC/DC 225/125 is not efficient enough to be powered by a small generator. If you try and weld with this combination you will most likely experience the electrode being hard-to-strike and also the electrode frequently sticking to the work. If you are fortunate to establish an arc, the arc will tend to pop out frequently. Also, there will not be adequate heat input to the work, resulting in low weld quality (poor fusion), and poor bead appearance.To successfully run your AC/DC 225/125 welder you would need a minimum of a 15,000 watt AC generator."http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowl...generators.aspEd 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:Those generac generators are all over craigslist for fairly cheap money. If you already have the welder then buying the generator is your ebst bet for my money. In my industry(structural steel erection) most of the bigger jobs are electric welders driven by a massive generator.  Plus you can use that generator to power other fun and handy items like a plasma cutter or other hand tools and power tools that a gas drive welder may not be able to operate. 'Mike
Reply:Most gas drive welders have quite a bit of auxilliary generator power, unless  you're talking about an SA200 or an older machine with less than 3500 watts of AC power, or no AC power at all.  Bobcats, Trailblazers and Rangers all put out quite a bit of generator power.My Bobcat puts out 10,000 watts 240 volts 44 amps of generator power while not welding.  It runs my Passport, MM175, Powermax380, XMT 304, PowCon 300SM, helper's MM211 and I've even run my Dialarc HF from it.  It will run a Thunderbolt too.That said, I would not want to drag a Thunderbolt around on mobile jobs.  If I didn't have my own power on the truck, I would want a small inverter like a Maxstar 150 or 200 and plug into customer's power, or use it with a small portable generator (5000 watts).MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33That said, I would not want to drag a Thunderbolt around on mobile jobs.  If I didn't have my own power on the truck, I would want a small inverter like a Maxstar 150 or 200 and plug into customer's power, or use it with a small portable generator (5000 watts).
Reply:That little Maxstar 150 sure is a cutie.     I could have used a 150STH today on a restaurant repair we did.  I used the XMT cause that's all I have for tig on the truck, but that little 150 would sure have been easier to  port.  Usually the XMT stays on the truck and I run stick leads, or the control cable for the Suitcase, so I dont have to heft it around much.  Working in that cramped up space with people going back and forth, the little 150 would have felt right at home.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Size does matter.My name's not Jim....