Portable Welding Using a Generator and Stick Welder

admin

I have a Lincoln AC/DC buzzbox type stick welder that I want to put on a trailer along with a multi fuel portable generator. I would probably use propane as the primary fuel, as I have two 100 lb. tanks, and gas as the backup fuel. I don't know how the welder would hold up being on a trailer. What size (KW) generator would I need to power the welder?  Any and all recommendations and comments will be appreciated.Bob
Reply:You will need to post up the make and model of your welder so as to be able to figure up what your power needs for it will be, to determine the size generator you will need to run it. Can't be much help without that info.
Reply:Lincoln tells you that you need a 15KW genny to make one of those AC/DC buzz boxes of their work right.http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...ze-detail.aspx.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:As mentioned, the Buzzboxes just put to much hurting' on little generators- yes a 15kw is little The reason they'll work on the same type of circuit in yer geerage is because the generator powering yer home circuit is the POWER plant generator. The Buzzbox then is just a little bitty thing on the system.Ed 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:If you were going to buy a generator to do this,  why not buy a generator/welder.Eventual master of the obvious, practitioner of "stream of consciousness fabrication".  P.S. I edit almost every post because because I'm posting from my phone and my fingers sometimes move faster than my brain.
Reply:Inverter welders are more efficient for the setup you are looking at doing. I have a 10kw with a Honda vtwin engine on it, powers everything inverter based that I own.  I have a very long 8 gauge extension cord roughly 200 ft that I can spool out plus another couple hundred feet of lead. I bought the Miller Maxstar because it runs so nice on this combo, plus I can carry it around.ESAB Rebels 215 and 235, ESAB HELIARC 281i, ESAB ET 301i, Hypertherm 85 and 45XP, Thermal Arc 185, TD 60i, HTP PRO PULSE 300
Reply:I know from experience that a 250/250 idealarc will kill a 9500w generator as soon as you hit the switch. I had to try it thinking I had this bad a$$ generator now. LOL, not bad enough for big boy welder.Thermal Arc 210 - Tweco 211I - Cutmaster 52
Reply:Originally Posted by oldudbobI have a Lincoln AC/DC buzzbox type stick welder that I want to put on a trailer along with a multi fuel portable generator. I would probably use propane as the primary fuel, as I have two 100 lb. tanks, and gas as the backup fuel. I don't know how the welder would hold up being on a trailer. What size (KW) generator would I need to power the welder?  Any and all recommendations and comments will be appreciated.Bob
Reply:I have a 10kw generator that runs my 210mp and dynasty with room to spare, but it would never run a transformer buzz box.   I have a Bobcat 250 on my welding truck, which is basically the same size generator, but have been seriously thinking about swapping out the 10kw generator for a 15, getting an xmt and replacing the bobcat.  It would take up less space on the truck, weigh less and be far more versatile.   But I imagine that 15kw generator would be barely enough to run a buzz box on the upper end
Reply:I briefly worked on a farm a couple years ago and they had an 8K Generac generator in the back of a John Deere Gator and we ran a little Hobart AC buzz box as well as a Thermal Arc 181i inverter off it often and had zero issues producing enough current. The Hobart machine was similar to the AC Miller Thunderbolt 180ish amp welder.Just been my experience.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:My Miller "61" AC buzzbox welder welds fine w/5K Coleman home center purchased generator. My Lincoln AC/225 buzzbox does not. The Miller machine is 15 years or so older than the Lincoln which was new in 1974 when I purchased it new.SlobPurveyor of intimate unparalleled knowledge of nothing about everything.Oh yeah, also an unabashed internet "Troll" too.....
Reply:My truck also has a 5000 watt generator under the hood that's driven off the engine.  It will run my 210mp on thinner stuff and will run maxstar 150's without a problem, I've never ran the dynasty off of it, but I'm sure it will do it on the smaller stuff.  Inverter welders are the way to go if you're running off a generator
Reply:You guys answered my question. I thanks all of you for your input and advise.  I guess I will probably purchase a welder/generator.  Its prime use would be as a backup source of electricity.  However, it would also be nice to be able to do some welding away from my shop.  I also have a Lincoln 100amp fluxcore wire welder and a plasma torch.  Would I be able to power these with a welder/generator.  Both the wire welder and the plasma torch will operate on 120V.Bob
Reply:The engine drive welder should run each of those without an issueSent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:Don't waste your money on generators and buzz boxes, go buy a hobart champion elite 10,000 watt generator/250 amp welder for a little over $3000.00. In my area the Hobart is selling for around $3,100 new.
Reply:Originally Posted by kctgbDon't waste your money on generators and buzz boxes, go buy a hobart champion elite 10,000 watt generator/250 amp welder for a little over $3000.00. In my area the Hobart is selling for around $3,100 new.
Reply:Hobarts are nice inexpensive units, but they won't run a feeder well. If you are thinking about a feeder in the future, you'll really want a CC/CV capable unit like a Bobcat.One thing to remember about "small" gensets is that they are listed at "Surge" wattage, not continuous use. Typically a "11kw" genset like a Bobcat/Hobart will have a continuous rating of about 9.5kw..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:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveNorthern tool also sells them with free shipping.
Reply:Tractor Supply around here has them for right at $3000 as well.  The look to be pretty decent machines, especially if your main need is a generator
Reply:kctgb - I wouldn't be afraid of buying one if I needed it. Backup power is almost laughable here though - we get flickers and stuff, may be out for an hour or two couple times a year. Nothing major really.If a person needed a cc/cv unit, the miller machine is only about $300-$400 more.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 thought the newer version of the champion elite had cc/CV. The last time I was at fleet I was looking at them and I thought it said cc/CV on the face plate. I might be wrong on that tho. To me the newer champion elite looks like the older version of the bobcat, It has a good duty cycle for a small unit. I'm with you mindave, if I needed it I wouldn' hesitate to buy it.
Reply:If you are thinking of buy a gen-set of any type I would look into the ones running at 1800 rpm and a diesel engine. First off the generator part would be a 4 pole unit and heavier build than the cheapies that are being sold for backups or portables. They also are able to handle surge loads much better too. lastly they are a lot quieter to run.Klutch 220si mig , stick, and dc tigHobart 140 AHP ALPHA 200X 2016Lotos LTP5000DSmith O/P