what generator to use for 50amp plasma cutter?

admin

Would a 15 amp 240v/30 amp 120v 3-4kw generator suffice?? I only plan on using the cutter at 10-15 amps for 1/8" carbon steel. Cutter is American made by Accurate Tools 1 yr warranty and cost same/cheaper than most 50A Chinese models dunno why most people buy Chinese. It is also a 200a tig/arc welder I can't stand welding so I don't plan to use that function for a few years if ever so what will work for me using the 50a cutter only at 10-15 amps? My house has a 50 amp breaker and I don't trust to use this with my fridge computer TV heaters etc. running it already shuts down when I try to microwave something. Anyways your time/help is very much appreciated thanks for any response -I apologize for being a newbie.
Reply:Its not American made. Its Chinese made.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:American assembled and tested I don't care where parts came from... can you help with the generator problem???
Reply:VOLTS X AMPS = WATTS so we will say  cutter needs 230 v 30 a  draw      230x30=6900 watt gen  in your app do the mathidealarc 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:Not out of my range but are you sure that's correct, how about if I stuck to 10 amp usage? It is 220v does that not mean 220vx15a=3300 watts or at 10a 220vx10a=2200 watts so a 4kw generator maybe 5 just to be safe would work fine if I never crank the nob past 15 amps is that correct? Thanks very much you've been a huge help.
Reply:Free Egg,They are not assembled here and I am familiar with them, unless they pop on the case to call it so. With only a year warranty, they are on the lowest rung of the ladder of the imported welders. However, the minimum amps will be 20 amps that you can adjust it down to. The unit will pull 40 amps or slightly more at startup on 220V.  So you can expect to need an 8500 watt generator. At twenty, it will need about 17 or so, just guessing.  But the issue is that you are wanting to seriously underpower a unit and it will cause problems. You don't look at the output, but rather the input.  It appears you are figuring the output.This is their prosperous website: http://www.accuratetools.com/Last edited by lugweld; 01-13-2011 at 10:58 PM.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:what does the cutter require for its input?the unit may need 4000+ watts to fire up and run it is the start surge that will  be the  questionidealarc 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:just remember you will need an air supply as well, that will draw lots of power also.what u wanna cut at 10A? 1/16 sheet?--------------------------------------------------------------www.becmotors.nlyup, I quit welding.. joined welder anonymous
Reply:best answer comes from the manufacturer.. why not call the customer setvice or tech support  guys?
Reply:It is an inverter so startup inrush should not be a concern.  It's not like saturating a transformer with its associated inrush current.  The kw input for the machine should be about 5-10% greater than the output because of the efficiency.  The machine should have a kw rating somewhere either on the nameplate or the manual.  The power used (cutting amps) should be proportional to the setting.  So if is a 5kw plasma system running at 50% of max, it should be 2500w.  There is really only one way to find out if your generator can handle it and that is to watch the voltage while the machine is in use.  Just my $.02Rene
Reply:I apologize, the seller and my good friend whom I previously thought was somewhat intelligent convinced me that Accurate Tools is USA made and tested I had no reason to doubt both. The word "China" is nowhere to be found on the unit or manual, for a good reason haha. As for a generator we[my family] just decided instead to move into a house with a better breaker so I can run it full power if I desire as we're paying too much rent at my current location for a house that ought to be demolished. I have a 13a air compressor I plan to run it with. I just need to make a few custom machine parts up to 1/8" then sell this to some other poor fool hopefully before it explodes. Wish me luck. Thread closed thanks all for the