What size generator do I need

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I have a very old, but very large Lincoln welder, that requires 240. I don't at this time know exactly it's wattage requirements. I see conflicting information on the web regarding what size of generator I would need to run it. One says 9000 running watts is enough, another says I need at least 15,000. That's a big difference! Any other input would be great, thanks
Reply:The main thing that will determine generator size is how the welder will be used,,If you only TIG weld at 30 amps,, the watt requirement will be VERY low,, like only 3,000 watts,, or less,,100 amps of welding will mean the welder will draw much more wattage,, maybe 4,000 or 6,000 watts,,If you are gonna stick weld GIANT rods,, the size generator is going to grow,, a LOT!!  


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Originally Posted by SweetMK

The main thing that will determine generator size is how the welder will be used,,If you only TIG weld at 30 amps,, the watt requirement will be VERY low,, like only 3,000 watts,, or less,,100 amps of welding will mean the welder will draw much more wattage,, maybe 4,000 or 6,000 watts,,If you are gonna stick weld GIANT rods,, the size generator is going to grow,, a LOT!!  


Reply:Need to know size of welder.?What plan to weld?Do you have a generator?Odds are the 9,000watt well work.Dave

Originally Posted by Galej

I have a very old, but very large Lincoln welder, that requires 240. I don't at this time know exactly it's wattage requirements. I see conflicting information on the web regarding what size of generator I would need to run it. One says 9000 running watts is enough, another says I need at least 15,000. That's a big difference! Any other input would be great, thanks
Reply:The quality of the generator is also going to play a role here. If you have a generator with a weak voltage regulation system that doesn't produce clean power (i.e., low total harmonic distortion), it is going to take a LOT more generator to run the welder. I had this problem with my well pump. My 13K Briggs generator with 20% THD could barely start my well pump. My 6.5K inverter generator starts it with no sweat.Miller Multimatic 255
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Originally Posted by Louie1961

I have to disagree. Some Lincoln transformer machines are so inefficient that even at low amperage they require a rather large generator. https://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-z...ze-detail.aspxKeep in mind this is the guidance for their consumer grade machine that you can buy at Home Depot, not the 300+ pound Idealarc behemoths. It sounds like maybe the OP has one of the Idealarc machines. I have no idea what size generator is needed to run one of those, but I doubt it is going to be less than 10K watts.
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Originally Posted by Galej

I have a very old, but very large Lincoln welder, that requires 240. I don't at this time know exactly it's wattage requirements. I see conflicting information on the web regarding what size of generator I would need to run it. One says 9000 running watts is enough, another says I need at least 15,000. That's a big difference! Any other input would be great, thanks
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Originally Posted by SweetMK

My friend borrowed a Miller Thunderbolt AC only machine that I had at the time,,He successfully welded a trailer with that welder,, using a 4,500 watt (surge) generator,, so, actual real life welding says a small generator will work.The little buzz box welders connected to 10HP gas engines will weld 1/8 inch rods,, I had one of those,, also,,A 10HP Kohler K engine can not produce 10K watts,, (maybe 4,500 watts??)  and heck, that engine was hardly laboring when welding 1/8" rods,,,LOTS of people weld in their home on a 30 amp breaker, if using small rods,, bigger rods need a bigger breaker,, I have also done that with the Thunderbolt,,
Reply:The gen on welding machines have way more poop than they list.   But it would be cheaper to buy a import inverter that a cheap genset would run.
Reply:Not only that modern inverter will eeld from 120v. Lots more places you can weld but 1/8 6011 & 3/32 lo hy  run toasty can do a lot of work and nothing easier than 2 pass 7018 with that small rod.  Half nuke plant built with it.
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Originally Posted by Sberry

The gen on welding machines have way more poop than they list.   But it would be cheaper to buy a import inverter that a cheap genset would run.
Reply:I plugged a miller dialarc 250/250 into my 8,000 watt generator (miller bobcat 225nt) and it would only run 3/32" 7018 at about 100 amps without popping the breaker.My inverter welders run on much lower watt generators.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.