Questions on WeldanPower

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Hey dereI got a Code 8928 Serial 141040360 Weldanpower CV welder that runs sweet. On the  AUX power outlets for the 230 Volts it says 13 AMPS output each, 26 total. So my idea is to use it to run basic power for the home ,as the Well, fridge, next time we get hit in the rear with another storm. I live in Il. !LOL So I am thinking of hooking up one of them safety switches, to make sure nothing blows. I would invite ideas as to how to best make this rig work. Not interested in buying another machine and no money for that anyhow. I know that it ain't a gonna run any central ac compressor, just the basics. Thanks for helping
Reply:Are you talking about a transfer switch to shift between the gen set and the incoming power?.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:DSW;That's right, and the other is the "Interlock Kit" that is online. Need to know if these work good, or ideas as to what is the hot setup to not blow up.
Reply:I prefer full load transfer switches that transfer the entire house load to the generator BUT seeing as you're only going to have 26A (5980 watts) available, a dedicated circuit transfer switch unit such as this one http://cgi.ebay.com/EmerGen-Generato...item20bb0be080 would be the better way to go IMO.  A 25A rating would be even better.  All you have to do is identify the critical circuits that you want powered by the generator and contect to those.Another thing to consider is changing out all your light bulbs to the low energy type.  Between Rita and Ike, we changed all ours out and during the power outage following Ike the generator load was significantly reduced making power available to more appliances.  In addition, now that we have a gas cooktop instead of the old Jenn-Air electric, the only thing the Bobcat can't start is the 5 ton central air.Last edited by duaneb55; 07-16-2011 at 07:00 PM.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Here's another one that looks applicable although I have no experience with the brand nor any idea of the quality.http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-RELIAN...item2a1259f2c6MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:In a pinch I just throw the main and shut off the incoming power. The down side is if you forget you'll blow the machine if the power comes on, and the linemen get real cranky if you are backfeeding the grid. My sub panel in the garage is set up so that I can isolate it from the main and back feed it from my welding outlet. Eventually I'll run lines to it to feed critical circuits like the furnace and hotwater heater ( both gas but need 110v power for the vents to run as well as the fan.), freezer/fridge circuit and a few lights that are easy to pull off the existing circuits like the overhead kitchen light and bedroom lights.I'v got a friend who's a PECO lineman. We were talking about this a few years back after a big storm that left many without power for days. He was mentioning all the gen set he could hear blowing when they put the fuses back in or replaced a transformer. He said they regularly just cut the feed lines to homes with gensets if they have to work on a pole thats near that house. Snip, snip and a note that they cut the lines because of back feed issues. He suggested I pull the meter instead if I needed to supply emergency power to a house. He said they just toss a meter on the lugs and if the house is dead they just pop the meter back on and move on to the next house. If not they leave a note to contact them to have the meter reinstalled and that power was restored..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:At present I HAVE to pull the meter as the moron that rewired our house years ago (long before we bought it) has two breaker panels feeding independently off the meter box so in order to power up the whole house I have to feed the original panel that's in the garage from the panel on the side of the house where I connect the generator using the load side of the meter box as a junction.  Not a problem as Entergy encourages pulling the meter when using stand-by generators where automatic or manual transfer switches aren't being used.As for backfeeding the grid, a typical stand-by generator is going to remain on line more than the split second it takes to trip the outlet breaker due to overload if the main service entrance breaker isn't opend before connecting the unit.  Granted, the grid will be charged with high voltage from backfeeding the transformer and this is the concern of and danger to linesmen - that split second the grid is charged if they happen to be in contact with it.Now, if the generator doesn't have breaker protection - as would be the case if Horvik connects his Weldanpower up for stand-by as shown in the manual - and is connected to the grid, then the unit will just lug down until it fries an output lead or worse a stator winding.  If incomming grid lines are disconnected at the pole, I guarantee the power company will win the fight if the generator is connected and main service entrance breaker isn't open when the fuse switche(s) are closed at the pole. Years ago I had a power company guy stop one night to make sure I wasn't backfeeding as our house was the only one for miles with lights.  I was polite and showed him the setup so he'd know for himself and assured him my little 6.5 Kohler couldn't possibly power up the entire town if it were still connected at which he replied he just wanted to make sure. MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:This is a decent site if a guy wants to do things the right way with the smaller gensets. Not that I have done mine the right way, just in case I decide I should. Here the PoCo (PG&E) likes to see a visible disconnect means for residence is all. That being a visible disconnect that they have easy access to. http://www.gen-tran.com/eshop/10Expa...uctCode=30116V"The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:That's similar to the two I posted links for only it supports 115V circuits only - which would be fine for many applications.  However, if your well pump is 230V then. . . The advantage to the dedicated circuit type transfer switches is you don't have to open the main service entrance breaker when on generator power as the generator is only powering the selected dedicated circuits thru the transfer switch and not backfeeding the breaker panel thru the individual breakers.  As a result, any non-transferred circuit will come back on line alerting the homeowner when grid power is restored.Unfortunately I wouldn't be able to use one of these units as my breaker panels (three of them - five counting the two shops) are too far apart to make it practical.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Hey dere;Appreciate the good help from all of you good duys. Duane; are you saying that the transfer switch will then ISOLATE me from the grid with my Weldanpower, so in the end all is safe? In short, whatever is wired into the transfer switch, will not in any way be affected when the juice comes back on? Just trying to get a handle on it.
Reply:Hey dere;Here is that kit I mentioned above, know nothing about it. How about you? http://www.interlockkit.com/faq.htm
Reply:Originally Posted by HorvikHey dere;Appreciate the good help from all of you good duys. Duane; are you saying that the transfer switch will then ISOLATE me from the grid with my Weldanpower, so in the end all is safe? In short, whatever is wired into the transfer switch, will not in any way be affected when the juice comes back on? Just trying to get a handle on it.
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55That's similar to the two I posted links for only it supports 115V circuits only - which would be fine for many applications.  However, if your well pump is 230V then. . . The advantage to the dedicated circuit type transfer switches is you don't have to open the main service entrance breaker when on generator power as the generator is only powering the selected dedicated circuits thru the transfer switch and not backfeeding the breaker panel thru the individual breakers.  As a result, any non-transferred circuit will come back on line alerting the homeowner when grid power is restored.Unfortunately I wouldn't be able to use one of these units as my breaker panels (three of them - five counting the two shops) are too far apart to make it practical.
Reply:Transfer switches come in two basic types. manual and automatic.With a manual switch, you have to select which power feeds your house. and when.The automatic switch detects when the power fails. starts your generator, then switches the house to the generator. Soon as line power is back on it switches back and tells the generator to shut down. All by its self.
Reply:Originally Posted by Sandy  I got busted during our last power outage ealier this year. I had the lil woman all set up with a propane latern and an extension cord and she looked out at the garage and saw all the lights on and the welder flashing away. I heard about that for a month.   She came out and asked me if the power had come back on. I did the deer in the headlights thing.
Reply:Even tho I don't do as I say I don't want to play down the benefit for a means to force the main off prior to connecting a whole house genset at all. I could be classed as a hypocrite on this particular subject.  As Duane mentioned it's highly unlikely that the average portable will be able to do any substantial backfeed before its breaker trips or it pukes, but better safe than sorry if at all feasible. I've got a 7500 run and 12,000 peak that only lasts about ten seconds in a backfeed scenario but ten seconds could be enough to cause serious injury to an unsuspecting worker. Don't ask how I know this but chit does happen. We all get a brain fart every now and then. One thing to consider is in more densely populated areas it very normal for two or more drops to come off the same xformer so for that instant or brief moment you would also be backfeeding to their house or them to yours. So the basic advice is to follow the codes inasmuch as possible. If not then operate as safe as you possibly can, write a procedure, memorize it, paste it in the panel, make yourself knowledgeable about your particular environment.Last edited by Sandy; 07-17-2011 at 01:41 AM."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Originally Posted by ccawgcTransfer switches come in two basic types. manual and automatic.
Reply:Hey dere;Thanks gusy for the GOOD advice. Duane, Looked at that link you had on the fleabay site, for the decicated setup manual transfer switch, at 30 AMPS max. And the procedure a man got to have burned in the front of his head so that nothing goes BANG! LOL Just don't have the jack right now to spring fro a generac. I did the 'select your needs" thjing on that site and they say recommend a 25Kw baby. that's 10 grand, unit only. . Could get a heck uva welder for that. all the best
Reply:I would just buy a couple of good heavy cords and just plug in what you need. Problem with homes is that  multiple things share breakers and it would be difficult to control load. Plus dont have to worry about the linesman. I know a couple that have been knocked off a pole because of farmers pto generators a 1/4 mile away.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:Originally Posted by Horvik. I did the 'select your needs" thjing on that site and they say recommend a 25Kw baby. that's 10 grand, unit only. .
Reply:I turn off the main breaker and also the dedicated breakers for all of the high current loads except for the well pump and the refrigerator and then I back feed a welder outlet in the garage from the Bobcat welder on the truck. I live on the end of a peninsula on a small (250 acre) lake with a highway crossing bridges on the side of the lake opposite my house, so my house is visible to a very large area. I get a kick out of showing off during power failures by turning on at least one light in each room of the house plus all of the outside lights. My place is always a bright glow in the surrounding complete darkness.CharleyMiller MM252Miller Bobcat 225NTMiller DialArc HF / DIY Cooler2 Victor O/A TorchsetsMilwaukee 8" Metal SawMilwaukee Dry Cut "Chop" Saw 5 Ton Wallace Gantry Various Grinders, Benders, etc.
Reply:Hey;I imagine your way of disconnecting at the main breaker in the service panel will get the job done.I need to find a bigger gas tank that the 1-1/2 GAL or so the Weldanpower comes with. Any ideas?
Reply:I looked around, the tank is tiny.... Couldn't find squat that wouldn't be a hack job. Well, maybe you have an Onan, maybe it has a fuel pump? My Briggs is stuck with gravity feed...Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55I prefer full load transfer switches that transfer the entire house load to the generator BUT seeing as you're only going to have 26A (5980 watts) available, a dedicated circuit transfer switch unit such as this one http://cgi.ebay.com/EmerGen-Generato...item20bb0be080 would be the better way to go IMO.  A 25A rating would be even better.  All you have to do is identify the critical circuits that you want powered by the generator and contect to those.Another thing to consider is changing out all your light bulbs to the low energy type.  Between Rita and Ike, we changed all ours out and during the power outage following Ike the generator load was significantly reduced making power available to more appliances.  In addition, now that we have a gas cooktop instead of the old Jenn-Air electric, the only thing the Bobcat can't start is the 5 ton central air.
Reply:Originally Posted by MadMax31I looked around, the tank is tiny.... Couldn't find squat that wouldn't be a hack job. Well, maybe you have an Onan, maybe it has a fuel pump? My Briggs is stuck with gravity feed...Originally Posted by Broccoli1http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...ct_20872_20872hack job?What kinda weldor are you?
Reply:You could just weld up a new tank- put a new Pet **** on it or use the one off the Old tankEd 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:I dont know why I never thought of that.... Good callLincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Duanne,that is a 4-wire 120v/240v Transfer switch- how is he gonna pull anuetral through the WeldenPower's 240v receptacle?