Question On Generators???

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Is there a decent generator to power a Tig and Mig welder  at the box stores???
Reply:If the output of the generator matches the input requirements of the welder you should be fine.  I'd read your owners manual to make sure the unit is safe to run off a genny.  Some inverters with delicate electronics can apparently burn stuff out if the power source is producing "dirty" power.I tried to run my TA 161S off of a Honda 2200i inverter generator yesterday.  The little sucker ran 2 grinders at once with no problem, but I couldn't get one stick to light up.  Even with 3/32 6011/13-couldn't even get enough bead to make a tack.  Was highly disappointing.Guess I shoulda known.  60 volts x 50 amps = 3000 watts.Last edited by Drf255; 05-28-2013 at 04:54 AM.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Why not look around for a welder that's a generator also..Then you don't worry anymore about what generator you need for a welder......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255If the output of the generator matches the input requirements of the welder you should be fine.  I'd read your owners manual to make sure the unit is safe to run off a genny.  Some inverters with delicate electronics can apparently burn stuff out if the power source is producing "dirty" power.I tried to run my TA 161S off of a Honda 2200i inverter generator yesterday.  The little sucker ran 2 grinders at once with no problem, but I couldn't get one stick to light up.  Even with 3/32 6011/13-couldn't even get enough bead to make a tack.  Was highly disappointing.Guess I shoulda known.  60 volts x 50 amps = 3000 watts.
Reply:I could not get one single stick to run.  Just a real world experience.  It just won't work.Plugged same unit into a 110 outlet at home and ran just fine.Gonna borrow my buds 185 Bluestar to finish things up.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:As said you need to make sure the output is higher than what the welders will want to draw, plus usually a margin for error. Keep in mind small gensets are rated in surge wattage, not continuous wattage. A "3500 watt" genny might only put out 2800 watts continuous.Most inverter type welders have a lower wattage demand than transformer based welders. I can run my small Maxstar 200 from my  4500 watt genny, but I'd need a 12KW or larger unit to power my Thunderbolt XL, and I'd still be running at a lower output level..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:Someone told me that you should try to have twice the generator wattage,that the welder requires.Otherwise the generator will hunt wildly.At least that was the rumor.
Reply:Hey rah,If you want a superb gen that will handle most everything with ease, look at the Generac 8kw/10kw at Lowes. When my older 6kw/7.5kw gen finally died a couple years ago after 1750hrs of use on my mobile unit, I invested in this one. Smooth output, can use any of the welders, plasma, grinders with the air compressor running with no issues. A couple of my welders are inverter & this unit powers them excellent with no problems. Your budget dictates if you are willing to spend $1250. To me, this was a non-issue for my mobile needs & already paid itself off. Here's a couple pics....Denny Attached ImagesComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:My Miller bobcat (8000 watts aux power) will not run a plassma, small tig etc wher my trailblazer (10,000 watts aux power does)Drf555, where did you get the 60 volts in your calculation?  I assume you need to calculate on input voltage,Last edited by blackbart; 05-28-2013 at 10:48 AM.
Reply:From a post I wrote last year:Just for kicks one time we experimented with running small migs off normal generators (not high end like the Honda).We used a generator rated at 5500 watts to run migs that run on 20 amps. It did not go well. 5500 watts is approx 46 amps at 120 volts. But that's only 23 amps on each 120volt bank in the generator since it's a 120/240 generator (I looked up generator theory because of this experiment). The extra 3 amps was not enough. The settings that worked on shop current did not work when running off the generator. Everything was colder and the wire speed had to be turned down.Additionally, the generator could not react fast enough to start welding instantly like when on the shop outlet.Having said all that, this was a regular generator and standard welder. I have not tried it with inverter based systems on Honda generators. I will be interested in hearing how it works out for you.My bottom line for my equipment - just enough is not enough. Good thing I can use a gas engine welder
Reply:Hypertherm Powemax plasma systems have been tested on a variety of generators. There are ratings for partial output power and full "arc stretch"......which means this size generator will allow full output amperage on the thickest materials (load voltage).  Here is a chart that lists recommended generator sizes with systems and capabilities.I have used a Powermax 45 with full cutting power from my Miller Bobcat (8kW) on a few occasions.Jim Colt   Hypertherm Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by blackbartMy Miller bobcat (8000 watts aux power) will not run a plassma, small tig etc wher my trailblazer (10,000 watts aux power does)Drf555, where did you get the 60 volts in your calculation?  I assume you need to calculate on input voltage,
Reply:Originally Posted by blackbartMy Miller bobcat (8000 watts aux power) will not run a plassma, small tig etc wher my trailblazer (10,000 watts aux power does)Drf555, where did you get the 60 volts in your calculation?  I assume you need to calculate on input voltage,
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255For the electrically engineered minds. Why is the household current with seemingly less wattage able to run the welder when a genny with similar output cannot?
Reply:I'm still waiting for the development of a nuclear powered portable generator, the size of a nice toaster and where it can put out 12K's of power.   "Hey I didn't come to look and learn, I came to turn and burn.... If I can't light up, I'm gonna light out!"-JodyIdealarc 250 "Fatman"MM 252MM 211 "Little boy" Victor Torches
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1This is from a Motion Picture Lighting newsletter but the same theory applies to welding machines.The Simple answer:"To visualize why this is the case, imagine a birds eye view of a 1400 Amp Crawford Studio Unit parked on top of the Hoover Dam next to a Honda EX5500 portable gas generator with Barber Coleman frequency governor. If you had 2ks (2000watt) plugged into each power source and switched them on at once. Which generating source would be affected the most? The change in load would have no effect on the turbines of the hydroelectric generating plant. Given the force exerted by millions of gallons of water driving the turbines and the inertia of their mass, they would not be disturbed at all by a small load change."
Reply:I have an Elete Series 10k/12k portable gen that I use for my Lincoln 175 TIG welder. It runs this just fine but really works hard when I push the power up near the max that the welder can handle. 3/16 or 1/4 in alum.  I can only weld for a short time at this level with the air cooled torch anyway.The gen is pretty noisy when compared to a 3k gen or a Honda but if you need the power there is not much you can do that is not very expensive.I usually just leave the gen and welder in the back of the dually and use the long cables of the welder.I can drop the welder down and add another 30 of cord but the thing is too heavy for me to handle alone. I do have a swing arm winch for the truck but it is just more stuff to carry and set up.I also can load the welder in my goose neck trailer and run it from the truck so I'm pretty flexible.I really don't like to do the portable stuff anymore as I have to charge for time and travel so it gets pretty expensive for the streetrod and race car guys.  I make this very clear before we start out.  I don't do this stuff free or "nice guy" rates.  It's a lot of work to load things up.  I much prefer to have them bring their stuff to the shop even though I have to split the income with the shop owner.The Lincoln will take 42 amps put of the wall so your gen needs to be pretty doggone big to run this.An inverter welder would be much better....oh for a Dyanasty 200...haha
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255Got it.So it's the initial surge load that makes the difference.  The reserve is just much greater on a 15 amp circuit hooked up to a 200 amp service.  Makes sense.