Mobile welding with inverter machine

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Who here is using an inverter welding machine as a mobile unit? Besides using a generator,how else do you power the inverter? Do you use customer supplied power,if so how do they feel about you doing that? I ask because I am thinking of the best cost solution to me to be able to offer mobile tig welding of aluminum and s/s. Having a toyota p/u and wanting to keep initial cost low, is it even feasible to think that I can use customer supplied power?
Reply:Does your machien run on 110 or 220? I doubt some cusomters would mind you running off there power but I just wouldn't want  to do it. I think it looks alot more professional when you pull up and you can do everything on your own. I wouldn't want to risk using some peoples power if something were to happen then they say you ran a welder off of it. I think a low cost generator would be your best bet or you can just have people bring there projects to you to repair till you can get a generator to run off of.Vantage 300 kubota ,miller 304 xmt ,lincoln ln 25 pro , ranger 305 G, plenty of other tools of the trade to make the sparks fly.
Reply:Gman, thanks for the reply, I have not purchased machine yet,are there many besides the miller that run on 110v? My concerns about customer supplied power is pretty much what you stated. Thanks for your input, Dean
Reply:I've done quite a bit of field (mobile) welding at my current job with inverters.As far as power, it really depends on what you intend to weld and where.The majority of stuff I've done has been repairing various stainless steel food preparation equipment and counters in restaurant and fast food kitchens. Since most of that stuff is 18-16 gauge thickness 110V inverter machines work perfectly. While I've occasionally used the shop's Miller Passport, I tend to prefer to use TIG so I'm not throwing sparks all over the kitchens. For TIG I use either my personal Miller Dynasty 200DX (110-480V input) or my personal Longevity LC-520 (110-220V input) though I usually use the Longevity machine more since it is much lighter and the torch trigger is far easier to use in cramped, wet kitchens than a foot pedal. When working in kitchens I pretty much always use the kitchen's electrical outlets (110V). However, these tend to be 15 amp circuits that have other things plugged into them, so welding anything thicker than gauge stainless can be very problematic. Also, if you ever find yourself welding in a commercial kitchen, especially fast food places, keep on the lookout for orange (or other colors) color coded outlets. These outlets are meant for running the computers, registers, and payment systems exclusively they provide very clean, battery-backuped power and are very sensitive to what is plugged into them, simply plugging a coffee maker into them can cause serious problems with the cash registers.As far as the restaurants caring about the power usage, they've never seemed to care,  the extra amount of power I use for the 45-60 minutes I'm there is barely a drop in the bucket compared to the amount of power they consume every day.If what you need to weld requires the higher power input of 220V (like aluminum) you can't count on the customer having that available, or even knowing what a 220V outlet is. In fact, it's better to assume that they have no comprehension of the amount of power needed to weld something, or any understanding whatsoever of the basics of electricity.When it comes to running inverters off generators, I've done that quite a bit, too.On one occasion I ran my Dynasty off the 220V output of the shop's Lincoln Ranger 250 running 1/8" 6010 and 7018 electrodes (110-130 amps output DC) while one of my co-workers was also running 1/8" electrodes of the weld output of the same Ranger.Another time I was using the Dynasty, welding on a ladder on the roof of a school about 200 ft. from the generator on the truck (Ranger GXT). We only had about 100 ft. of 220V 10 ga. extension cord so the last 100 ft. was adapted down and run through a 12 ga. 110V extension cord to the welder. Ran 3/32" 6010s all day with no problems.Different school, welding inside the library, modifying some steel handrails. Ran the Longevity at 220V off the Ranger 250, through 75 ft. of 220V cord adapted down to run through another 50 ft. of 110V cord. Welded for about 4 days at 180-200 amps.I've welded aluminum with the Dynasty running directly off the Lincoln engine-drives many times, but there was one job where we couldn't get the truck close enough to use the Lincoln so I had to run off the 220V output of a little (Coleman, I think) 5500W generator to weld some 1.5" x 1.5" x 1/4" aluminum angle. I was able to crank the Dynasty all the way up to 200A AC output, I could definitely hear the generator straining and I wouldn't want to run like that for very long, but it worked.Personally, I think inverters are great for mobile welding, they run just as well off grid power as they do off generator power. Keep a generator handy and don't rely on the customer having sufficient power, if they do, great! But they probably won't, and you don't want to show up to a job and look like an idiot because you can't find a place to plug in your tools.Last edited by Tensaiteki; 10-03-2010 at 04:10 PM.Visit Tensaiteki.com
Reply:I can't think of anyone that would mind you using their power, unless you come to chitcago. Seriously, when we had our wood floors sanded, they took the face off our panel and wired directly to the panel. They obviously knew what they were doing, so we didn't mind at all.But they did have plenty of length of power cable. I would get into the habit of finding out what is available when you go and look at the job, or if they call you, just ask if power is available. If not then rent a gen set. Unless you are looking for heavy duty power, I wouldn't think it would be a problem."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manI can't think of anyone that would mind you using their power, unless you come to chitcago. Seriously, when we had our wood floors sanded, they took the face off our panel and wired directly to the panel. They obviously knew what they were doing, so we didn't mind at all.But they did have plenty of length of power cable. I would get into the habit of finding out what is available when you go and look at the job, or if they call you, just ask if power is available. If not then rent a gen set. Unless you are looking for heavy duty power, I wouldn't think it would be a problem.
Reply:Hey WTF,I believe Tensaiteki kinda summed it up nicely. I do use a 7.5kw(8.75kw surge) generator on my mobile unit to power all my equipment. (3) of my welders & P/cutter are inverter & the 4th MIG is an older Miller130 transformer unit. I had my neighbor test my output with his elaborate equipment & related that my power was quite smooth. I have never had any issues with any of my equipment. Gensets can be found on CL quite inexpensively. I do strongly suggest you get at least 6.5kw running wattage, not surge wattage. Here's a  pic of my setup. I did add several 220v outlets for the plug configurations my units have. They work fine if you use them within their output parameters.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:I had a small repair job to do for a customer on a townhouse gate.  I asked about power availability and where the nearest connection was.  The gate was on the rear of the residence with alley way access.  The lady said there was an outlet on the ground level inside but she said it was pretty far away.  So instead of going with the 100ft 12/3 cord and hoping the circuit would support my Maxstar200, I had two choices.  First was drag the trailer with the Trailblazer over, and second was use my yamaha YG2800 genny.  I opted for option two and it worked fine.  My hand tools and welding machine fit in the back of my jeep and made parking in the alley a breeze.  This particular job did not warrant bringing out the big machine for 20 mins of work.   On two other occasions I have had the luxury of using my customers power connections.  Both situations (auto repairs) had plenty of power but the people did not own a welder. One was a dedicated 20A/ 120v and the other was a 50A/ 240v circuit.  My MM211 worked great on those jobs where I used GMAW to complete the work.I think having multi-voltage machines is a bonus if you are going to do small mobile jobs and you can use customer provided power connections.  If you have an inverter type machine you can make adapters for each connection type.  Just my .02Have a great day.BrianBrianLincoln Mig 215Miller 211Victor Torch SetMiller Maxstar 200SDMiller Syncrowave 250DX Tig runnerMiller Trailblazer 302 running on LPMiller Extreme 12 VS SuitcaseEllis 1600 BandsawMiller xmt350 CC/CVLincoln Vantage 300
Reply:My Passport, XMT and TA185 are all inverters and I use them regularly on the truck, powered from the Bobcat's 240v outlet.  Sometimes I plug the Passport into customer's 110v power for jobs that don't need high output from the machine that are a far distance from the Bobcat.  Customers have never complained about it.  If I think I might have to turn it up high enough to blow their likely 15 amp breaker, I plug into the Bobcat instead.  I often use customer's 110v power to run grinders and saws and I'm sure they appreciate not having to listen to my Bobcat screaming the whole time I'm there.  I fire it up for the welding and turn it off when I'm done.  It's usually only running for a short time compared to the total time I'm there, as prep work and clean up often take longer than the actual welding.Bobcats are excellent generators to power other inverter welding machines and other tools.  They are also about the most economical purchase you can make, as far as 10KW portable generators go.As far as ac/dc tig machines that can run on 220v generator power and 110v customer power, the Miller Diversion 180 and Dynasty 200 both fit that bill.  For dc-only tigs, the Maxstar 150 and 200 would be good choices.  Best choice in dual voltage migs is the Passport, with the MM211 a less expensive choice, at the cost of increased weight to carry to the job.  XMT CC/CV is the best multi process inverter for on site work.Last edited by DesertRider33; 10-03-2010 at 05:46 PM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Great info guys,just the kind of responses  I was looking to get. Tensaiteki I am looking at similar type of work with the s/s as you described,and also some aluminum work all done with TIG. Ilike your set-up yorkiepap real clean. Being on a tight budget what would you recommend equipment wise. If I can find a used miller I might pop for that, but I am leaning towards an everlast or longevity and it will be new. What do you like for generators
Reply:I use 5k / 4.5k cont. to power my 110/220v inverter.  I use customer power for tools.  Usually, I use the generator for 220 power to the welder.  You can't always depend on customer power (amps) to be dependable when welding.  It also power my lincoln 180c with no problem.  Previously, I used  a dc/ac inverter for power tools. and a Zena underhood welder.  Worked alright if the job was outside.
Reply:Hey Tensaiteki cool website.
Reply:A buddy of mine does a lot of TIG welding inside people's homes, working on solar hot water systems.  He routinely taps into their dryer connection, typically 220V 30 amp for an electric dryer.   I think that he just carries a collection of plugs, so he does not need to rewire anything in their house, just plug and unplug.  Electric ovens are another possibility.I don't even think that he has an inverter welder, although I have not seen it.  I think that it is an old welder.   But I would assume that 220V 30 amps would put out quite a few amps, regardless.  The inverters are more efficient, of course.I remember one time suggesting to a client that I could just tap into their power panel for 220V for my welder, but the wife was nervous about it, so I rented a generator/welder for the day, and billed him for the rental.RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:I just read this with my glasses on, I though you were asking about putting an inverter on your toyotaHave you ever looked at a Miller Wildcat or Bluestar?  You would have your generator with a decent stick machine to boot??Get one of those with a Diversion and you would be ready to work.  One thing to keep an eye one is the rating of the machine you are using and the recommended cord length.  I have seen guys get in trouble with this, they try to run 100ft cord to a tig/mig machine and find out the hard way that it doesn't work with that much cord out.TB 302 EFIESAB Migmaster 275MM 211 w/Spoolmate 100Hypertherm PlasmaMetal Master, Victor, and Smith TorchesUnihydro 45Wells BandsawArcair K2000Weldcraft Tig rigMiller 12VSLincoln PT 225No one can say I'm brand biased.
Reply:Hey Yorkiepap, I thought you mentioned somewhere you are from Pittsburgh.  If so, and you need an extra hand sometime, drop an email to [email protected].  I am a new member to the site, and I have learned a lot from you  and the other members.  Best, Ralph.