Generator for Eastwood 180? Predator 9000?

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Totally new to welding. I need to weld some cattle corrals and general farm use. I purchased an Eastwood MIG 180.  Question: will the Harbor Freight Predator 9000 with 7250 continues watts run this welder ? I was going to buy a Champion or Firman 11,500 with 9,200 continues watts, but they are on back order.  Or am I better off waiting 2 months for the other generators? Thanks
Reply:It might, but I wouldn't chance it. The 9000 is not an inverter generator nor a low THD (i.e., "clean power") generator. There's a possibility that the 9000 generator would fry the electronics in your inverter based MIG welder. I would look for something with low THD and/or an inverter based generator to run that welder. https://generatorbible.com/ is a great resource for finding the right generator for the job. Of the Harbor Freight units, I would go with either the Predator 9500 or the Predator 8750. There are cheaper alternatives out there however. I would search for an inverter generator in the 7000 watt running wattage range with a 240v outlet. The Champion 100520 is only $800 and I think it would run your welder fine. I own one and I love it. Works like a champ on my 450 foot deep well with submersible pump.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Maybe I missed something but,,,, how many fried electronics have we seen from this?  Considering the speculation we should see a couple a week.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:The 9,000/7,250 will work great watt. I have  Chicago 170 running on a Predator 4,000/3,250 watts  Dave

Originally Posted by Richnm

Totally new to welding. I need to weld some cattle corrals and general farm use. I purchased an Eastwood MIG 180.  Question: will the Harbor Freight Predator 9000 with 7250 continues watts run this welder ? I was going to buy a Champion or Firman 11,500 with 9,200 continues watts, but they are on back order.  Or am I better off waiting 2 months for the other generators? Thanks
Reply:The inverter based generators are great for power outages and you may need to check on  low THD. But dow side is it first it generator 3 ph power turns it in to DC. Then covert to AC this where the THD comes in to play. There also a battery for starting motors like Refrigerator There is a lot of wasted power. But upside is the inverter type the engine can run at lower saving fuel when you are watching TV and goto high speed for starting the Refrigerator. When using a welder most time you using a lot of power and the old fashion generator type is more efficient. It generator power and no electronics to waste power and has a true sign wave. For anyone does not know the THD is how close it is to a true sign waveDave

Originally Posted by Louie1961

It might, but I wouldn't chance it. The 9000 is not an inverter generator nor a low THD (i.e., "clean power") generator. There's a possibility that the 9000 generator would fry the electronics in your inverter based MIG welder. I would look for something with low THD and/or an inverter based generator to run that welder. https://generatorbible.com/ is a great resource for finding the right generator for the job. Of the Harbor Freight units, I would go with either the Predator 9500 or the Predator 8750. There are cheaper alternatives out there however. I would search for an inverter generator in the 7000 watt running wattage range with a 240v outlet. The Champion 100520 is only $800 and I think it would run your welder fine. I own one and I love it. Works like a champ on my 450 foot deep well with submersible pump.
Reply:I have nit heard of any At one time it was a square wave on inverter based generators and they never any tall about THD. Inverter based generators have a place. But went one more step and put a larger battery the gasoline generator could turn off run battery at night and just run on battery till needs a change. Then start the generator up and change the battery. This would save a lot of fuel. But the most effective at full power is the old fashion type. The inverter type is more efficient on light loads.Dave

Originally Posted by Sberry

Maybe I missed something but,,,, how many fried electronics have we seen from this?  Considering the speculation we should see a couple a week.