Generators...

C.Berry

C.Berry

Bad News
Joined
Aug 10, 2008
Location
Blacksburg, Va
So while just reading welding web, I was curious would it be best to get a welder/generator in one since I have no power where I'm building my rig?? I'm in the market for both a generator, just for lights when power out and for water pump! And a welder so I can get on a damn trail before I get more white hairs in my beard! Just seemed like it would help my cause bc I can use it for portaband,grinder,electric impact... Dunno if this has been discussed I'll admit I didn't search bc I'm not electrical savvy and laymans terms help with amp drop and things of that nature when it comes to the power going into a welder and how it affects what I'm set at to go out lol may have a lost a few there, electricity is my kryptonite bc I'm afraid I'm always gonna fry my shit lol
 
No. Unless you need to do mobile welding you would be much happier with a 220v MIG welder and a generator. You can get gas generators for less than $1k as long as you don't mind noise and don't plan to run your whole house. Don't spend what a welder/generator would cost to try to get two-in-one, you will spend a lot more.

Welder generators are only stick welders, you have to buy extra stuff (spoolgun or wire feeder) to use them as a MIG $$$$.
 
Ok so would A 7000 runnin watt gen run the Vulcan omnipro welder that has 120/240 mig/stick?
 
C.Berry said:
Ok so would A 7000 runnin watt gen run the Vulcan omnipro welder that has 120/240 mig/stick?
Click to expand...
Should if you go by there rated current draw (26 A), max input watts should be 6240. Essentially needs a 30 amp circuit for 120 or 240.

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Small gasoline gens are notoriously bad for dirty power especially as you approach the outer limits of the curves.

But you should be able to run a welder just fine on a ~$500 generator.
 
Be careful with dirty power and running the newer inverter welders/plasmas.

That’s about all I know but I remember reading about it when I was researching plasma usage with generators


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I currently run my Miller 210 and Miller Dynasty 200, and a Hypertherm 1000 off a Lincoln Ranger. Its a little older and 10,ooo watts peak. I also do portable welding with the Lincoln.

I honestly can tell a diference running the Mig at higher setting. The Dynasty not so much. Hopefully time will tell I haven't done any damage to any of them. This use is from moving out of a leased space to my building and still getting power in. I keep buying equipment instead of wiring...gotta stop doing this cart in front of horse thing. The equipment has been deals so I have jumped on them.


I will tell you almost all welding/ generators are very hungry machines. They also should be run wide open in most cases just to produce 110 current and not damage brushes or equipment on start loads. The auto feature usually has very little voltage until an arc is struck, this is bad for tools. To spend the dollars to get efficiency will be exspensive. The welder gen sets are usually much louder and graciously heavier. Mine is on a skid. Just it and my rather large gas compressor make a decent load if mounted on a 2500 truck.

Keep light choices in mind. Go led if you can afford it. Almost any 110/220 combo will run on a 7000k and up generator. The problem will be large lights, welder humming in the back ground, and firing off a nice grinder or chop saw. Your gonna have to get used to unplugging idle equipment.
 
LED lights create their own issue with generators though.
They induce harmonic distortion which wreaks havoc on the volatge regulator, further compounding the dirty sine problem.

1 or 2 LEDs not so muvh...get a string of them....

For running on a small gas gen, if incandescent lights are an option go that route. Now if you are comparing LEDs to large metal halides or similar then it's less clearcut.

By definition an inverter machine will be more sensitive to dirty power. Since it double converts the wave any distortion will be magnified exponentiallly.
 
Ok thanks I may go up to next lvl generator $1600 for 11000 running watts isn't bad deal and I'm gonna be without power right now for 3 days from what aep says and full fridge of food... smdh thanks I'll check what welder pulls and what gen puts out I'd rather have overkill then barely pushing power
 
Ron said:
LED lights create their own issue with generators though.
They induce harmonic distortion which wreaks havoc on the volatge regulator, further compounding the dirty sine problem.

1 or 2 LEDs not so muvh...get a string of them....

For running on a small gas gen, if incandescent lights are an option go that route. Now if you are comparing LEDs to large metal halides or similar then it's less clearcut.

By definition an inverter machine will be more sensitive to dirty power. Since it double converts the wave any distortion will be magnified exponentiallly.
Click to expand...
I learned something new. Good info.
 
C.Berry said:
Ok thanks I may go up to next lvl generator $1600 for 11000 running watts isn't bad deal and I'm gonna be without power right now for 3 days from what aep says and full fridge of food... smdh thanks I'll check what welder pulls and what gen puts out I'd rather have overkill then barely pushing power
Click to expand...

If you aren't looking for something today...let me know What you are looking at and I'll see if i can't save you some coin
 
Ron said:
LED lights create their own issue with generators though.
They induce harmonic distortion which wreaks havoc on the volatge regulator, further compounding the dirty sine problem.

1 or 2 LEDs not so muvh...get a string of them....

For running on a small gas gen, if incandescent lights are an option go that route. Now if you are comparing LEDs to large metal halides or similar then it's less clearcut.

By definition an inverter machine will be more sensitive to dirty power. Since it double converts the wave any distortion will be magnified exponentiallly.
Click to expand...

What about running 12v LEDs off the DC output of the genset? No switching power supply in the LEDs, therefore no feedback.

I'm currently running a Hobart Handler 175 off a 1999 vintage Kawasaki 4600 Watt generator. Why? Deals I couldn't pass up. I didn't really do any mobile welding, but I've taken a couple of jobs with this setup, and it's performed well. Last one was about 3.5 feet of weld on 1/4" Cor-ten steel. In a hurry, not letting the welder rest, running (I believe) setting 3 out of 4. Performed surprisingly well. I could tell it was starting to struggle a little near the end, but it kept on rolling. I'd love to have a nice, clean power 10 or 12k unit, but so far, it hasn't been a necessity.
 
I had to jump the gun but so far I'm more than pleased with the predator 8750Peak 7000 running watt gen I picked up all together $810 2Year 3month warranty and was told to basically bring it back in two years for a new one... just got it hooked up bc we've had no power since 1am yesterday so had to get fridge freezers and some heat going so far so good needs a better exhaust tho! But for price it's same thing as a buddies generac 8000peak that he gave $1800 for... now when powers on progress on the burb continues...
 
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