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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Portable Generator for Buzz Box Welder

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John V.

07-19-2005 09:02:20




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Thinking about getting a portable generator set to run my older Century buzzbox AC/DC welder on for field repairs. Would a 5500 watt generator set have enough power to run this unit on for most repair work. Thanks in advance for any and help.




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KEG

07-20-2005 20:08:03




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 Re: Portable Generator for Buzz Box Welder in reply to John V., 07-19-2005 09:02:20  
I have a 5500 watt generator and can run my Lincoln 225 AC buzz box on it without a problem. Haven"t set it for over 90 amps, though. First tried a 4000 watt unit and it would not run the Lincoln.

KEG



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buickanddeere

07-20-2005 07:04:27




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 Re: Portable Generator for Buzz Box Welder in reply to John V., 07-19-2005 09:02:20  
Adding a power factor correction capacitor on the 240 side would remove the circulating current load from the generator. May as well use the generator to make VA and let the VAR circulate back and forth between the welders primary windings and the capacitor. A capacitor in the 7 amp range should be close.



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John V.

07-20-2005 11:27:55




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 Re: Portable Generator for Buzz Box Welder in reply to buickanddeere, 07-20-2005 07:04:27  
Can you explain a little more about the capacitor to me. Welder is a unit that has the slide in it to determine welder output voltage. Would use it on the generator infequently and not on max voltage (under the impression that full 50 amp voltage is only needed when welder is running at highest ranges). Generator has a 30 amp 240 volt plug on it. Thanks in advance.



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buickanddeere

07-20-2005 12:59:32




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 Re: Portable Generator for Buzz Box Welder in reply to John V., 07-20-2005 11:27:55  
Adding the capacitor is not a job for someone following instructions but not fully familiar with electricity. To be cost effective it's better to have a large capacitor scrounged from a surplus store. In typical situations using a larger generator will be cheaper and safer. There maybe 50 amps meausred with an ammeter circulating through the 240V wiring. However if the power factor is .5 with a 45 degree lagging angle. Things are not what they seem. There will be 34.5 amps melting metal/doing work. And 34.5 amps just circulating back and forth between the welder's primaries and generator windings as reactive current. Come to think of it a 5500W peak generator would ideally need about 17.0 amps of capacitor current.However 10 to 12amps would do fine.

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Ryan - WI

07-19-2005 21:10:20




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 Re: Portable Generator for Buzz Box Welder in reply to John V., 07-19-2005 09:02:20  
One thing that you can do also is what my landlord did. He has a larger cart for his backup alternator than he needs and he mounted his welder to that. When the cart is in the shed he plugs it into the wall, but if he needs to make repairs elsewhere on the farm he just plugs it into the alternator and goes.



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Gene Davis (Ga.)

07-19-2005 17:51:44




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 Re: Portable Generator for Buzz Box Welder in reply to John V., 07-19-2005 09:02:20  
I can run my Lincoln 225 a/c-d/c welder off my 8kw generator, but it is a pretty good load when i turn it up hot sometimes.



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dr.sportster

07-19-2005 13:47:55




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 Re: Portable Generator for Buzz Box Welder in reply to John V., 07-19-2005 09:02:20  
You need to know how many amps the Century welder will draw in use.This is on the side with the incoming feed cable.Then figure about 125% higher for your calculation number.Then multiply the 125% amps by welder volts[220?]that is about the wattage requirment of the generator.Cord length from the generator to the welder and some other factors apply but you will get an idea of generator size.



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old

07-19-2005 10:09:53




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 Re: Portable Generator for Buzz Box Welder in reply to John V., 07-19-2005 09:02:20  
Look around a little and you could probably find a welder/generator for less $$ then it would cost just for a generator.



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T_Bone

07-20-2005 03:50:13




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 Re: Portable Generator for Buzz Box Welder in reply to old, 07-19-2005 10:09:53  
Hi John,

I got to agree with Old on this if your going to be doing very much welding at all. I've used my 30yr old Koler 4kw on my Lincoln buzzer and Mig with good results but I was given the generator and had the machines.

If I was going to pay today's prices for a generator for a twice a year welding job, I would rent a protable welder before buying a generator.

If I was going to need a portable welding machine more often, then I would buy a Miller Bobcat as a generator would be 1/2 the cost of a new Bobcat.

T_Bone

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old

07-20-2005 06:52:57




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 Re: Portable Generator for Buzz Box Welder in reply to T_Bone, 07-20-2005 03:50:13  
T-Bone, I saw one go at and auction not to long ago for under $200, it need batterys and a little TLC but other then that it was a good welder/gen. It was an older hobart.



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