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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Anyone use a generator to run a welder?

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Eddie in MI

02-21-2006 16:13:33




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Okay, here's the deal. I'd love to start dabbling in welding, but I do not have 220v in my garage. I do, however, have a 10hp 5000 rated watt Generac generator that has two 120vac outleys and one 120/240 vac 20 amp locking receptacle. Is there any way that I can power a welder (and, if so, what can I get away with) with this thing?

The details on the 240vac receptacle are as follows:

Use a NEMA (whatever the hell that is) L14-20 plug with this receptacle. Connect a 4 wire cord rated for 250 vac @ 20 amps (or greater). This receptacle powers 120 vac, single phase, 60 Hz loads up to 2400 watts of power. Or it will operate 240 vac, single phase, 60 Hz loeads up to 4800 watts. This outlet is protected by 20 amp push-to-reset circuit breakers.

Any thoughts? Is this worth persuing? I was thinking a flux-core welder to get started with. This would be to get me started here...

TIA,

Ed


ps... yes, I've posted this question on a couple other boards. More opinions is better than fewer! TIA!

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Steve Crum

02-24-2006 05:00:44




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 Re: Anyone use a generator to run a welder? in reply to Eddie in MI, 02-21-2006 16:13:33  
We used an old Winpower 12 kw flat belt driven generator I have, on occasion to run an old (I do mean old) Craftsman welder, when welding had to be done in the field. Dad used a John Deere G to run the generator. I remember him welding a wagon axle back together that got the bad deal from a chuck hole. At 175 amps that Winpower would make the old G bark like it was pulling a 3 bottom 16 in heavy hardpan.
I would seriously consider wiring the garage for 200 amp minimum at 240 volts.

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buickanddeere

02-22-2006 19:13:39




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 Re: Anyone use a generator to run a welder? in reply to Eddie in MI, 02-21-2006 16:13:33  
If you install a power factor correction capacitor running about 5 amps to correct the reactive power. She might do it. As previously stated. Install a 60 or 100amp panel in the shop. May as well use a generator transfer panel as they cost nearly the same. Reliance Controls makes some good ones.



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souNdguy

02-22-2006 11:42:46




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 Re: Anyone use a generator to run a welder? in reply to Eddie in MI, 02-21-2006 16:13:33  
I agree with the others.. get 220v in the garage.. probably easier than you think..

Soundguy



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Mike M

02-22-2006 06:39:30




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 Re: Anyone use a generator to run a welder? in reply to Eddie in MI, 02-21-2006 16:13:33  
I used our old Lincoln buzz box with our pto gen. once. We still think that done in the voltage regulator. I won't try it again unless I use my old gen. without all that new fangled electronic regulators. It's an Army unit from 1945 it made it through some wars it might be tougher.



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Grub0927

02-21-2006 20:53:23




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 Re: Anyone use a generator to run a welder? in reply to Eddie in MI, 02-21-2006 16:13:33  
I have a 5000watt generator and use it to power my Hobart wire feed welder (175amp machine)and have had no trouble. I'm not fabricating with this set-up; just out making repairs. That means I spend a whole lot more time thinking than welding :)



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KEB

02-21-2006 20:19:00




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 Re: Anyone use a generator to run a welder? in reply to Eddie in MI, 02-21-2006 16:13:33  
NEMA = National Electrical Manufacturer's Association, a trade group that specifies electrical connectors (among other things). Purpose of specs is to make sure that a plug from one manufacturer will fit a socket from another...

I've used my 110 volt MIG welder on a 5.5kW generator, worked fine. Never tried a stick welder with it.

Keith



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Gene Davis (Ga.)

02-21-2006 18:44:32




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 Re: Anyone use a generator to run a welder? in reply to Eddie in MI, 02-21-2006 16:13:33  
I have a Lincoln 225 AC/DC tombstone welder and occasionally have run it withb my 8kw generator and it is a pretty good load when I turn the amperage up to weld 3/8-1/2 thick material. I expect if you do much moderate to heavy welding the 5Kw unit will go up in smoke. Run The 220 and be safer and cheaper in the end.



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MarkB_MI

02-21-2006 18:16:35




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 Re: Anyone use a generator to run a welder? in reply to Eddie in MI, 02-21-2006 16:13:33  
It's probably neither difficult nor expensive to run 240 into your garage. Do that, and you'll save yourself a lot of aggravation in the long run.



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kyhayman

02-21-2006 18:01:01




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 Re: Anyone use a generator to run a welder? in reply to Eddie in MI, 02-21-2006 16:13:33  
Those little 110v flux cored welders will drive you mad with the duty cycle. Run for 2 min, cool for 8, and takes all they have to do anything. I'd run the 220v and get a decent AC stick welder. The learning curve is steeper but the results are a lot better.

To diretly answer your question though, I use a generator sometimes to power a welder. Got a 20 kw Deere unit I bought state surplus. It screams with a decent welding load.

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retired farmer

02-24-2006 20:35:34




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 Re: Anyone use a generator to run a welder? in reply to kyhayman, 02-21-2006 18:01:01  
You want a good little mig welder, you can't beat a Miller. I bought one several years ago, I think it is a 130 model, 110 volt. Supposed to weld up to three sixteenths. Salesman told me they tried to weld quarter inch with it and it worked well. I paid over $600 for it and couldn't be more pleased. It will weld quarter inch with no problems. I don't even worry about the duty cycle. Never has overheated. Only problem I have had is tiny slag beads get in the trigger switch and sticks in the on position. Other than that I love it. Haven't used it with a generator.

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ebbsspeed

02-21-2006 16:50:34




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 Re: Anyone use a generator to run a welder? in reply to Eddie in MI, 02-21-2006 16:13:33  
Ed, as long as you run your welder at a low enough setting to where it doesn't draw more than 20 amps you should be OK. That would probably be at around the 80-90 amp setting on your welder. A lot will depend on the welder age, etc. Also, if you're talking about a 5K Generac, I'd be careful about running it for too long at full load. Those generators can probably produce the advertised wattage for a short time, but you can bet your sweet mule that it's running on the hairy edge of self destruction.

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