running a welder off a generator

[shake'n'bake]

I have a Precision Tig 225, and I was looking into to see what size and what brand would be best to run my welder off a generator. My highest rated output is 225A @ 29V now correct me if im wrong but that means its at 6,525 watts, so does that mean I need atleast a 6,500watt generator? My main question is which generator would you recommend using?

[HardCharger81]

Small portable generators and welders don't go together that well. A small 6k or 8k MultiQuip gen has a hard time keeping up with even some of the smaller wirefeeds.
What your talking about can be done, its just hard on the equipment

I'd recommend buying a Miller Bobcat or Linclon Ranger 8.

Then for alittle more money you could have both a stick welder and run you tig off it.

[Erik Irvine]

two things to think about...do you plan on using 100% of the rated load of your welder? Will you be welding AC-TIG for aluminum? Also, electrical energy input into the welder does not equal the output settings you mentioned. There is an efficiency related to the electrical stuff on the inside of the welder, I wish I could give you a number but I don't know, maybe a welding shop/supplier would? Basically if your welder uses 6,000 watts, it may require more than a 6000 what supply to get you that due to loses of the welding machine. What does the welder require for input (says in your user manual). What will you be welding with it?

[Erik Irvine]

Small portable generators and welders don't go together that well.


Yeah it has something to do with the Constant Current/Constant Voltage issues associated with welders and the consistancy of a generators voltage and amperage I think...not 100% sure though

[shake'n'bake]

I will be welding mostly mild steel but some aluminum, but no im usually not running 100% load.

[Travisfab]

I run a Miller 175 (220V) off a generator and it works great. I'll look into the specs.

[partybarge_pilot]

I run a Miller 175 (220V) off a generator and it works great. I'll look into the specs.

I have done the same with mine off a 5K generator, works very well.

[tmathews]

I have a Precision Tig 225, and I was looking into to see what size and what brand would be best to run my welder off a generator. My highest rated output is 225A @ 29V now correct me if im wrong but that means its at 6,525 watts, so does that mean I need atleast a 6,500watt generator? My main question is which generator would you recommend using?

Mig welders run at a lower amperage than a stick/tig welder.. You may need to get a Type 3 generator with at least 16kws.

[sparkypyro]

The numbers on the generators are usually the max wattage for a short duration(peak). They will not continuously put out that number. I think continuous available is somewhere around 80% of watt(pun intended) is on the generator nameplate. Meaning a generator that is 10k will put out a continuous 8000 watts with intermittent peaks to 10k or slightly higher.

[HardCharger81]

Sparkypryo you are correct, its typically 80%.

The issue we had running welders off of the smaller 6K gens was the hertz. It was hard for them to keep the hertz even.
A larger gen or welder/gen combo has an easier time and produces a much "cleaner" power.
But it can be done. Our MultiQuip rep told just us to recommend against doing it with the smaller gens due to the damage it can do to a welder.

[partybarge_pilot]

This was at the 1000 last year trying to get the front end back on the truck to finish. 7.5K generator tunning 2 500 watt shop lights and My 175 Lincoln MIG. Total welding time, 3 hours. total down time 7.5 hours......

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g122/bdkw1/07B1K/100_00301.jpg

[Triaged]

I have a Precision Tig 225...rated output is 225A @ 29V...so does that mean I need atleast a 6,500watt generator?...Do not look at the welder OUTPUT in order to figure out what you need for INPUT.

Looking up the spec's on your machine shows that you need 208V @ 42A or 230V @ 39A input. That is closer to 9,000W.