Running Welder on generator

[Timberwolf]

Well there's a lot of conflicting info out there as to running inverters on generators. Some say it has to be clean power, others say inverters run great on normal genny's. So, anyone have any experience running these things on a regular generator?

[parkour]

There is at least one report (post #5) of a 250ex working on a 7kW/9kW gen.
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...ight=generator

I think that SeanMurphy265 runs a Power Arc 200 off of a direct output generator (not inverter)
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...-Power-Arc-200

[performance]

Timberwolf,
Rather than repeat a lot of misinformation,information and conjecture as we have had several threads on this, I will simply put it this way:

Do not hook it to any generator you would not be comfortable hooking your computer to.

Clean power gensets only. Name brand means nothing in this dept. (Except Honda usually is super clean, better than your wall outlet).

They will blow a gasket if not receiving power that is a fairly smooth sine wave.

[Timberwolf]

Roger that Mark. Figured I'd scope anything before planning on running it but just checking. Thanks for the links parkour

[Tritium]

Timberwolf,
Rather than repeat a lot of misinformation,information and conjecture as we have had several threads on this, I will simply put it this way:

Do not hook it to any generator you would not be comfortable hooking your computer to.

Clean power gensets only. Name brand means nothing in this dept. (Except Honda usually is super clean, better than your wall outlet).

They will blow a gasket if not receiving power that is a fairly smooth sine wave.

Odd I run my computer and all my electronics off of a modified sine wave (stair stepped square wave) inverter for over 2 years now.

Thurmond

[SeanMurphy265]

This is the generator that runs my power arc 200
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...9024_200419024

It was 549.00 I spent an additional 150.00 for the extended warranty plan. It comes with a 2 year warranty, the extended plan covers the generator for two additional years and covers accidental damage. I have 4 years total warranty. I figured since I would be welding that I would run the generator hard, and it was worth the extra money. The only downside is the generator is loud. The upside is I spent $1050.00 for a generator and welder that has a 200amp capability, and not to mention welds extremely well.

At some point down the road I would like to upgrade for a larger higher end Honda generator (10,000 running watts). From what I have read about generator powered welders it seems that until you get in the 3,000 plus range they are ok welders and fantastic generators. The people that weld pipe prefer the old Lincoln Shorthoods $5,000.00 plus, or some of the other Lincolns at $10,000.00 plus. I'm sure a generator welder has its advantages, but I would recommend a larger generator and a inverter style welder any day.

[Timberwolf]

cool. sounds like a good setup. I ended up with an 07 miller bobcat 250 with a suitcase extreme 12vs feeder. 11kw genny on it to boot. Plenty of power for all my needs. Now I'm just looking around for a good cheap trailer to come my way to throw it all on. it would be just my luck too that HF is all out of the 4x8 trailers

[Tritium]

cool. sounds like a good setup. I ended up with an 07 miller bobcat 250 with a suitcase extreme 12vs feeder. 11kw genny on it to boot. Plenty of power for all my needs. Now I'm just looking around for a good cheap trailer to come my way to throw it all on. it would be just my luck too that HF is all out of the 4x8 trailers

A while back I picked up a trailer on sale at Tractor Supply at $400 for my Bobcat welder.

Thurmond

[SeanMurphy265]

This is the trailer I bought from Northern Tool for $329.99 they had a sale going on. It was already put together, it's a good platform to beef up and make it like you want it. I'm not sure I would pay the normal price, by the time you add the floor you might as well get one ready to go.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...6494_200356494

[Timberwolf]

bought a HF 4x8 for cheap and that thing couldn't take the weight. Selling it now and ended up with a 5x10 for $300. Much better and extra room for all the other neccessities. I would like to be able to throw the everlast on there for the AC tig and plasma but have a feeling it wouldn't hold up very long to the bumping of going down the road. This rig will most likely be for heavier equip so this setup should work good. Got another air compressor to throw on there too, unfortunately it's back home in indiana so I'll have to wait on that one for a while. But I finished up putting on some new LED lights and am going to paint it tomorrow. I really need to start taking pics and posting up projects but I just never seem to remember and once I start something I like to get it finished

[geezer]

There has been much talk about, sine wave, surge power, gas and diesel , but everyone dodges around the obvious, which is the 30 amp breaker on all of the models discussed. That seems to be a limiting factor in my mind. I think Sean has found the right balance, use a reasonably priced genset with a welder that won't cost you an arm and a leg if you screw it up. The power arc 200 is my choice for that, .

[everlastsupport]

I would like to be able to throw the everlast on there for the AC tig and plasma but have a feeling it wouldn't hold up very long to the bumping of going down the road.

It wouldn't take a lot to add a couple stiffeners inside a unit for bouncing the unit around if you are talking one of our larger units. Many would not even require that. But when you have TIG/Stick/Plasma in a box, the transformers get heavy.

[everlastsupport]

There has been much talk about, sine wave, surge power, gas and diesel , but everyone dodges around the obvious, which is the 30 amp breaker on all of the models discussed. That seems to be a limiting factor in my mind. I think Sean has found the right balance, use a reasonably priced genset with a welder that won't cost you an arm and a leg if you screw it up. The power arc 200 is my choice for that, .

I tend to agree with you on that being another main issue. When I get the 140ST, I plan to hook it to my Porter Cable and my China made generators. Since I know the 30 amps will power it just fine.

Funny, the one from China has never let me down and I use it more. The porter cable I have cleaned the carb twice, always used stable, new plugs, etc, and it always has a small miss. It is not in the governor as well, it is not sticking.

[SeanMurphy265]

Funny, the one from China has never let me down and I use it more. The porter cable I have cleaned the carb twice, always used stable, new plugs, etc, and it always has a small miss. It is not in the governor as well, it is not sticking.

Aren't most of the china built generators Honda clones (motor wise)? I've read where people have added a Honda muffler to their china made genset, and some of the older Honda motor parts will work. Not sure how true that is, but I have thought about changing out the mufflers on my genset.

[everlastsupport]

Aren't most of the china built generators Honda clones (motor wise)? I've read where people have added a Honda muffler to their china made genset, and some of the older Honda motor parts will work. Not sure how true that is, but I have thought about changing out the mufflers on my genset.

Yep, I had a quad bike that was the same way too. Part breaks, I dropped a Honda part on it.