Generator advice for welder

[EddieWalker]

I have an AC DC arc welder that I'm comfortable with. I've been clearing my fence line for years now and this fall and winter, I would really like to start building my corners. To do this, I feel I need to weld the pipe together in place. This means I need power for my welder. I would prefer not to buy another welder, but if it gets too pricey, might just hire it out. But having a bigger generator does have a lot of appeal to me.

What do you guys use to power your welders when running off of a generator? Is 30 amps enough? Seems like that's what most of the generators have, if they have 240 volts at all. Even the couple of grand diesel generators only have 30 amp outlets.

If I had 30 amps, could I still weld pipe together for a fence using smaller rod and welding short runs at a time?

Thank you

 

[nybirdman]

Buy a Gas/diesel welder and then you would have a portable generator if needed;or just rent one for your project.

 

[Shield Arc]

Here's what Lincoln has to say about using a generator for a welder.
Generator Size to Operate a Lincoln AC/DC 225/125?

 

[STx]

I use a 3500W generator to power a 230V Lincoln 175 wire feed welder. I use .035 flux core wire and run it on the 2nd highest amperage setting (it's a tapped unit, not continuously adjustable). I'm able to weld Sch40 2 3/8" galvanized pipe with it just fine. The generator definitely works but, it does the job.

 

[roadhunter]

I've used one of the amazon bargain propane generators that were discussed on this board. They go on sale occasionally for $600.
Amazon.com: DuroMax XP1EH, 8 Running Watts/1 Starting Watts, Dual Fuel Powered Portable Generator: Patio, Lawn & Garden

I usually just run 1/8" rod on about 120 amps. This was using a ESAB 161 inverter welder.

 

[STx]

Be careful with inverter welders on generators, they're not as forgiving of dirty power as a coil type machine is. I'm not saying it won't work, the results can just be unpredictable and erratic.

 

[roadhunter]

Be careful with inverter welders on generators, they're not as forgiving of dirty power as a coil type machine is. I'm not saying it won't work, the results can just be unpredictable and erratic.

I got tired of lugging those heavy SOB's a long time ago. I have not had any issues with the inverters running on generators but others may have had a different experience.

 

[stuckmotor]

For anyone looking to power an inverter welder with a generator: A search for "clean power generator" will likely bring up a couple of generators recommended to run inverter welder. READ THE REVIEWS! Pay special attention to what they say about the engine. I'd like to hear some opinions because, I want one myself.

 

[Deere Dude]

I've used one of the amazon bargain propane generators that were discussed on this board. They go on sale occasionally for $600.
Amazon.com: DuroMax XP1EH, 8 Running Watts/1 Starting Watts, Dual Fuel Powered Portable Generator: Patio, Lawn & Garden

I usually just run 1/8" rod on about 120 amps. This was using a ESAB 161 inverter welder.

I bought one of these for $650 last year and it has up to a 50 amp plug. I use this plug at times to run my tombstone type welder. It doesn't hardly slow it down. Plus I run it on LP.

 

[stuckmotor]

I bought one of these for $650 last year and it has up to a 50 amp plug. I use this plug at times to run my tombstone type welder. It doesn't hardly slow it down. Plus I run it on LP.

I may get one of those and put it on a trailer with my old tombstone. My problem is, I bought an inverter welder from Mark and hate to go back to the transformer. Mark recommended clean power a while back. Mark please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[newbury]

I've used one of the amazon bargain propane generators that were discussed on this board. They go on sale occasionally for $600.
Amazon.com: DuroMax XP1EH, 8 Running Watts/1 Starting Watts, Dual Fuel Powered Portable Generator: Patio, Lawn & Garden

I usually just run 1/8" rod on about 120 amps. This was using a ESAB 161 inverter welder.

What is it with the link generator dropping zeros? That should be Amazon.com: DuroMax XP1EH, 8000 Running Watts/10000 Starting Watts, Dual Fuel Powered Portable Generator: Patio, Lawn & Garden

Anyways, I picked up one for $650 last year, runs great. I think several others have been using the same generator for welding. I've not seen the price drop below $650.
Here's the thread started by sodo:http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/336996-smokin-deal-10-000watt-generator.html?highlight=DuroMax

My son used it for a few days last summer due to a power outage and we used it again this summer to power construction tools when power was turned off at the site.. We run it on LP.

 

[C4Ranch]

I've used one of the amazon bargain propane generators that were discussed on this board. They go on sale occasionally for $600.
Amazon.com: DuroMax XP1����EH, 8��� Running Watts/1���� Starting Watts, Dual Fuel Powered Portable Generator: Patio, Lawn & Garden

I usually just run 1/8" rod on about 120 amps. This was using a ESAB 161 inverter welder.

Ditto. I got this one for $650 and use the 50amp plug with my Lincon 210mp.

Sodo I believe also uses this generator for his welder.

 

[EddieWalker]

Thanks for the link on that generator. It's a grand right now, but I'm in no rush and might just watch it for a while to see if it comes down again. At $650, that's a fantastic deal!!!!

Do all of you use it on propane? Does that burn cleaner, which means fewer issues over time? How long does a five gallon tank last? I really like the idea of propane for emergency use during winter storms.

Thank you,
Eddie

 

[C4Ranch]

I got mine from this seller off eBay". Free shipping and NO tax Shipped by freight and it's heavy!

Subscribe to his email as he runs the $650 every now and then.

Duromax 1 Watt Hybrid Dual Fuel Portable Gas Propane Generator RV Standby | eBay

I don't plan to ever run gas in mine. Propane is cleaner for carb, no ethanol and when done I turn bottle off and let it die so nothing stays in carb.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I've got a wedding in October for my brother, I will be there on the 13/14. Think it's in lindale. If you want to come borrow my Miller efi bobcat 250, your welcome to it. If you can do it all in two days it would save a trip. Worst case it can power what your comfortable with. If you need it sooner, you can come get it! All it needs is gas

Brett

 

[newbury]

<snip>
Do all of you use it on propane? Does that burn cleaner, which means fewer issues over time? How long does a five gallon tank last? <snip>
Eddie

Propane for me skips the hassle of smuggling in alcohol free gasoline.
One of the guys on Amazon indicated he was burning about a gallon an hour running at a fairly full load.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've got a wedding in October for my brother, I will be there on the 13/14. Think it's in lindale. If you want to come borrow my Miller efi bobcat 250, your welcome to it. If you can do it all in two days it would save a trip. Worst case it can power what your comfortable with. If you need it sooner, you can come get it! All it needs is gas

Brett

Thank you, but I never do anything quickly, and I'm nowhere near being ready to start welding. Right now, with the heat index at 117, I'm not doing much of anything. Once it cools off a little, I'll get back to removing trees. My goal, if I'm lucky, is to start on the fence early next year when the ground is still soft. Once summer hits, the crust of the red clay is more then I want to deal with.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Thank you, but I never do anything quickly, and I'm nowhere near being ready to start welding. Right now, with the heat index at 117, I'm not doing much of anything. Once it cools off a little, I'll get back to removing trees. My goal, if I'm lucky, is to start on the fence early next year when the ground is still soft. Once summer hits, the crust of the red clay is more then I want to deal with.

I know what you mean. Been in the shop the last two days off and I'm whooped. At least there's been some air flow. Well let me know when you get ready if you need it. Since I wired the shop with a 50amp welding plug and only use 30amp my bobcat just waits for a power outage most of the time

Brett

 

[EddieWalker]

Thank you, that's very kind of you. How far are you from Lindale?

 

[rustyshakelford]

Thank you, that's very kind of you. How far are you from Lindale?

We live about 4 hrs away in a town called Navasota. My brother just graduated college in Tyler and met his future wife there, thus the trip to lindale for their wedding in October!

Brett