Hello I'm a new member and was hoping I could get a little help with my Wards powr kraft 230 amp arc welder. I plan on welding metal(steel) no thicker than 1/4" and was wondering if someone could tell me about how much amperage would be required and if a 30 amp 3500 watt generator would suffice.Thanks in advance for any help.
arc welding info. please help...
- Thread starter JoeBWeld
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xlr82v2
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Joe,
I've never tried it myself, but I sure don't remember many stories of success running a buzz box off of a small generator, and I'd classify yours as a very small generator... they just pull too many amps. Arc strikes are typically very difficult at best, and if you do get one lit up, you can count on popping the generator's CB's in short order.
I'd say you would probably need at least a 6000 watt generator to run a buzz box with any chance of success on any but the absolute lowest amp settings. 10,000 watts would be a lot better, especially for what you're wanting to do. With your generator, I think you might be able to run small 1/16 and maybe 3/32 rods up to the 60-80 amp range, maybe just a tad higher if you're lucky, but I really don't hold out much hope.
When you're welding your 1/4 inch, you'll typically be using 1/8" rods in the neighborhood of 135-140 amps. Arc voltage will probably be around 22 volts, which calculates to at least 2970 watts. I'm just guessing, but if the transformer is 85% efficient, that bumps it up to 3494 watts on the input side, which at 240 volts, is 14.56 amps required from the generator. So, with just "steady state" welding, you're right at the ragged edge of your generator's capability...
You can surely try it, but I'd say your chances for success are very slim at best.
I've never tried it myself, but I sure don't remember many stories of success running a buzz box off of a small generator, and I'd classify yours as a very small generator... they just pull too many amps. Arc strikes are typically very difficult at best, and if you do get one lit up, you can count on popping the generator's CB's in short order.
I'd say you would probably need at least a 6000 watt generator to run a buzz box with any chance of success on any but the absolute lowest amp settings. 10,000 watts would be a lot better, especially for what you're wanting to do. With your generator, I think you might be able to run small 1/16 and maybe 3/32 rods up to the 60-80 amp range, maybe just a tad higher if you're lucky, but I really don't hold out much hope.
When you're welding your 1/4 inch, you'll typically be using 1/8" rods in the neighborhood of 135-140 amps. Arc voltage will probably be around 22 volts, which calculates to at least 2970 watts. I'm just guessing, but if the transformer is 85% efficient, that bumps it up to 3494 watts on the input side, which at 240 volts, is 14.56 amps required from the generator. So, with just "steady state" welding, you're right at the ragged edge of your generator's capability...
You can surely try it, but I'd say your chances for success are very slim at best.
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Pennsylvania Weldor
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Check the data plate on the welder. It should tell you what Line Amperage is required to run the machine. This would be what is required for proper operation, regardless of the Output Amperage while welding.
Example: 230 volt, 60 amp. Do not attempt to run the welder on less than the stated, required amperage.
Example: 230 volt, 60 amp. Do not attempt to run the welder on less than the stated, required amperage.
Wow I didn't expect such a fast response. Thanks a lot for the info guys it is much appreciated. I once took a vocational class for welding but have forgotten much of what I had learned,especially the math
. So I have little experience or insight. I've read that this old wards 230 amp buzz box is pretty reliable and I know it has had very little use.
The generator idea is out of the question now because I don't own one but was looking to buy one on ebay. From what I've read I'll probably fry it in short order. And a 10k generator will put me in the poor house(maybe the dog house too).
Now I need to explore using the good ol' house clothes dryer plug. Can I assume just because the 220 volt outlet is there that it would be sufficient to run my welder? Or would an upgrade be in order depending on the wiring/breaker amperage? Hope this makes sense. Oh and again the thickness of steel to be welded would not exceed 1/4".
. So I have little experience or insight. I've read that this old wards 230 amp buzz box is pretty reliable and I know it has had very little use.The generator idea is out of the question now because I don't own one but was looking to buy one on ebay. From what I've read I'll probably fry it in short order. And a 10k generator will put me in the poor house(maybe the dog house too).
Now I need to explore using the good ol' house clothes dryer plug. Can I assume just because the 220 volt outlet is there that it would be sufficient to run my welder? Or would an upgrade be in order depending on the wiring/breaker amperage? Hope this makes sense. Oh and again the thickness of steel to be welded would not exceed 1/4".
Wow I didn't expect such a fast response. Thanks a lot for the info guys it is much appreciated. I once took a vocational class for welding but have forgotten much of what I had learned,especially the math . So I have little experience or insight. I've read that this old wards 230 amp buzz box is pretty reliable and I know it has had very little use.
The generator idea is out of the question now because I don't own one but was looking to buy one on e_bay. From what I've read I'll probably fry it in short order. And a 10k generator will put me in the poor house(maybe the dog house too).
Now I need to explore using the good ol' house clothes dryer plug. Can I assume just because the 220 volt outlet is there that it would be sufficient to run my welder? Or would an upgrade be in order depending on the wiring/breaker amperage? Hope this makes sense. Oh and again the thickness of steel to be welded would not exceed 1/4".
. So I have little experience or insight. I've read that this old wards 230 amp buzz box is pretty reliable and I know it has had very little use.The generator idea is out of the question now because I don't own one but was looking to buy one on e_bay. From what I've read I'll probably fry it in short order. And a 10k generator will put me in the poor house(maybe the dog house too).
Now I need to explore using the good ol' house clothes dryer plug. Can I assume just because the 220 volt outlet is there that it would be sufficient to run my welder? Or would an upgrade be in order depending on the wiring/breaker amperage? Hope this makes sense. Oh and again the thickness of steel to be welded would not exceed 1/4".
Runner
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Welcome to TBN!
I'm a complete welding idiot, however, I know there are lots of knowledgeable folks on here who can be of help. I would suggest going to this site:
weldingweb.com
where there are tons of discussions on the very subjects you mentioned.
By the way, I have the very same welder as you and it has been in my family for at least 40 years and still going strong.
Best of luck on your projects.
I'm a complete welding idiot, however, I know there are lots of knowledgeable folks on here who can be of help. I would suggest going to this site:
weldingweb.com
where there are tons of discussions on the very subjects you mentioned.
By the way, I have the very same welder as you and it has been in my family for at least 40 years and still going strong.
Best of luck on your projects.
bobodu
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Guys run low amps (like 150 or so) on dryer outlets all the time. I have done it myself when necessary,but I wouldn't make a real habit of it. It's much safer to drop in a temporary 50 amp breaker when you want to weld and run heavy wire to the welder out the window.
I have the Sears equivalent of your welder. I use a 30 amp breaker on a 50 amp dryer plug (often on a 75' extension cord. I have Never blown the breaker with the welder and I have used it throttle up with a tungsten burning rod. What have you got to loose by trying the generator? Plug it in, set it on a low setting, touch it off. BFD.
Be sure to report back on the results. There are probably some readers on here running for the hills.
Be sure to report back on the results. There are probably some readers on here running for the hills.
Thank everyone for there help. Been real busy so I haven't had a chance to reply. Going to need to make a junction box plug adapter before I can try the welder on the clothes dryer outlet, my welder plug isn't compatible, but I will post my results.Thanks again.
tommu56
Elite Member
JoeBWeld
I have a 250 a 220v tumbstone and I tried using it on my onan emrald 4000 watt generator.
It will power up and and started fine and i ran about 1 rod.
Then when I stuck a rod it stalled the generator.
When I went and started it (the motor) was knocking so I shut it down. tried starting it agan still knocking.
I haven't taken it apart yet to see what happened oil level was ok the govener didnt seem to pickup fast enough .
tommu
I have a 250 a 220v tumbstone and I tried using it on my onan emrald 4000 watt generator.
It will power up and and started fine and i ran about 1 rod.
Then when I stuck a rod it stalled the generator.
When I went and started it (the motor) was knocking so I shut it down. tried starting it agan still knocking.
I haven't taken it apart yet to see what happened oil level was ok the govener didnt seem to pickup fast enough .
tommu