Welder/Generator

[dmccarty]

Hello,

I asked the following on the Lincoln Welder web site and I just
go an email from them with the answer. Except that the note
did not answer the question. So I'll ask TBN. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Can the generators in the engine welders such as the 305G or
305D be use to power household electrical devices such as
motors, pumps, TVs, microwaves, computers, lights, etc.,
without damage?

For those who don't know the Lincoln product line the 305
machines produce around 10,000 watts of juice and are a really
nice welder. The 305G is a gas burner while the 305D is diesel
with a Kubota engine. I would LOVE to have the 305D but the
cheapest I have seen it is over 6-7,000 dollars while the 305G
is about half that.

Thanks,
Dan McCarty

 

[alco141]

i knew a fellow who ran his house off of a miller welder, had no problems, but dont have any experience with the lincoln.

alex

 

[reb]

That sounds like a good idea to me. I have often wished for a portable AC welder and having the generator for backup around the house would be handy. However, I think I would want to have a good surge suppressor for any electronics (computers, TV, microwave, etc.). I wouldn't expect the power from a portable generator to be as clean as the power company's.

reb

 

[theonlybull]

yup, we run an older lincon welder in our truck, and it has no problem running any power tools that we've thrown at it. it's a 300 amp welder, but only a 3,000W gen. all welder are governed, and the new machines probably produce as clean a power as the local ultilty does.

 

[MDNick]

Dan,

My Dad is a sr. comp. network administrator. At work during the last big N.E. power outtages, they had a few LARGE generators running, ext. cords all over the place, and if you needed power, you tapped in to whatever was nearby. If it was live, you took it. All was well with the shipping computer communication until about 4:30. At that point the contractor and his welding truck unhooked and went home. That welder/generator was powering lots of stuff, including Dad's wiring cabinet FULL of hubs, routers, do hickey's, and thingamajigs (Dad's the network guy, not me). If it works well for comp. gear, seems a microwave or water pump wouldn't much care. Though for the motors, really stable freq modulation is the important thing. I think it will work just fine. Weldors have been running grinders and drills for years with a welder generating 110.

Nick

 

[dmccarty]

Hey Guys,

Lincoln says that the engined powered generators where good
to run lights and power tools. I think they said they have
enough juice so that you can power lights and tools at the same
time as you are welding. That is not much of a concern for me
though. So I think I'm save on pumps and such. Its just the
computers, tvs, radios, etc., that had/have me concerned.

We where looking at a small "portable" diesel genset that was
6500 surge watts. Northern has them for around $2700. The
gas powered 305g is only a few hundred more, has around 10K
watts and its a welder. Seems like bargin.

I really want the 305D though. But I have not won the
lottery....

Thanks,
Dan

 

[Wannafish]

My father and I both have had backup generators at each of our houses for at least 20 years. They weren't welders, just normal generators. Only problem I can recall is I lost a motor in a refrigerator that the electrician said was probably from running it off the generator during a power outage. Other than that we've had no problems.

 

[JerryG]

My FIL has a Miller welder/generator that he runs everything off of at one time or another.

 

[_RaT_]

Dan, I sent an eMail to either Miller or Lincoln about this very issue. The end result was they said for electronic equipment like computers which I suppose could be anything from the electronic controls on a microwave oven to a PC definitely should have some form of regulated power when tied to a welder/generator (that is true of the Home Depot generator types as well) . The point he was making is that they are definitely not going to give you the exact 60Hz and a cleaner sinewave of utility power. He suggested a high quality line conditioner for any sensitive equipment. There are many out there to choose from and on some folks homes, we have installed some $800 whole house line conditioners that install adjacent to a subpanel on a 2 pole 30 amp breaker.

I almost purchased a engine driven generator. After looking at all the machines out there, I think that Lincoln is now producing some of the greatest welding equipment made. Miller has an intersting machine with the Legend that can provide 6500 watts at 1800 RPM. The advantage is how quiet it is when doing so. 6500 wats will start most 240V well pumps with ease and power microwaves, TV's, lights, furnace blowers all at the same time providing the lighting load is "emergency" and not every light in the house. I find 3500 watts actually works for us except for when the microwave kicks in, then it stuggles. 10,000 will give you a comfort level that approaches full use ability short of simaltaneous use of high resitive loads like ovens, stoves, water heaters or high current loads like AC's. Rat...

P.S. My next generator will be a combo welder/generator.

 

[dmccarty]

Rat,

Now I just have to convince that CFO that a welder/generator
gives us the most bang for the buck. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I do need a welder and it sure seems that getting
welder/generator would be cheaper than getting a welder AND
a generator. I really have been leaning towards a PTO
genset but a non tractor unit would be easier on the wife if she
had to turn on the power. And a welder/generator while it adds
another engine to maintain at least it would be a motor that
would get used from time to time unlike a standalone portable
genset. And given that the 305G/D is much heavier than most
gensets its going to be harder to steal.

!0,000 watts should be more than we will ever need power wise!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

But it sounds like we should put in a whole house power
conditioner regardless of how we generate our own power.....

Thanks for the info Guys,
Dan McCarty