Welder Generators - Good for house backup power?

Knight9 · Oct 2, 2005

I've been considering purchasing a generator for backup emergency power for our place. They are not cheap /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif as I'm sure you all know. Is there any reason not to consider a welder that is also a generator (or a generator that is also a welder) such as the Miller Bobcat 225 ??

In CDN dollars in my area, I can pay less for the Miller and get full welding capabilities, than I would pay for a 10K watt generator. Am I missing something?

Thanks,
Kevin

Highbeam · Oct 3, 2005

If you really mean emergency then I am sure the welder/generator combo will get it done. If you want all the features of the home genset then I think some will be missing with the combo unti such as the quieter running, hardwire hookup, efficiency, lifespan. But a portable welder is cool.

beenthere · Oct 3, 2005

Should work, and I am thinking Gen set too, as well as some thoughts about a welder.
I am wondering about using my CUT as the power (PTO powered genset), to get portability, as well as run a welder. I figure I will likely always maintain the CUT that I have and that may not be the case if the engine powered welder/gen set doens't get used too often.
Field use of a generator might be handy at particular times, and taking the gen set to neighbors in times of downed electric lines might also be an advantage (for them!).
I believe there was a member (Trev?) who a few years ago was into this plan pretty heavy. What happened to Trev?
But interested in what you find out, and will be digging a little deeper into it too. Cheaper to use the CUT engine for power?
Pros and cons.

JESSE1 · Oct 3, 2005

I did the same thing nearly 5 years ago. We had a rare ice storm that knocked out power for several days. I used the opportunity to buy a new Miller Bobcat 225 NT with the Onan engine. They were rated at 8500 watts at that time. I ran a natural gas furnace, refrigerator, freezer, several lights and the TV.

Last week I sold the Bobcat and bought a new Miller Trailblazer 302 with the Onan engine. It's rated at 10,000 watts. I would suggest you buy the Miller Bobcat 250 instead of the 225. The 250 is totally enclosed and much quieter than the 225. My Trailblazer is fully enclosed and I can really tell the difference in noise level.

dmccarty · Oct 3, 2005

Kevin,

I have thought long and hard on using a generator/welder to power the house. I'm seeing the same price differences as you. I can get a welder/generator for what a good portable generator would cost. Maybe a bit less.

One concern I have with this approach is how much use am I going to get for my dollar? I want to learn to weld but I'm not going to be taking a class for a couple of years at least. My latest idea in the Power Generation Odessy is a DR Mower. Yes a DR Mower. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif DR sells a 6000/5500 watt generator that attaches to their mowers. The generator is around $700. Given that I'll be using the brush mower as well as the finish mower at least once a month year round I know I will use what I bought. I really don't want to use the generator but we need one when we loose power.... The DR Mower I am looking at buying has a 17 HP engine. I could provide more power but DR only has one generator.

I did find a couple of companies this weekend that allow you to generate power from you truck. One attached to the engine which I did not like while they other attached to your trannys PTO. Since I have a PTO tranny I could do this. The generator requires engine RPM around 1200 and creates 12KW. Course using a 275HP engine to generate 12KW which can be done with 24HP might not be the best use of the truck engine. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Later,
Dan

Knight9 · Oct 3, 2005

Jesse1,

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I would suggest you buy the Miller Bobcat 250 instead of the 225. The 250 is totally enclosed and much quieter than the 225. My Trailblazer is fully enclosed and I can really tell the difference in noise level. )</font>

Thanks for the heads up. I'm not sure what the price difference is to move up to the 250, but if it is reasonable I'll keep that in mind.

Kevin

JESSE1 · Oct 3, 2005

If you need or want to weld, the welder/generator combo will be a better value than just a generator. The Miller welders are built for industrial use and they'll last a long time as just generators.

I'd also like to go to school to learn the proper welding techniques but I work shift work and school would be next to impossible now. You can get a lot of useful information on Miller's website www.millerwelds.com under Education. Buy a pound of 6010 rods and start welding on a piece of scrap metal.

TBAR · Oct 3, 2005

I use my Miller Bobcat 225 to power a small weekend cabin.

One thing about them though they are loud. I have one with a Kohler engine and wish I had gotten the Onan as they seem quieter.

I have enjoyed using it to weld up my many projects.

Tbar

Knight9 · Oct 3, 2005

Tbar,

I checked Miller's site for sound specs. According to the spec sheet, at 7 meters distance, the Bobcat 225 rates 81.5 dB, while the 250 with Kohler rates at 75.5 dB and the 250 with the Robins comes in at 76.5 dB.

I thought I had seen the Onan engine as an option, but apparently not.

Kevin

Egon · Oct 3, 2005

Good evening Kevin. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I be just a few miles away from you in West Edmonton for a few days visiting my son.

You are having one nice fall.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif