Welder on generator

[Chris2]

Hi all. I'm in need of another welder. We go to the local mud park 5-7 times a year and I'm looking to get rigged out with some portable tools. I run my camper with a 4000 Peak 3500 Watt generator and would like to have a welder to bring along with me for any repair I may have to make to the mud rig, thankfully I haven稚 needed one yet but one day I'll break something and a welder could save the weekend. So my questions are:
What size welder can my gen support? I'm thinking of getting this Northern Industrial ST80i Inverter-Based Stick Welder with TIG Option — 115 Volt, 20 - 90 Amp | Arc Welders | Northern Tool + Equipment
or this
http://www.harborfreight.com/welding/arc-welders/80-amp-inverter-arc-welder-91110.html
Is it bad to let them sit unused for long periods of time? Because this welder may only get used once a year if that much. And because of this I would like to keep it on the inexpensive side but if I need it I want it to work.
I have thought of getting a welder/generator but not sure about spending that much cash on something that will hardly get used. And my little generator is very quiet for camping.
Thanks for the help.

 

[rhett]

A question about your generator.
Does it have a 30amp RV outlet?

watts to amps:
watts divided by volts = amperage
3500 / 120 = 29.166amps (RV outlet)
3500 / 240 = 14.58amps (240 outlet and/or 120 outlet legs)

any 120V welder will need 120V, 20A service.

Yes, a RV outlet will power either of those units. A 120V, 15amp leg will keep blowing the breaker.

 

[Chris2]

I may have been too quick on the draw for those two welders, after doing some more research I would like to step up to a lager one like the longevity 140 or something similar.
My gen does have an RV receptacle that is only 110v but it also has one of these.
Locking Receptacle, Single, 30 A, L14-30R - Twist Lock Devices - Plugs and Receptacles - 1PKK4 : Grainger Industrial Supply
Would it would power a 140 too full amps?
I'm real good at fab work and mechanics but not so much on electrical.
How can I find the amp draw of the longevity 140 at full load on 220v?

 

[rhett]

How can I find the amp draw of the longevity 140 at full load on 220v?

I looked in the manual and on their website and could not find that information either. Might I suggest you call the toll free number and ask directly, they are Pacific time zone (2 hour difference from us).

Longevity Toll Free Phone: 1-877-566-4462

Note: You will also want to ask when the StickWeld 140 will be available, they are back ordered right now, AirGas bought the entire inventory recently...

 

[Chris2]

Thanks rhett I'll give them a call. I'm not stuck on the Longevity brand but after watching some YouTube of the HF welder I decided that one isn't for me.

 

[rhett]

WT? must have been drunk.... Apologies if the dribble offended anyone

 

[deereman75]

If this helps any, I have a longevity stickweld 250, and I love it. It is a very good machine, and they seem like a very good company. I am sure the 140 is a very good machine, it would be on the top of my list if I was getting a small portable welder.

 

[rhett]

I to have a StickWeld 250, burning a few WearSheild MI rods today, smooth. It is a nice running machine, would have gotten the StickWeld 140 but they were backordered at the time.

 

[FredH]

The 140 series at Everlast draws max 30 amps on 110/120 and 25 amps on 220/240 , so I would imagine that the Longevity would not be much if any different ??? So , based on that you should be able to power it to max with your generator as long as there is no other draw on the generator at that time .

Fred H.