Buying mig for DIY to work with generator

[Grzegorz]

I have small lock up garage where I work on my car and my friends cars, recently I bought 6.5kW /8.1kVa portable generator to be able to use some power tools/lights etc.

Will this generator be enough to run clarke mig 151te or similar (still searching for the right one)

I want to learn welding and make some stuff for my car so mostly thin stuff.

gen have 2 x 115V 16A sockets, 1 x 230V 16A socket

Anyone have experience with welders and power generators is it worth a shot?

Cheers

 

[BrokenBiker]

have a look on the data plate on the welder, it will give the kW and kVA rating, if these are below that of the genny it should work, but no guarantee's some welders don't like running from genny's and some genny's just don't like running welders. I have a 5kVA welder and it wont run on anything less than a 8kVA genny, and even then its not as smooth and stable as when on mains power

 

[blenkie1]

I have a similar sized genny (8 kva) and it powers my 240amp mig ok. Keeps tripping the power on high stuff but will weld 3mm no problem.

 

[blenkie1]

Running welders and other stuff at the same time might test it.

 

[BrokenBiker]

is your genny AVR? a lot of migs don't like non AVR genny's either.

I can run my stick welder from a genny no problem, but its an inverter and uses less overall power anyway

 

[Grzegorz]

Geny is AVR indeed

I didn't buy welder jet so I don't have access to any welder to test if it will work, I think I will drop to machine mart and check some welders rating.

I initially think that Mig is the best way for beginner, my only experience with stick is my dad welder witch is old very old piece of equipment.

Well I have few weeks to think and do more research and I found this forum yesterday so I am in for a lot of reeding

Cheers!

 

[BrokenBiker]

mig is best for cars. I prefer arc for general fab work on 3mm and up, and tig for small stuff on the bench.

 

[Rig Pig]

You will have more chance if this is an old school gen set, they were a bit more robust than the Far East aluminium wound alternators.