Can I run a Clarke 90EN from a 2.4kva generator?

[Crazy Harry]

Sorry, I know this crops up a fair bit but I've done a search and most people seem to ask the 'generator question' about more powerful MIG machines. The 90EN is pretty small beer, I'm only needing to do some smallish bits of VW bus bodywork.
Thanks.

Oh, and if not 2.4kva, what?

 

[malcolm]

I have no idea, though there was a recent post from someone with a Clarke 110 (15 more amps than yours) which might be useful: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=7368

General advice seems to be double the max input volts * amps. For lower settings you'll have less volts and amps and might just about get away with it, though I've no idea how you could work out the figures.

 

[Crazy Harry]

Thanks malcolm, I did see that post when I did a search ... seems hard to get a definitive answer to this question.
Part of the issue with the 90EN is that not only is it a relatively puny welder in the first place but for the kind of panel work I've got in mind it will be operating at the lower end of its power range anyway. Don't want to fork out for generator capacity I won't use.

 

[Crazy Harry]

ttt

Plenty of folks seem to want to know the answer ...

 

[fridgefreezer]

2.4kVA is approximately a 10A supply at 240v, which should be OK for running a welder on low power.

The problem with estimating if it will work or not is the various efficiencies and surges you get in a setup - you can't do it by maths alone.

For example, I use a ~160A welder on a household 13A supply and it works OK, however another welder may blow the 13A fuse due to different internals. My welder has a bank of capacitors and a large inductor on the output, a cheaper unit may not have these and could draw a large spike from the mains on striking an arc.

On the mains that's not such an issue - you can be cheeky and short the fuse or use a 16A or 32A socket - you've got the whole electricity grid to back you up. On a generator, you don't have the option - the alternator can't supply more than it's rated power.

Adding to the confusion, some stuff is rated for peak loads, some for constant. A good quality generator could provide 2.4kVA non-stop without blinking, and happily cope with a few spikes above and beyond, whereas a cheap "2.4kVA" unit may struggle to provide more than 2kVA continuously and could throw a paddy at the startup spike from powerful equipment.

If you can get a multimeter that measures amps, an ammeter or clamp meter you can measure how many amps your welder draws and work out if your generator will cope. I'd add at least 30% to any numbers you come up with though, if you welder draws 5A when running a bead at the level you want, expect to need a generator that can supply at least 8A.

 

[Crazy Harry]

Thanks fridge, that's helpful and I totally take your point about surges etc making the whole thing slightly unpredictable with 'budget' equipment.

 

[fridgefreezer]

Just to add, my clamp-multimeter (which was all of £30 from CPC) will actually measure peak current spikes.

Also, as a little example, if you've ever tried running a ~750W grinder from a ~1000W (or more) generator you'll notice that the grinder will spin up really slowly and slow down and labour once you start grinding because the genny can't make the current peaks the thing draws, even though it's rated to work OK.