generator capacity

[ews]

Hi.
New here. Found this site via the http://www.daihatsu-drivers.co.uk/ . I Have a Clarke 151 TE Mig unit, basiscally a hobby unit and would like to use the machine remote from a mains supply, can any one advise me as to what KVA generator would power this little Mig unit. I have been offered a 2.8 KVA generator but been advised it would not be man enough for the job, so advice needed please. I make small metal sculpture work , max thickness in mild steel is aprox 3 mm and it would also have to power a couple of lights , Bench drill, small angle grider, though not all once, have not that many hands !!!!!

 

[mike os]

no where near big enough except maybe for the odd tack.

My guess:- welder 13a/3kw & say 1kw for lights ( assuming halogen floods?)

so need at least 16a continuous output.= 4Kw minimum capacity genny, & as I prefer only a 60% cycle I would be looking more like 5-6kva

power tools mentioned are irrelevant as the welder will use the most power by far.

If it keeps tripping or brown out you will only get ****** with it.....& it will break

 

[the snooper]

i have a diesel 5kva genny
150 amp MIG on full didn't like the generator at all
140 amp arc welder using 3mm murex rod slightly better then the MIG but only slightly
didnt try it on a lower setting

 

[Robotstar5]

It's been mentioned in a few threads that you need 3 times input power, have a search to confirm.

 

[the snooper]

It's been mentioned in a few threads that you need 3 times input power, have a search to confirm.

more in some cases brightspark measured the inrush of his compressor and it was 55 amp

 

[mike os]

55A? friggin A man.....


not goin to like a 3kva genny then

 

[the snooper]

55A? friggin A man.....


not goin to like a 3kva genny then

only very briefly though

 

[ews]

Belated thanks to all that helped with this issue of what KVA generator would be suitable for my Clarke 151TE Mig unit.

I purchased a 5.5/6KVA electric start diesel generator,(Chinese made) , which I run on a veg oil/diesel mix, we have lots of veg oil mix left over from running a Diahatsu Fourtrak, the Land Rover Defender TD5 won’t play with this mix.

The genny runs the welder fine for the work I do, and refurbishing a trailer chassis, (3mm wall rectangular box) but on test will almost stall on approaching max settings for the welder. So if you plan to use a generator to run a welder, you really need to max out those KVA’s