Hi, have a question on running a low power (max ~140A) gas mig through a generator

[BirdmanJohn]

Hi, yeah so been welding a few months now but using main electricity. A friend of mine is interested in taking up welding as a hobby (creative arty type). She has a garage but no power.

So, obvious question … can you run a low power gas mig (say 140A welder - mine is a wolfmig 140x so something like that) from a generator and if so, can you give me some recommendations on specific generators. Apparently she does actually have a generator (not sure what) so perhaps you could also advise on what the required specs would be so we can work out if this one might be a workable solution.

Also what (if any) are potential issues of running a welder from a generator vs mains.

Thanks for any advice, much appreciated

J

 

[gordon stephenson]

Yes it is possible to run from a generator, But it must be of sufficient output to cope with the inrush of power when striking an arc. How far away is her mains supply? She could perhaps use a good quality extension lead with maybe a 4mm wire core size.

 

[Dcal]

What will she be welding?
You will need a bigger generator than you think and the small 5hp engined types won't hack it.

Inverters don't like being run from a generator and will need a stabilised supply but it might be worth trying a cheap transformer welder on thin stuff.
Anything with electronics (displays and controls) will be at risk so the simpler the better.

 

[BirdmanJohn]

Metal sculpting would be the idea, nothing too thick I would think. I've recommended her the welder I bought as an entry level. A wolfmig 140x. Thin probably I will take mine over there and test out her generator and see what happens. I suspect it's too far away from the house to run a cable, the garage is not part of the house grounds, its one of a block.

What is a 'transformer' welder?

thanks

 

[Dcal]

What is a 'transformer' welder?

It's a welder that uses copper windings to reduce the voltage and increase the current to a value suitable for welding.
An inverter uses electronics to do the same thing.

The transformer welders are an older technology, but still widely used, they are also much heavier and can be AC or DC.
AC is simpler (so less to go wrong) but much less nice to use.

 

[BirdmanJohn]

And they can run gas? I only ask because having started welding myself only 6 months ago I found flux core welding infinitely harder to master. In fact I gave up on pretty quickly and found gas much easier to get my head around. Not sure exactly what she'll be welding but probably start like I did with cutlery and cnc off cuts.

Think she has a mind to try and emulate the sort of stuff I am making

 

[Dcal]

Love your stuff, especially your birds, so simple but brilliantly effective.
Just shows what can be achieved (if you have the artistic talent) with simple tools.
I could probably copy them but could never have created them in the first place, which is the real skill.

Your welder is a transformer type (I think)

 

[Justme]

I can only weld via a genny as we have no mains.

My 210amp mig would stall / break the 6kVa 10hp diesel genny but works fine on the 15kVa tractor PTO one.

Running the welder at sub 100amps the smaller welder can JUST cope but you do get the odd cold start at the higher end.

For car panels its ok on the smaller one. But do remember its a 400cc 10hp diesel with big fly wheel from elec start not a small unit.

 

[BirdmanJohn]

Thanks Dcal , and thanks Justme and Gordon for your input as well, much appreciated. Guess the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. I'll let you know what happens though might not be for a few weeks. Enjoy the rest of the weekend,

J