WarthogARJ
New Member
- Messages
- 9
- Location
- Sheffield, UK
Hi all,
I want to do light/medium (+/- 50% Duty Cycle) from a Sealey Mighty Mig 150.
And place has zero AC supply.
Desired Application: 3mm steel brackets on steel shipping container.
Test pieces (done off AC supply at home): same brackets on thick steel
CO/Argon gas, steel MIG wire.
Adjusted feed rate and voltage ertc to get a "good weld".
QUESTION:
So if one wants to do MIG on generator/inverter, what are the cost-effect KNOWN ways that WORK?
(1) Generator:
I have a Kraftech (Chinese) 6.5kW rated one: fail (see below)
Obviously a BIG industrial generator (rental etc) would work, but I'd rather have my own system.
What has worked for others?
(2) DC/AC Inverter (like in caravans/boats/solar etc)
Tested a good quality one: 3kW continuous/6kW peak: poor weld resuls results (details below)
Anyone used a DC/AC Inverter to run a MIG?
My tests:
I CAN weld with AC supply: good weld.
But is EXACT same conditions, using either generator or inverter powered by car, cannot get a "good"/consistent weld.
As in, lots of spatter, poor penetration etc etc.
So using EXACT same settings, and a trained welder (not me, friend's son), did following:
(1) AC Supply: good weld (2 minute test)
As in consistent bead, good petretration etc.
MIG at +/- 15-20V, 40-60 amps (measured using Fluke current meter etc)
(2) Kraftech (Chinese) KT6500W generator: rated at 6kW
As described, VERY bad weld.
VERY poor penetration.
380V output: but my MIG cannot use that
3 x 240V outlets: rated 5 amps/socket.
We could obviously use only one socket.
Generator issue: when try to start, voltage "collapses".
Like goes from max (300V to zero).
Obviously the MIG needs more than 240V @ 5 amps to run.
So MAYBE run on much lower power requiring weld, but for me not good.
(3) DC/AC Inverter to supply MIG:
Rated 3kW continuous, 6kW peak
Max input 15V.
Running off car, the results are:
DC into Inverter from car:
12.5V @ 160 Amp peak, steadies down to +/- 130 Amps
AC output from Inverter to MIG:
212 V @ +/- 10 amps (jumps a lot)
MIG output (to weld):
+/- 15-20V and 40-60amps
Weld results:
Better weld than on generator, but pretty hit/miss/inconsistent.
Starts very bad (poor penetration/spatter etc) then improves a bit until at low end of "acceptable" after +/- 2mins.
Extra info:
Inverter powers electric kettle of 1100W (240V) well.
But fails to even start to run a heat gun set at about 1100W settings (checked befo on AC supply).
As in, LCD screen on heat gun lights up, but won't run.
Even at lowest setting.
Extra MIG Test:
(4) Inverter powering electric kettle (as a pure resistance "base load") and MIG.
Surprisingly, the weld is better, but not really acceptable.
The "bad" initial part is skipped, and it produces a almost acceptable penetration in a 2 minute test.
Conclusions:
(1) Generator supplying 5amps max per 240V output is a FAIL
(2) Inverter rated at 3kW continuous SHOULD work.
MIG needs 2.1kW in my job.
BUT....even though the measured values on Inverter DC in/AC out) and MIG DC out LOOK OK, weld is poor.
As described, needs both a "base load" plus a bit of time to get the Inverter up to "steam" in a 2 minute weld cycle.
Even then, weld not great
Thanks,
Alan
I want to do light/medium (+/- 50% Duty Cycle) from a Sealey Mighty Mig 150.
And place has zero AC supply.
Desired Application: 3mm steel brackets on steel shipping container.
Test pieces (done off AC supply at home): same brackets on thick steel
CO/Argon gas, steel MIG wire.
Adjusted feed rate and voltage ertc to get a "good weld".
QUESTION:
So if one wants to do MIG on generator/inverter, what are the cost-effect KNOWN ways that WORK?
(1) Generator:
I have a Kraftech (Chinese) 6.5kW rated one: fail (see below)
Obviously a BIG industrial generator (rental etc) would work, but I'd rather have my own system.
What has worked for others?
(2) DC/AC Inverter (like in caravans/boats/solar etc)
Tested a good quality one: 3kW continuous/6kW peak: poor weld resuls results (details below)
Anyone used a DC/AC Inverter to run a MIG?
My tests:
I CAN weld with AC supply: good weld.
But is EXACT same conditions, using either generator or inverter powered by car, cannot get a "good"/consistent weld.
As in, lots of spatter, poor penetration etc etc.
So using EXACT same settings, and a trained welder (not me, friend's son), did following:
(1) AC Supply: good weld (2 minute test)
As in consistent bead, good petretration etc.
MIG at +/- 15-20V, 40-60 amps (measured using Fluke current meter etc)
(2) Kraftech (Chinese) KT6500W generator: rated at 6kW
As described, VERY bad weld.
VERY poor penetration.
380V output: but my MIG cannot use that
3 x 240V outlets: rated 5 amps/socket.
We could obviously use only one socket.
Generator issue: when try to start, voltage "collapses".
Like goes from max (300V to zero).
Obviously the MIG needs more than 240V @ 5 amps to run.
So MAYBE run on much lower power requiring weld, but for me not good.
(3) DC/AC Inverter to supply MIG:
Rated 3kW continuous, 6kW peak
Max input 15V.
Running off car, the results are:
DC into Inverter from car:
12.5V @ 160 Amp peak, steadies down to +/- 130 Amps
AC output from Inverter to MIG:
212 V @ +/- 10 amps (jumps a lot)
MIG output (to weld):
+/- 15-20V and 40-60amps
Weld results:
Better weld than on generator, but pretty hit/miss/inconsistent.
Starts very bad (poor penetration/spatter etc) then improves a bit until at low end of "acceptable" after +/- 2mins.
Extra info:
Inverter powers electric kettle of 1100W (240V) well.
But fails to even start to run a heat gun set at about 1100W settings (checked befo on AC supply).
As in, LCD screen on heat gun lights up, but won't run.
Even at lowest setting.
Extra MIG Test:
(4) Inverter powering electric kettle (as a pure resistance "base load") and MIG.
Surprisingly, the weld is better, but not really acceptable.
The "bad" initial part is skipped, and it produces a almost acceptable penetration in a 2 minute test.
Conclusions:
(1) Generator supplying 5amps max per 240V output is a FAIL
(2) Inverter rated at 3kW continuous SHOULD work.
MIG needs 2.1kW in my job.
BUT....even though the measured values on Inverter DC in/AC out) and MIG DC out LOOK OK, weld is poor.
As described, needs both a "base load" plus a bit of time to get the Inverter up to "steam" in a 2 minute weld cycle.
Even then, weld not great
Thanks,
Alan