Running an Inverter mig from a generator? - ESAB Caddy Mig 160i

[dhutch]

I have a ESAB Caddy Mig 160i and would like to be able to run it from a generator.

The manual on their site appears to state :

"Single phase mains connection makes it easy to find an electricity supply for the unit, and it works equally well when powered by a portable generator*.
*To obtain full output use a 10 KvA portable generator with automatic voltage regulation"
Mains supply 230v 50/60hz +/- 15%

Although I am sure that is used to to say 5.5 kVA last time I looked...

The data plate says I imax = 10A I ieff = 17.5A which is far less than 10kVA



Which all leaves me a bit stumped.
- A 5-6kVA petrol frame genny is cheap and portable power, and would be ideal.
- Something 10kVA is huge, typically Diesal, and not really feasible to put in a car! mea

Also, what does 'with automatic voltage regulation' mean? All gennys will have some form of regulation, but is is asking for something else clever or more expensive?

If I can run it, and get some half decent welds (if not quite full power...) from a cheap portable petrol 5-6kVA genny, that could also run my air compressor and hence needle scalers, that would be great. If it needs a £2500 diesel lump, on wheels, the needs to go in a trailer and be a three person lift, I might forget that and just wait till the odd times I have mains power.


Daniel

 

[octo0072000]

inrush start up currant can be double currant needed to run it, AVR is found on more costly gennys that produce near sine wave cheaper is square wave not good for sensitive electronics

 

[Rig Pig]

You need a powerful heavy generator that won't dip or spike when the load comes on an off, the AVR (automatic voltage regulator) is very important for fragile circuit boards!

 

[Jim Davey]

Rule of thumb for running of inverter powered by a generator is find out the mains KVA and double it when specifying the generator.

 

[normspanners]

My r tech 180 says it will run off 6kva genny with AVC. but that was for full amps,
but have a look at my post re running a battery in earth circuit.http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/...ilable-mig-welding-current.48899/#post-548625
I wouldnt use an inverter with the battery method it would have to be an old school machine.
You may like me, have an old small machine hanging about to use on the genny.

 

[Justme]

All my welding is done via a genny.

I use an Awelco 210amp transformer mig.

For low amp (sub 100amps so about 50% of the genny capacity) thin stuff I use a 6kVa diesel genny non AVR.
Always with about 20-50m of cable. Works ok but just does not feel quite right unless its car thickness stuff so sub 50amps ish.

When doing thicker stuff I get the 15kVa tractor mounted genny out. Tend to have less cable as the tractor can go to the work easier than moving the 200kg 6kVa. The difference is amazing. Thinner stuff becomes much easier & thick stuff is as it should be. Again I would be running at about 50% of genny capacity when at full 210amps. On this one its like being on the mains.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

All my welding is done via a genny.

I use an Awelco 210amp transformer mig.

For low amp (sub 100amps so about 50% of the genny capacity) thin stuff I use a 6kVa diesel genny non AVR.
Always with about 20-50m of cable. Works ok but just does not feel quite right unless its car thickness stuff so sub 50amps ish.

When doing thicker stuff I get the 15kVa tractor mounted genny out. Tend to have less cable as the tractor can go to the work easier than moving the 200kg 6kVa. The difference is amazing. Thinner stuff becomes much easier & thick stuff is as it should be. Again I would be running at about 50% of genny capacity when at full 210amps. On this one its like being on the mains.

PTO generators do seem a fair bit cheaper than standard generators even if you include the fact you have to provide your own engine. I am watching a couple on eBay now.
What size of tractor do you use to power your 15KVA generator?

 

[Rig Pig]

PTO generators do seem a fair bit cheaper than standard generators even if you include the fact you have to provide your own engine. I am watching a couple on eBay now.
What size of tractor do you use to power your 15KVA generator?

Remember most of them are 3ph and won't like a heavy unbalanced single phase load.

 

[Justme]

Mine is single phase.

I run it on a Massey Ferguson 165.

It costs more to run a PTO genny that the equivalent sized normal genny. Mainly due to the much larger engine & needing to be at PTO speed.

However that big engine & its higher rotating mass & the speed governor do make the quality & stability of the electric loads better.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Remember most of them are 3ph and won't like a heavy unbalanced single phase load.

Not all of them are 3 phase though, and a lot of them are backup gennies for milking parlours in case of power failure so haven't seen much work.

 

[Richard.]

I don't know a great deal about this subject so please correct me if I'm wrong. But I think that when you buy a generator the kva advertised with it is it's maximum surge power it will give you when you first put load on it not its continuos power. A surge from a welder can be double it's continuos kva so I would guess you do need at least a 10kva gen if your welder will run at 5kva. AmpsXvolts then double it. Is my guess.