Welder run from a generator.

[jimbo84]

Does anyone have any experience of running an inverter welder from a generator? I've read mixed reviews online.

The particular set up is a thermal arc 175 se running from a 4.5kva clarke generator that has an AVR.

The Thermal arc manual states that exposing the welder to voltages greater than 265v is likely to cause problems but can't find out what tolerance the AVR has. May have to video the onboard voltmeter whilst striking up and letting off. Had it running ok today at between 60 & 80 amps but is it likely to fry my inverter after long term use on the genny do you think?

 

[Tigman]

my little thermal arc wouldnt have it warning light came on straight away , no idea why ,never tryed it again !

 

[addjunkie]

Sure mine says in a the book you need 6 kva minimum, or maybe thats a similar model.

Ive used mine from an 8 kva gen set, worked ok, but Id not want to do it all the time.

 

[8ob]

My small inverter welder kills my 6kva genny, takes way to long to catch up after striking an arc. Some on here run them on smaller genny`s with no issues

Bob

 

[jimbo84]

Cheers guys. In the manual it says to use a 10kva generator, assuming that's if you want to go full tilt on the welder which pulls 17amps but I've never needed to go full up on the welder and it's fitted with a 13a plug anyway. It does put a big load on the genny on striking the arc but the arc seems ok. I wouldn't want to go much higher with the amps though. It's more whether it's likely to fry the circuitry in the inverter welder or not, I'm hoping the AVR on the genny will prevent that but not sure how fast at stopping spikes they are.

Interesting that your thermal arc set didn't like the genny @Tigman maybe that's a warning sign for mine.