Welding and Generators..

[Ceri]

Ok, the time has come for me to invest in a Generator to run my Cebora pocket mig..

I have worked out what kind of output i need from a Genny.. but i am a bit worried as i have been told that the uneven "dirty" sine wave that a genny puts out could damage the regulator on my welder as a non uniform wave causes overheating.

I have also been told that this is why generators specifically built for welding are so expensive as they contain large expensive capacitors etc to "clean" the electricity up.

If there is anyone here with any experience of welding with a Genny i'd really appreciate your input.

Many thanks!

x

 

[madkayaker]

if you got a large ups for a pc that would sort the problem

 

[hotrodder]

Unless your welder is 'generator safe' i.e. has surge protection you really want a genny that'll run it with a quite a bit in reserve or a 'clean' genny. The issue is voltage spikes, 230VAC is an RMS value, the peak voltage is around 325V but that varies- more with gennys than from the mains. They're more likely to surge when pushed hard or run low on fuel

Generator safe welders have specs for max peak voltage as well as RMS values, for example my inverter is rated at 110 - 230 V +/- 10% RMS with a peak of around 410V.

 

[Ceri]

Unless your welder is 'generator safe' i.e. has surge protection you really want a genny that'll run it with a quite a bit in reserve or a 'clean' genny. The issue is voltage spikes, 230VAC is an RMS value, the peak voltage is around 325V but that varies- more with gennys than from the mains. They're more likely to surge when pushed hard or run low on fuel

Generator safe welders have specs for max peak voltage as well as RMS values, for example my inverter is rated at 110 - 230 V +/- 10% RMS with a peak of around 410V.

hello and welcome to our planet!

you're talking martian, right???

 

[hotrodder]

does this help at all?

 

[Ceri]

nice map.. is that of your galaxy?

all i want to know is.. this "dirty sine wave" thing.. will it damage my welder? do i HAVE to get a generator specifically for welding or is there a cheaper way of cleaning up the sine wave into a more regular pattern by use of some kind of "in line" device?

 

[madkayaker]

nice map.. is that of your galaxy?

all i want to know is.. this "dirty sine wave" thing.. will it damage my welder? do i HAVE to get a generator specifically for welding or is there a cheaper way of cleaning up the sine wave into a more regular pattern by use of some kind of "in line" device?

A computer ups will sort it out as it stops over/ under voltage and has a battery and capacitor to sort out bad harmonics

 

[Ceri]

A computer ups will sort it out as it stops over/ under voltage and has a battery and capacitor to sort out bad harmonics

will it be able to cope with 6.5kva?

 

[madkayaker]

if you get one big enouth. How did you arive at 6.5KVA

 

[Ceri]

The work i do at the yard accounts for appx 3.2 but i'd like to be able to expand on that so i doubled it.

 

[madkayaker]

OH so you want a genny to run several appliences. You would only want a UPS for the welder

 

[Ceri]

OH so you want a genny to run several appliences. You would only want a UPS for the welder

its the only way i can justify the spend.

The majority of welder generators i've looked at have been 5kva + I also need to run a log splitter, flood lights, grinder, kettle (they pull a lot believe it or not!) and a few other bits and bobs.

but the only thing that needs a clean supply is the welder.

 

[madkayaker]

so what is the KVA of the welder

 

[Ceri]

so what is the KVA of the welder

4.1 KVA max

 

[madkayaker]

so thats the size of the UPS you would need

 

[Ceri]

so thats the size of the UPS you would need

yeah, that makes sense.. i have a horrible feeling that its not going to be cost effective..

 

[hotrodder]

Just curious, how much would such a UPS cost?

 

[madkayaker]

not cheep looked on RS and they were £1400 + vat.

 

[Ceri]

so i guess its going to be buy a welder genny and a normal genny for the other stuff..

pah!