Welding to a generator.

[Bobo]

A have a petrol generator that I use to power my mig. It puts out about 6kva so just about up to the job, seems to run the mig fine.

I want to weld some bracketry to the main frame as I'm mounting it on 2 wheels an want to put some wheel barrow type handles on the other end.

Do you think I'll be ok running the generator for the welder whilst in turn welding to the main frame. Or am I asking for a BIG BANG.

Cheers
Bobo.

 

[Fintray]

Check with a multimeter for any continuity between your welders earth connection and the generator and do the same for the torch connection, if no continuity it should be ok electrically but not sure if welding to the genny whilst running will cause any problems to the electronics via any voltage spikes.

 

[Bobo]

Ok thanks for the advice. I'll do that

 

[rich r]

Is there any reason why you can't take the welder and generator to somewhere with an electricity supply so that you don't have to worry about any issues? Might be easier to remove all risk that way. I suspect the generator chassis will be internally connected to it's earth terminal, whether that's at the same potential as your welder's earth clamp is the big unknown factor, in addition to what any fuses or RCDs on the generator will do with the big spikes of current when the arc strikes.

 

[madkayaker]

the earth on generator will be connected to the frame as will the ground off the battery if electric start etc. The "earth" (or more correcly return) from the MIG will be isolated from the earth of supply so shouldn't be an issue but its not something i would like to try unless i had to as AVR, alternator etc could possibly be damaged by the electrical noise from welding.

 

[Rudi McAnichal]

It might be sacrilege to suggest this on a welding forum, but could you simply clamp an axle onto one end of the genset frame and clamp handles onto the other end?

 

[Bobo]

I was wondering about some sort of clamping system so I didn't have to weld it. But maybe a better idea all together would be the taking the lot to a power source thus not needing to run the genie whilst welding it.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.
Which ever one I use, I don't think I'll chance running it while welding it aswell.

 

[the snooper]

build your axle with mounting plates and simlply use u bolts to attach it, or remove the genset from the frame then weld it most are only held in with 4 rubber mounts

 

[Bobo]

build your axle with mounting plates and simlply use u bolts to attach it, or remove the genset from the frame then weld it most are only held in with 4 rubber mounts

I have made the axles bolt on then 2 bolt on feet the other end of the genie and wanted to put some wheelbarrow handles on it aswell, that's what the brackets are for.