Help selecting a first welder

[MTJohn]

I have read all of the welder and wiring threads, but I'm not confident I understand everything I have read. My current thought is to purchase a Hobart Handler 210. I need a welder that can run on 10 gauge wire since that is all I have from the main panel to the garage and there is no reasonable option to change this. I would also like to be able to use the welder at the family cabin to run on a generator.

The HH210 info says the input amps are 24 at 230v if I am reading them correctly. I assume that means I could run this on a 30 Amp breaker with the 10 gauge wire. As to the generator, I have pasted the specs below. As I read them, I can run 40 amps at 240, but that seems too simple for me. Tthe generator plugs are 6-20R so I gather these are 20 amp plugs. That suggests to me that the 40 amps is 20 per plug and not 40 at one plug and the HH210 won't work. I haven't paid much attention to the generator watts - 5,000 continuous duty watts would seem adequate, but I admit to not understanding this that well.

I've spent hours researching this, but I'd appreciate guidance from people who actually know this stuff and are not semi self educated from internet research like I am. Mud is a great resource and I have learned a lot - just not quite enough.

 

[fj40charles]

10 gauge wire is good for 30 amps at 230 volts. The plug that comes with most 230 volt welders is a 6-50P (AKA known as welders plug/receptacle). This is different from the 110 volt plug and receptacle you see from from the back of the generator.

I don't think the generator is going to work for you.

 

[MTJohn]

I tried Hobart directly for an answer to this and this is what they said:

"The HH210 should be used on a 30 amp 230 volt circuit. Your generator can only provide 20 amps of 230 volt power. You will be able to power the unit from your genset but not to max output."

I can just do a short extension cord to convert the 6-20R to whatever male plug I end up with on the welder. If this all works - great. If it doesn't, all I'm out is the cost of the gender changing extension cord - plus I guess blowing up the generator.