using a generator and MIG Welder (1 Viewer)

[tuloyuser]

Hello everyone,
This is 40 related because I want to weld stuff for a 1965 fj40.

I would really like to learn to weld, but currently the garage that I work in has no electricty... It would cost an electrician to wire it for $2000. So I was thinking of getting an electric generator ($600) with a 220 volt plug (30A) and then buying a 220 welder.

What is the problem with this idea? anyone done it?

Thanks again

 

[Mace]

Look at the amp draws for that generator and the mig. It can be done but I bet you will need a bigger generator than a $600 generator will get ya.

 

[1FE pig]

I'm with mace on this.I have a yamaha 3800 generator,And just got a hobart 250 plasma "the smallest one".It starts to cut then the plasma shuts down.

 

[MrMoMo]

Also make good note of the duty cycle of the generator, not all of them are 100% duty cycle at the advertised output. You will also want one that is not going to cycle on and off - or at least have the ability to lock it at high idle.

Try looking for a used engine driven welder. that way you can use it to generate electricity for other things in the garage (park it outside and make an access hole to the controls). You can also use it when your power goes out. I figure you can find an old one of these that will do the trick for you for around the same as all the other crap needed for your setup.

How far is your "garage" from your house? If it's not too far, you could think about running an extention cord - heavy gauge of course.

Not sure of the regulations where you live, but here you need a building permit to install permanent wiring in a building, and it must be inspected. However, you can run wiring in a building and not have it connected to mains - without a building permit or inspection. Just un-plug the building when you are not in it. You should even be able to run a 220 extention cord out to your garage - again depending on distance.

HTH

 

[honk]

Do you know about 'ReadyWelder'?

It's a mig welder that needs only two good car batteries for power and can weld most anything you're likely to try.
Costs from $400. to $500. approx., depending where you get it.

Look in the 'Vendors' forum of this site and see a member selling them.

 

[i4c4lo]

I have a 4,000 watt Honda generator and no more than 3 minutes into a weld it will shut the welder down and this is a 110v Miller welder. A friends garage that I work at once in a while - for the plasma - I have the compressor plugged in the garage and the plasma plugged into the generator. His garage is not wired for this much draw so we use the generator to help.

I think the ready welder is nice to have when you are out on the trail but not for home stuff. Just my 2 cents.

Good luck and have fun welding!

 

[tuloyuser]

I'm actually using a long extension chord (heavy duty) for the 110 V outlet. I did not know that there is such a thing as a 220 extension chord (heavy duty of course). I'll look for that and a "ReadyWeld". Thanks for all the info. I'm in the Los Angeles area and current code requires an inspection and running an underground wire.

thanks again

 

[trainrech]

We use smaller Clark 110V mig welders with 6000kw Multi-quip generators (the $1800 variety) on our jobsites with little problems.

 

[Zimm]

I'm actually using a long extension chord (heavy duty) for the 110 V outlet. I did not know that there is such a thing as a 220 extension chord (heavy duty of course). I'll look for that and a "ReadyWeld". Thanks for all the info. I'm in the Los Angeles area and current code requires an inspection and running an underground wire.

thanks again

go to an electrical supply house, tell them the nema receptacle #'s, and make a custom cord. it's the best way to get what you need.

 

[rusty_tlc]

go to an electrical supply house, tell them the nema receptacle #'s, and make a custom cord. it's the best way to get what you need.

You will also need the load (Watts or amps X volts) to calculate the guage wire required for the length of the run. The further the run the heavier guage wire required to carry a given load.
As has been mentioned look at the duty cycle of the generator if you go that route. Also allow 10 or 20 % extra for hot weather operation, almost all electrical equipment performance is derated for increase in temprature.

 

[trojan_knight]

how bout a gas powered welder like this hobart. http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/enginedriven/

 

[stanley]

Also make good note of the duty cycle of the generator, not all of them are 100% duty cycle at the advertised output. You will also want one that is not going to cycle on and off - or at least have the ability to lock it at high idle.

Try looking for a used engine driven welder. that way you can use it to generate electricity for other things in the garage (park it outside and make an access hole to the controls). You can also use it when your power goes out. I figure you can find an old one of these that will do the trick for you for around the same as all the other crap needed for your setup.

How far is your "garage" from your house? If it's not too far, you could think about running an extention cord - heavy gauge of course.

Not sure of the regulations where you live, but here you need a building permit to install permanent wiring in a building, and it must be inspected. However, you can run wiring in a building and not have it connected to mains - without a building permit or inspection. Just un-plug the building when you are not in it. You should even be able to run a 220 extention cord out to your garage - again depending on distance.

HTH

do they all publish the duty cycle? i have a colmean 5000er and the only mention of cycle is the number of hours running at 50%

 

[3_puppies]

I'm actually using a long extension chord (heavy duty) for the 110 V outlet. I did not know that there is such a thing as a 220 extension chord (heavy duty of course). I'll look for that and a "ReadyWeld". Thanks for all the info. I'm in the Los Angeles area and current code requires an inspection and running an underground wire.

thanks again

thats funny, as long as you don't Piss off the neighbors, who's gonna tell.

 

[brownbear]

You can go up to 50 feet generally on a 220 extension cord for a welder. I have a 10 gauge extension cable I can plug into my dryer plug in. Works really good.

But how far away is the garage?

 

[DieselROCKS]

I know up here you can do your own electrical work....might be worthwhile to look into that.

Electrical work isn't as scary as everyone makes it out to be.

 

[mabrodis]

I'm in the Los Angeles area and current code requires an inspection and running an underground wire.

My guess is this is for a permanent setup (which is ideal, but not required to weld). An extention cord running across the lawn is perfectly legal as long as you don't have that extention cord hard-wired in on the garage side (just plug in your welder directly to the extention cord, etc). It's common practice to make something that would normally be permanent, non-permanent by just putting a plug on the power cord for it...so it can be unplugged, then it's a temporary fixture and not subject to any inspection, etc...it should ofcourse still be a safe setup, but you should be fine with a extention cord (assuming it's not too far, etc).

One thing to remember when running any extention cord in the garage is your 220v line is NOT GFCI protected, so if it shocks something or you, nothing will stop it from keeping supplying current. With a normal garage GFCI (any general purpose outlet (which means any non-dedicated outlet) in the garage must be GFCI protected, and for good reason, lots of water in a garage, etc...in a normal electrical-code setup) outlet, if any current starts to flow somewhere other than the normal return (neutral wire), it'll trip...

Good Luck...

 

[Walton]

You can get a Lincoln Ranger gas welder with a LN25 wire feed suitcase...It's also a generator