Generator Welders That ALSO Plug In?

[DirtyLittleSecret]

Wanted to find out whether anyone knows of a generator welder that also allows one to "plug in" and use the welder without running the generator motor? I coulda swore that there's one out there...
Something for construction sites where you might be without power until you get it hooked up, and be able to save $$$ by not having to run the fuel, maintenance, etc involved with the motor.

[David R]

I have never heard of it. I can plug my arcmaster 185 into my ranger 250. Gas welders are for remote use. The generator motion is made by the gas engine. Lincoln used to make "motor generators" which were the arm and rotor from a gas welder driven by an electric motor. This made nice DC current with out rectafiers. (I'll try speel checker)

David

[TozziWelding]

The Miller Pipe Pro 304 has that option, but at $12,000 I think you could buy more than a few smaller welders. Also from what I have heard they have some reliability issues.

[DirtyLittleSecret]

Originally Posted by TozziWelding

The Miller Pipe Pro 304 has that option, but at $12,000 I think you could buy more than a few smaller welders. Also from what I have heard they have some reliability issues.

THATS THE ONE.
I knew that there was at least one out there (my buddy has it sitting in the backyard). Doesnt this make sense though?
Is there any others?

[LuzRD]

are you looking to buy a machine with this capability or just looking for info because your buddy has one?
if your looking to buy, id consider a machine that has all the features you want and then just get a generator to power it.

[DirtyLittleSecret]

I WAS looking into them for another buddy up in AK. Called around and had one dealer who was insanely adamant that there has never ever never been a generator/welder built like that. My other buddy actually has one. I was wondering whether Id had lost my mind or something, and figured itd be a good thing to post up on the forums for posterity's sake. I myself am holding out on buying a generator as my mother may be giving me her Honda 5200.
Seems like everyone I know is running 300A+ systems.

[wallythacker]

So there's a gas powered rig out there where you plug an AC cable into it to run the welder side without starting the engine? It that it?

What benefit is that ?

[DirtyLittleSecret]

Think construction phasing.
Early phases of construction you would need to run the generator, but in later phases you'd have it hooked to the grid at which point you could "plug in" rather than run the generator (wasting fuel/racking up maintenance costs/etc). Would also allow you to use the generator for other uses if needed. Just makes it so you arent trashing your box so much.

[wallythacker]

Ok, that makes some sense. But I'd expect those Trailblazers to be tough SOBS for $12k so running them might be better for them?

[MAC702]

Originally Posted by wallythacker

So there's a gas powered rig out there where you plug an AC cable into it to run the welder side without starting the engine? It that it?

What benefit is that ?

To be more specific, The Miller Pipe Pro 304 is a 3600RPM diesel generator that provides power to what is essentially a built-in XMT 304 inverter-based welding power source. This is what gives it its excellent arc that rivals Lincoln generators, but without their legendary reliability.

But since it contains an inverter-based power source for the welding, it can also be powered by shore power, single or three-phase.

As mentioned, it is not a cheap machine. And you could accomplish the same things on a smaller scale with a cheaper generator and a smaller inverter-based welding machine like a Maxstar or Dynasty.

[enlpck]

Much cheaper with a seperate welder and generator. Maxstars run fine on even small generators (Note: I don't know if Miller recommends this, but I'v don it with mine and know several poeple that do it wih theirs). My 150 will run on a 3500W generator pretty much full tilt for TIG. Havent gone above about 100A on stick with that setup. I also have run acoss a pile of people that run XMT's on 10KVA generators.

[Washman]

Bad news the price is even higher check their web site it's actually
$14,333.00 US ....

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...n/pipepro_304/

A great, "BIG BLUE" machine that is T-t's for the Pipeline crews, but a little too much machine for the home shop... snicker

Definately targeted to a particular area of the welding industry if ever there was one.

Washman

[MAC702]

Originally Posted by Washman

Bad news the price is even higher check their web site it's actually
$14,333.00 US ....

Nobody pays List Price. $11,410 is more realistic:

http://www.brwelder.com/indextemplat...&SubCategory=7