welding off a generator

[Nigel D]

Hello - Ive been offered a workshop space at no rent but it is without electricity. I'd like to run my mig off a generator but want to make sure I get one with enough power and a steady enough current. My mig is a 135te Clarke mig 230v 50hz 1 phase 30-130 amps. Can anyone here say they have run a similar model off a genny? If so, could you recommend which specs I should be looking for in the genny?

Thanks in advance.

[Broccoli1]

Here in the USA we use 60hz so most members probably haven't run generator with 50hz

Where are you located?

[joshuabardwell]

Long story short, you need to look up the max inrush current for your welder, the at least double it for your generator's surge rating.

[blawless]

Unless you get at least, I say again at least a 10k "Quality" generator you can trust your asking for trouble. Your machine wont stand dirty power i.e. fluxuations. surges, irregular voltage, generator running out of fuel and the like, it will be destroyed. If your overseas check the power where your at. Almost everything in the US is 50/60Hz.

[manning]

How much do you plan to spend on fuel? Our milk processing equipment uses a lot of variable speed drives and doesn't tolerate power fluctuations at all (goes into a safety shut down mode). During power outages, we run a 150kW generator powered by a big, old Detroit Diesel. Provides power with less fluctuation than line power. The generator was inexpensive (<$5000), but is a thirsty machine.

I put it on a trailer for mobile power. It will run all of my welding and cutting equipment simultaneously without issue.

[Nigel D]

I see - I think with this advice I'll do what I can to get mains power in, rather than a generator. At that cost it seems far out of my reach.

I'm in London, but the welder is 50 hz as you mentioned.

Thanks for all your help, its much appreciated.

[shortfuse]

Nigel, maybe you could approach the landlord and suggest cost-sharing for running power to the shop. Power may be cheaper in the long run, considering generator cost plus fuel. It would benefit both and make his/her place more attractive for renting if and when you move on to other quarters.

[KG6BWS]

I ran my Miller MM175 for 5 years off of a Coleman 5000w generator I got at Home Depot. Ive now had it going on 10 years and it works as well as the day I bought it.