UNIMIG 182 Minimum Generator Size in Australia

[bcg1976]

Hi All, Australian Welders in particular,

I've got a unimig viper 182 with a 10 amp plug.

The manual mentions 7.5kva of "rated power MIG". I'm used to thinking of an Australian 10amp plug being good for 2.4kw only. I'm gathering this isn't the case with welders.

I have a 3.2kva continuous generator which I am gathering won't cut the mustard. Looking at a 6kva continuous 8.4 peak diesel generator which might get me a bit closer. Sadly the jump from there takes me to 5 to 6k for a generator and it's not something I really want to do right now.

Can anyone here make some recommendations based on experience?

Thanks,
Brad

[MinnesotaDave]

Since you have the welder and the generator, try them and see what happens.

My experience is when the arc is struck, that momentary high current draw will bog the generator motor if it's not big enough (make it try to die).

Use the same extension cord you will use, plug into the wall to get it welding the way you want. Then plug into generator and see if it's the same.

Sometimes a little fine tuning will be needed since the power is a little different.

Power requirements are interesting.
My Thermal Arc 161 stick welder draws 12.7 amps, 230v while welding, but draws 25 amps during the initial arc strike.
It's that initial surge that causes the problem with generators.

[smithdoor]

Hi All, Australian Welders in particular,

I've got a unimig viper 182 with a 10 amp plug.

The manual mentions 7.5kva of "rated power MIG". I'm used to thinking of an Australian 10amp plug being good for 2.4kw only. I'm gathering this isn't the case with welders.

I have a 3.2kva continuous generator which I am gathering won't cut the mustard. Looking at a 6kva continuous 8.4 peak diesel generator which might get me a bit closer. Sadly the jump from there takes me to 5 to 6k for a generator and it's not something I really want to do right now.

Can anyone here make some recommendations based on experience?

Thanks,
Brad

You looking at right size 5 to 6 kw

Dave

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J320A using Tapatalk

[bcg1976]

You looking at right size 5 to 6 kw

Dave

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J320A using Tapatalk

Just rang unimig. Recommended minimum is 9KVA!

[MinnesotaDave]

Just rang unimig. Recommended minimum is 9KVA!

May be a little high, but not too much if at max welding amps.

It’s all about the arc initiation. If you want it smooth, the generator has to be oversize.

Lower than max welding amps and a smaller generator may work fine.

[bcg1976]

May be a little high, but not too much if at max welding amps.

It’s all about the arc initiation. If you want it smooth, the generator has to be oversize.

Lower than max welding amps and a smaller generator may work fine.

Yeah. Agreed.

Sadly the jobs are 10mm to 13mm and fixing some excavator buckets.

Amps will be pretty much maxed.

Just spent $5.5k on a generator to run a $500 welder! ;-)

I needed a decent diesel genny anyways for a solar backup...

[MinnesotaDave]

That's some thick material with long welds for a 180 amp mig. Is this the size machine you always use?

Are normal engine drive welders too expensive there? A 250 amp engine drive is $4500 on this side of the pond. More for a diesel though.

Generally when someone is asking about a generator for a small mig it's not for such a large project.