Running welder off a generator

[Scott V]

Try it, and see is the correct answer. I have had inverter welders vary widely between brands/type.. I had two machines tested on the same generator one time.. My Esab 2200i AC/DC would output about 165 amps AC tig welding off of my 6000 watt MQ-6000 genny. The Thermal-arc 186 would output 200 amps AC off the same setup..I get in between 140 to 160+ amps DC stick welding on all the little inverters dc stick/machines on the same genny.. Lot of the little wire-feeds will output over 200 amps on the same genny.

Tons of experience running small 120 volt machines on my 3500/4000 inverter genny too.

Plasma cutters are another interesting thing to run off of generators. Arc length,nozzle size, plate thickness all are a factor on the output to input power ratio. Adding a compressor to the mix is is interesting too. Lot of difference in those too.. i use my Tektronix amp meter to measure the input/output of these things..One of the best tools to own when you want to know where you are..

My favorite plasma cutter on my MQ-6000 genny is my Thermal-dynamics Drag-gun 35C.. 240 volt /35 amp output with built in compressor. Cuts 3/8 real easy without throwing a breaker.. You can cut thicker, but for a shorter time.. Duty-cycle is a issue with breakers too.. You can pull a bit more out of some machines for a little extra time, but not long cut/etc...

[Stickrunner76]

Ok seems like I'm gonna be ok then . Not gonna run anything but stick off my gen. Stick seems to work the best and is most efficient on equipment ( or at least to us loggers ) . Thanks alot for the feed back guys !!

[Stickrunner76]

Greywynd I wont get disappointed nor am I looking for the answer that I like best ! If it doesn't work then I'll get bigger and better setup simple as that ! There's no give up or quit here ! Just asking for a lil advice or past experiences to kinda know what foot to lead with persay

[greywynd]

Not sure where you’re located, best option is to pay a little more up front and make it right from the beginning. Used portable welders can be found sometimes pretty reasonable, even cheaper if they need some repairs sometimes and one is willing to take a chance.

Even brand new can be found for a few thousand, all kinds of welding power, and a generator to boot.


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[Stickrunner76]

Well I've watched several YouTube videos of Lincoln 225 tombstone/buzz box welders being ran off same exact gen. That I have . I've also found an inverter welder that is 200 amp DC with a 80% duty cycle at 200 amps that is all gen. Makes /models Friendly ! So I am gonna buy this inverter welder ! I chose to go this route for a few reasons ....
1Didn't want a big gen.welder that I can't take off truck easíly I need be ( broken equipment is in spot truck can't make it all the way to )
2 I already own a generator that I traded for real cheap for this purpose
3 it's simpler , easier , cheaper to unload a gen. With maybe an 18lb inverter welder and roll it closer to work piece than it is to buy several hundred feet of leads and hope I still can reach my work piece . Worst case scenario I load gen and welder in crawler bucket or whatever I can to make it to said machine being worked on .
I feel this is my best option all the way around ! Trust me when it comes to logging and repairing logging equipment simple is better and faster more efficient !
Thanks everyone for your input/advice