Re: engine driven welders
- From: wmbjk <wmbjkREMOVE@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 04 Apr 2006 15:05:05 GMT
On Mon, 03 Apr 2006 11:03:54 -0800, Alpine Kid <mral@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi,
I'm a software engineer that was retired by globalization, and I'm
looking for reviews and recommendations for a good home/semi-pro welder.
I live off the grid. I have done welding at the local high school for
the past few years but now I want to do it at home.
I want to be able to weld trailers and other misc things commonly found
in a good home shop.
What are folks experience with engine drdiven welders?
Al
I've been off-grid for ten years. All-electric home in NW AZ running
off a pair of SW4024 inverters, which have proven suitable for
powering a Lincoln SW 175 stick/TIG, Lincoln Power MIG 255, and a
Hypertherm Powermax 600. The stick and plasma can't be run at full
capacity from the inverters alone but that hasn't been much of a
limitation for my use. Backup generator is a home built unit, 14hp
single belt-driving a Delco 17SI at reduced rpm, output 2kW at 24V.
Until recently I used a Hobart 8kW 16hp welder-generator for heavy
welding, portable welding (never far from the shop door though), and
for occasional house-power backup. But it was heavy, loud, not very
efficient with fuel, and I don't do much stick anyway. So I sold it
and the stick-TIG and bought a Thermal Arc Pro Wave 185 which runs
nicely at full output off the inverters. My plan is to get a 6kW
generator to have a more efficient and portable combination. I tried
the new machine yesterday on a badly-tuned Yamaha 6kW at 5000'
elevation. It could handle 5/32 rod at 110A. I didn't have time to
diddle, it's possible the current could be turned up if the hot-start
settings are changed and if the generator had a clean air filter.
As you may have gathered from those comments, for my use I prefer
*not* to run a generator unless I really have to, and then the
smallest one possible for the shortest time. I'll be giving up some
capacity with the new setup but the combination of a 200 lb generator
and a 42 lb stick-TIG looks promising. My plan is to build a cart for
the generator that carries it at truck-floor height. Generator will be
cantilevered such that it can be rolled right into the truck, then the
cart detached to straddle the generator for transport. The welder can
be carried loose. Photos of its shop cart (1/4" U-bolt tank-restraints
added since). http://www.citlink.net/~wmbjk/welding_equipment.htm
Wayne
.
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