Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi there I need some advice....I live out in the bush with no mains power, I have a 6 kva generator and a fairly descent solar set up with an invertor that will handle up to 2000 watts. I'm just wondering if an inverter welder would run off either of these as they wouldn't come close to running my 130 amp stick welder. I want to be able to weld up to 5mm at least though mainly 3mm for bar work etc....anyone got any thoughts

Your stick welder really should run on the 6Kva. I'd be getting the genny and the welder tested.
What sort of length extension leads etc were you running, and what else was on at the time.

That said, an inverter welder should run on the genny, as they don't have as high a strike current as a standard stick.
Alternatively, you could look at a modified alternator as a welder. Then you could run it off your car engine or your genset, with appropriate bracketry. Google for "on board welder" or similar.

Cheers, Dean

We have the Mobi Arc [www.mobi-arc.com] http://www.perfectswitch.com/mobiarc150.htm

runs on the vehicle, and can be installed to run all the time, regulating 12v to the car, or to be "plugged in" as required.

i rember reading somewhere in the pamphlet that came with one of my tig inverters it was only suitable for use on a certain kind of gen set...

depends on what wave form etc i think from memory

Ice wrote:i rember reading somewhere in the pamphlet that came with one of my tig inverters it was only suitable for use on a certain kind of gen set...

depends on what wave form etc i think from memory

correct

an invertor welder needs the gen set to put out a true sinusoidel wave form, other wise the elsectronics will be damaged. however i cant see why the wire would arc welder wont work. maybe you are useing too small an extension lead to run it from the gen set. Voltage drop would be a big issue with a welder running a genny.

maybe get ya arc welder checked out first.

i don't think 2000 watts is enough, thats only 1.5 toasters

assuming you are on a high current setting to weld 5mm say 150 amps and the welder is about 30volts from memory than 150x30 is 4500watts


the other way around your maximum of 2000watts divided by 240 volts is only 8.33 amps,

or divide 2000 by 30 volts and its 66 amps at the welder setting but it would be luck to be 60%efficient so its like only 40 odd amps at the welder.

i would not use an inverter to power it you will have too many losses. the inverter is prob only 80% efficient, then the step down transfofmer in the stick welder as i said above further 40%loss etc. use 2 or 3 car batteries and a stick then charge them off the generator etc

cheers bru

Inverter welders need a good steady voltage, they do not like low voltages either.
Many small gensets do not have an AVR (Automatic Volatge Regulator) and these should not be used on an inverter welder.
You need to make sure the generator has an AVR!!

The inverter in the solar system should do the job fine, maybe use the genset to run a charger on the solar system batteries while you are welding.

I was also told once that you should also let an inverter welder have a cool down period before turning the power off.

kempster1 wrote: I was also told once that you should also let an inverter welder have a cool down period before turning the power off.

Mine runs for about 10-15 seconds after the power is turned off
is kinda freaky when its running and you have pulled the plug out

Can't really answer you question but according to CIG specs for a 130amp stick, your generator is a touch too small ...

Probably better off selling your stick welder and buying a petrol/diesel welder/generator.

RoldIT wrote:Can't really answer you question but according to CIG specs for a 130amp stick, your generator is a touch too small ...

Interesting. 2.4kVA GPO, but 6.7kVA generator?

What's that all about?

Scott

-Scott- wrote: Interesting. 2.4kVA GPO, but 6.7kVA generator?

What's that all about?

Scott

Not sure, a bit to do with powerfactor, and a bit to do with inrush/strike current, but I wouldn't have thought that high!

Cheers, Dean

It has a lot to do with the generator dropping dramatically in revs upon striking and thus voltage and current drop...I've seen welder generators for sale but they are usualy 2500 plus for a descent one

RoldIT wrote:Can't really answer you question but according to CIG specs for a 130amp stick, your generator is a touch too small ...

That welder is not an inverter welder.

Errr, I am aware of that.

I was using as an example as to why his current welder doesn't work on his current generator ...