Outer Limits 4x4 Board

wasnt sure where to post this, its not really auto elec, but hope someone can help
heres the scenario.
im at the nissan trials. ive snapped an upper coil spring support clean off the chassis and need to run my mig to weld the bugger back on. problem is my tiny 850 watt generator hasnt got the balls to run the mig. however 2 of my mates also have 850 watt genies. so i figure 3x850 watts is 2550watts. if i make up a lead with 3 plugs that all run into one lead in theory i should have at my disposal 2550 watts, which equates to in theory a little over 10 amps at 240 volts. the question is will this work? will it fry the 3 genies? will it fry the welder? will it fry my ar$e? and anyone else standing within 10 metres? will i burn down half of colo heights? will my nissan ever run again?

unfortunately this wont work :(
to be able to do this sort of thing you need to be able synchronise the phases of the power and frequency also need to be identical (generators fluctuate typically without sophisticated control systems in place)

Long story short, things are likely to go bang if you try it.

Matt

evil_hitman wrote:unfortunately this wont work :(
to be able to do this sort of thing you need to be able synchronise the phases of the power and frequency also need to be identical (generators fluctuate typically without sophisticated control systems in place)

Long story short, things are likely to go bang if you try it.

Matt

all 3 genies are 850 watt GMC jobs. is it possible to buy something without spending a fortune that would synchronise the whole shebang?

no.
Equipment that does this starts in the hundreds of thousand dollar figures to the millions.
so no.
you have 3 options, find a power point, hire a high power genny, hire a fuel powered welder.

Sorry

Matt

evil_hitman wrote:no.
Equipment that does this starts in the hundreds of thousand dollar figures to the millions.
so no.
you have 3 options, find a power point, hire a high power genny, hire a fuel powered welder.

Sorry

Matt

thanks all the same. thought i better ask the Q before trying it. might have to go shopping for a bigger genie, will one thats rated at 2400 watts be adequate or should i go even bigger? its a 160amp Mig with a 10 amp plug

a 10 amp plug means it should draw no more than 2400w (240v x 10 amp)
On the welder somewhere it should have an input wattage rating. Make sure the gennie can do this figure at least. (and make sure the figure on the gennie is for a constant load and not a surge load)
Other option is to buy a gennie with a built in welder (although it would be an arc welder).

Good luck
Matt

Not being a welder, I don't know how relevant this is, but check it out: http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... hp?t=76459

glad i asked the question before trying it. looks like i need to go shopping for a BIG genie

Have you considered hiring a generator from Kennards or other company?

If it is only going to be for infrequent use, and given the grief they usually end up giving you in the long run, it may be a more viable option to let someone else deal with the maintanace/"reliability turnover" of the gennies.

Kennards would be OK to deal with as they supply a lot of gear to the building trade, and time = money for builders. If the product/service was not reliable and well maintained then Kennards would probably be out of business by now.

SOME generators--usually the expensive Hondas have connections to allow you to connect multiple generators and syncronize them to do just what your trying to do.....

Nick

If you are still at the Trials...

Use 3 batts in series and use a Stick welder.

Bazzle