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    World Champion Decade Plus User alladdin's Avatar

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    running MIG from generator

    anyone ever run a mig from a " small " portable gen set ?

    i will be using fairly low amps as its car panels and i know i need a decent kva ( i will be checking current draw on different settings when i get 5 min) to allow for ark start . i just wondered if its troublesome etc as its a lot of stop/start use.

    any experiances ?

    cheers.

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    Racer Decade Plus User rallyrob's Avatar

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    Re: running MIG from generator

    Hi alladin

    yes I run my old 150amp ERP mig on a Chinese 5.5kva recoil/pull start generator.

    No issues that I've had, It'll run pretty much up to full ish power welding 3 an 4mm plate.

    I welded on my own feet, swivel handles and mounted wheels on axles to be able to move it like a wheelbarrow, it weighs approximately 90kilos, so I could only just about lift it off the floor.

    It's similar in appearance to the Clarke Gennie I've linked to but without the electric start.

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clarke-PG...AAAOSwZBheiN4m

    Not necessarily very portable I know. I tried a small 2.5kva gennie to start with but it was having none of it and as soon as you strike an arc with it the gennie just cut out.
    Last edited by rallyrob; 28-01-2021 at 11:21.

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    Mechanic lowscorts's Avatar

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    Re: running MIG from generator

    fine on a regular generator, but it'll kill and inverter (suitcase/silent) type one fairly quickly as they don't like high continuous loads

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    Re: running MIG from generator

    Quote Originally Posted by rallyrob View Post
    Hi alladin

    yes I run my old 150amp ERP mig on a Chinese 5.5kva recoil/pull start generator.

    No issues that I've had, It'll run pretty much up to full ish power welding 3 an 4mm plate.

    I welded on my own feet, swivel handles and mounted wheels on axles to be able to move it like a wheelbarrow, it weighs approximately 90kilos, so I could only just about lift it off the floor.

    It's similar in appearance to the Clarke Gennie I've linked to but without the electric start.

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clarke-PG...AAAOSwZBheiN4m

    Not necessarily very portable I know. I tried a small 2.5kva gennie to start with but it was having none of it and as soon as you strike an arc with it the gennie just cut out.
    i used to run my 175amp mig off my 5.5kva jenny, ran it no probs, till some b****** broke in and pinched the jenny, hope this helps

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    Racer Decade Plus User rallyrob's Avatar

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    Re: running MIG from generator

    Quote Originally Posted by rallyrob View Post
    It's similar in appearance to the Clarke Gennie I've linked to but without the electric start.
    Not sure why but I can't seem to get any of these links to work.


    https://www.ebay.co.uk/371862351313
    Last edited by rallyrob; 28-01-2021 at 20:20.

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    Re: running MIG from generator

    i would go for a Silent Inverter Generator its more friendy to your ears
    sideways is the best way to turn a corner

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    Re: running MIG from generator

    Quote Originally Posted by jimmy2006 View Post
    i would go for a Silent Inverter Generator its more friendy to your ears
    But will it be as friendly with the welder ?

    And on the same note....are inverter welders happy off generators ? I'd guess an older welder would be a little more forgiving ?

    Or get modern....battery pack ? Would probably cope with lower welding currents fine. For bodywork on a car, I rarely use my welder higher than setting 3-4, more usually at 2.

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    Re: running MIG from generator

    Inverter generators don't like high constant loads close to their max as it wipes out the inverter board very quickly, possibly the same with a welder and a messy signal from a generator

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    World Champion Decade Plus User alladdin's Avatar

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    Re: running MIG from generator

    its a cebora 150 - had it many years, just transformer.
    and like everything theres a budget to work with ...............
    ive lost the electic supply on the garage the shell is in (well - only small capacity) so its just a case of move it or use a genny.
    i dont want to spend £800 on it as its just for a temp issue really.

    noise not an issue - i will put it outside lol.

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    World Champion Decade Plus User alladdin's Avatar

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    Re: running MIG from generator

    this would be ideal if it would do the job. how do you tell if its inverter type if not mentioned ?

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Portable-....c101195.m1851

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    World Champion Decade Plus User alladdin's Avatar

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    Re: running MIG from generator

    bigger o/p
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zana-8-5K...YAAOSw~nBgDtru

    although i think they all cook the books with the ratings

    but at least i know its possible on 5kva - cheers chaps. i may even put a clamp meter on and check current pull on lower settings to see what ive got.

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    Re: running MIG from generator

    That should do it, though we've got a tingtong 4kva generator and its actually about 2.2 as the engines the wrong size, worth keeping an eye on the power switch and plugs as these aren't great quality and melt/fall apart running high loads

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    World Champion Decade Plus User alladdin's Avatar

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    Re: running MIG from generator

    Quote Originally Posted by lowscorts View Post
    That should do it,
    which were you refering too ?

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    Re: running MIG from generator

    Either of the generators you listed, bigger it is the less it'll have to work

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