Portable welder advice
Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 06, 2015 at 18:03
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AlbyNSW
So what do you electrical/welder experts think?
I have a KIPOR 5.5KVA generator (rated at 5.0 KVA continuous output. )
I am thinking of getting
THIS Rossi welder
http://www.ebay.com.au/ulk/itm/130926735450 as it seems to have a good range. It says that they recommend a 5.5KVA generator. So is that 5.5 peak or continuous and given it has a range from 20 to 200 amps is that only an issue when cranking full amps?
I wont necessarily be using it off the genie all the time but definitely want a welder that I can run off it
Appreciate any advice
Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Tuesday, Oct 06, 2015 at 18:45
Tuesday, Oct 06, 2015 at 18:45
Alby,
Bloke I used to work with was going to use a set-up like yours, in lieu of a motorised welder, an expensive necessity on large stations,
He reckoned an 8 KVA genie was the go. Assume he'd been advised of the size to get?
Don't know if the Kipor would be big enough........suppose you could only try it?
Bob
AnswerID:
591265
Follow Up By: AlbyNSW - Tuesday, Oct 06, 2015 at 18:59
Tuesday, Oct 06, 2015 at 18:59
Thanks Bob
I already have the Genie so was more looking for a welder to use with it. I was figuring that rather than buy a smaller say 140 amp unit I may as
well have one with the larger capacity and dial it down when using on the genie if needed but not sure if it was that simple.
I already have one of those 3-1 Mig Tig Stick units but are wanting a little lunchbox type for portability and welding up a
gate etc in a paddock (my welds look like cocky bleep e a lot of the time anyway hahaha)
FollowupID:
859334
Reply By: Member - MARIC - Tuesday, Oct 06, 2015 at 19:19
Tuesday, Oct 06, 2015 at 19:19
I am using a 3.6kva kubota on a stick welder on the
farm, BUT I only use thin welding rods, I end up using more rods but works fine for me and only a couple of times genny circuit drops out from overload
AnswerID:
591268
Follow Up By: mike39 - Tuesday, Oct 06, 2015 at 19:37
Tuesday, Oct 06, 2015 at 19:37
I have a Lincoln weldanpower 150 living in the back of my truck.
Has a 8kw. (11hp) petrol engine driving it, an 8g. rod needs all of it.
Even a 12g. rod makes
the governor jump when an arc is struck, I reckon you have to try out what you are hoping for, its the initial kick that causes the main problem more so than kw's of engine power.
mike
FollowupID:
859342
Reply By: Ron N - Tuesday, Oct 06, 2015 at 23:13
Tuesday, Oct 06, 2015 at 23:13
Alby, I have one of the Rossi welders in my
shop and it's a very good little welder. Light and powerful, and it welds beautifully.
However, these are an electronically-controlled welder with an inverter, and all devices with electronics in them are very sensitive to voltage variations, and particularly voltages that outside regular parameters (i.e. - voltage spikes).
Portable gensets quite often have trouble keeping the supply voltage within normal parameters.
It's worse when they are working hard. As a result, it's not advisable to use items with electronic components in them, attached to small portable gensets. Voltage spikes and low voltage can damage the electronic components.
The voltage variations can happen due to substantial variations in engine RPM due to heavy load coming on and off, and
the governor can't keep the RPM within the specified RPM range for correct voltage.
In addition, the Chinese are pretty good at over-rating their products. I'd
hazard an educated guess that the Kipor is over-rated on its output and it probably struggles to produce a genuine 5KVA.
The Rossi has a 15 amp plug, I'm not sure if your Kipor has a 15 amp plug.
You certainly need a 15 amp plug and a genuine 15 amp steady output capacity to be able to run the Rossi 200 amp welder.
I have not tried to run my Rossi on a genset at all. I am leery of doing so, after having had previous problems with a 5KVA Honda/Dunlite and running a CIGWELD electronic welder off that unit.
Cheers, Ron.
AnswerID:
591284
Follow Up By: Ron N - Tuesday, Oct 06, 2015 at 23:16
Tuesday, Oct 06, 2015 at 23:16
I forgot to mention, the CIGWELD welder was only a 140 amp unit.
Cheers, Ron.
FollowupID:
859358
Reply By: gbc - Tuesday, Oct 06, 2015 at 23:22
Tuesday, Oct 06, 2015 at 23:22
We have a couple of different setups at work. Over the years the guys have started using a Lincoln 170 gas less mig off the genny. We used to run it off a 3.5 kva and it was ok for fencing but wouldn't penetrate plate. Running it off a 8.5 makes it sing. Your 5.5 should have 15a plug? If so i would think that setup will be good for all things except decent plate.
Lunchbox (dc caddy) can be more power hungry depending on the brand.
AnswerID:
591285
Reply By: Mudripper - Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 12:30
Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 12:30
Hi Alby,
I was recently doing some fencing on the property and time came to weld on brackets for a
gate. I have a 5500W peak rated 13HP Scorpion generator and an old Italian made 140A peak stick welder.
Well the welder set at full amps really made the gennie work hard and to be honest was insufficient for 3.2mm electrodes. Striking an arc was difficult as
well. I was using the shortest possible extension cord (5m) with a 15A rating. Probably 2.5mm electrodes and under would be OK.
So if you're thinking of anything up to 200 amps, definitely think about a generator of 8000W +.
Also, be careful with Edison's. They used to trade under a different name (AGR Machinery). Not very good online reviews. Buyer beware. If it's too good to be true then it probably is. They've been known to remove negative
feedback. Just do some research first.
Cheers,
Tim.
AnswerID:
591305
Reply By: Stu & "Bob" - Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 14:55
Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 14:55
How about one of
these
Unipower alternator, 185 amp DC welder, 240V DC power, fast charge 12, 24V batteries.
I had one years ago, would happily drive a 10 gauge (3.25mm) low hydrogen rod.
AnswerID:
591311
Reply By: AlbyNSW - Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 18:07
Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015 at 18:07
Thanks for all the
feedback
I think I will look for a smaller 130 to 140 amp unit to be on the safe side
AnswerID:
591317