Anyone fancy a workshop?

[gingea1pom]

David,

I seem to remember there are issues with running a welder of a generator,

Now I am about to get shot down in flames but.....

Your house hold supply is 1 phase made up of 3 phases where as the generator is simply 1 phase, apparently it makes a difference.

Could have been someone spouting complete dog toffee to me.

Cheers Ginge

[Enoch]

240 volt mains is 240 volt mains. If your genny can produce enough current it will be fine. Probably very big but fine. You can buy welder / generator sets but they are best part of a grand for anything decent.
Enoch

[twinturbo]

Originally Posted by gingea1pom

David,

I seem to remember there are issues with running a welder of a generator,

Now I am about to get shot down in flames but.....

Your house hold supply is 1 phase made up of 3 phases where as the generator is simply 1 phase, apparently it makes a difference.

Could have been someone spouting complete dog toffee to me.

Cheers Ginge

house supply is single phase normaly. the three phases will run down the road and supply different batches of houses per phase.

[David_17]

So it'll work?

[Talonmotorsport]

1 phase welder that uses 13 amp house hold plug will run fine on a genny as long as the engine runs smooth and does'nt hunt, ie revs rise and fall when running. How ever it might be a very costly way of powering a welder as you have to seqence weld a chassis that means alot of down time between welds. You'll be talking very pour MPG (millimeters per gallon!)

[carlknight1982]

I can help here on two aspects, 1 because im currently building in a 20ft storage container, and 2 Im a generator engineer.

containers great but you get alot of condensation in the summer, and when you start adding lights, sockets etc u need to be very careful as the walls are obviously conductive.

with regards to a generator running a welder, its not as simple as curent supply, because a welder is essentially a big transfomer you get alot of current "spikes" you can burn out a generator diodes and rectifiers very quickly running a welder,
to run a 230Amp mig you safely need about 14-18KVA of generator as to cope with the spikes, bear in mind a 3 phase 18KVA generator is only capable of 25Amps per phase in 3 phase or if rewired internally to make single phase output just short of 40amps.

A welder is rated by its output current. To estimate its input power, divide the output rating by 30.
E.g. A 130A welder will have an input requirement of approximately 130/30=4.3kW. A 200A welder will have an input requirement of approximately 200/30=6.7kW.
This is only an estimate; therefore, it is recommended to choose a generator of the next size up. However, bear in mind, that many users will not actually require the full capacity of their welder, a smaller generator would still operate the welder, but would limit the welding current.

To get KW from KVA divide by 0.8 ie 10KVA = 8KW

in short, containers great if you get a 40 footer so you have room for tools etc, dont bother welding off a generator, find a mains supply its alot easier.



Carl




(www.generator-power.co.uk)

[David_17]

Thanks for the advice Carl.

The container i've found is 30ft by 8ft so should be great. Only down side is there's no power anywhere near i don't think..

Besides a generator, the other option is buy a chasis already welded, then make the wishbones, uprights etc in my small garage at home. But I'd still need power to weld the engine mounts etc

[carlknight1982]

bit of a shite that mate, what about the alternative of hiring a generator to do the welding, there are plenty of companys about, where are you located?

[David_17]

I'm in redcar, but the storage container will be in middlesbrough

[carlknight1982]

My firm has a depo about 30 miles from middlesbrough, if you ring 01924 220055 and ask to speak to simon (sales rep) tell him Carl from hitchin gave you his number he might be able to do something for you or point you in the right direction.

Carl