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welder/generator, anybody using ?

Posted: Thu. Jan. 04, 2018 9:12 pm
by Dave 1234
Have any of you guys used a welder generator for a back-up generator ? I was always able to get my power back on. But I retired from my old line job and now I'm away for storm work every time it gets nasty out. I need a good, long run diesel generator with elec start and super reliable.

Looking at a miller 325 , its diesel , 3 cyl kubota , fuel consumption around 1 gal. per hr.

Anybody try it already ?

Dave

Re: welder/generator, anybody using ?

Posted: Thu. Jan. 04, 2018 9:15 pm
by grumpy
Why not a regular generator, like a Perkins or Kubota ? How many KW do you need and what do you want to spend?

Re: welder/generator, anybody using ?

Posted: Thu. Jan. 04, 2018 9:36 pm
by Dave 1234
grumpy wrote:
Thu. Jan. 04, 2018 9:15 pm
Why not a regular generator, like a Perkins or Kubota ? How many KW do you need and what do you want to spend?
I really don't need more than 10 kw. And I figured the welder part, being portable would come in handy on the farm at times.

Hate to get over the 4 / 5 grand mark.

Dave

Re: welder/generator, anybody using ?

Posted: Fri. Jan. 05, 2018 5:57 am
by Rob R.
My other has one. It works well enough, but the problem is that it is usually on a pallet in the shop when the power goes out, and you have to be there to move it, start it, etc.

Dad bit the bullet and had a Generac Guardian put in. 500 gallon propane tank, he doesn't even get out of bed if the power goes out, generator comes on automatically. You can buy an 11kw unit with a 200 amp transfer switch for about $3200.

Re: welder/generator, anybody using ?

Posted: Fri. Jan. 05, 2018 8:48 am
by Dave 1234
Rob R. wrote:
Fri. Jan. 05, 2018 5:57 am
My other has one. It works well enough, but the problem is that it is usually on a pallet in the shop when the power goes out, and you have to be there to move it, start it, etc.

Dad bit the bullet and had a Generac Guardian put in. 500 gallon propane tank, he doesn't even get out of bed if the power goes out, generator comes on automatically. You can buy an 11kw unit with a 200 amp transfer switch for about $3200.
Rob, gotta say , I like your dads way !

I have needed a good and powerful welder for the heavy equipment for years. Now my stuff that breaks is too big and expensive to bring back to the shop. So this was an attempt at killing two birds with one stone.

Re: welder/generator, anybody using ?

Posted: Fri. Jan. 05, 2018 9:22 am
by hotblast1357
I am purchasing a PTO generator for the new tractor, portable, big power, doesn’t give me another engine to maintain, can hook it up in about 10 minutes.

Re: welder/generator, anybody using ?

Posted: Fri. Jan. 05, 2018 9:25 am
by Rob R.
10 minutes once you are home.

Re: welder/generator, anybody using ?

Posted: Fri. Jan. 05, 2018 9:27 am
by hotblast1357
Grandpa lives next door 👍

Re: welder/generator, anybody using ?

Posted: Fri. Jan. 05, 2018 9:29 am
by hotblast1357
I could wire it up so that it’ll start when I loose power lol but that’s deeper than I need to be!

Re: welder/generator, anybody using ?

Posted: Fri. Jan. 05, 2018 9:47 am
by coalnewbie
10 minutes once you are home.
Assuming the tractor starts. Waste of money for this application but good for ag operations in the field. In fact most residential generators are a waste of time.

Re: welder/generator, anybody using ?

Posted: Fri. Jan. 05, 2018 9:56 am
by hotblast1357
Hahaha why on earth wouldn’t my tractor start??

Re: welder/generator, anybody using ?

Posted: Fri. Jan. 05, 2018 10:01 am
by hotblast1357
coalnewbie wrote:
Fri. Jan. 05, 2018 9:47 am
In fact most residential generators are a waste of time.
Having no power for 5 days when temps are -20 at night make a 1500 dollar generator worth every penny!

Re: welder/generator, anybody using ?

Posted: Fri. Jan. 05, 2018 11:08 am
by Dave 1234
Rob R. wrote:
Fri. Jan. 05, 2018 9:25 am
10 minutes once you are home.
Yup ! That's the issue. It really needs to be automatic , big picture, I can't be around when the power goes out.

Re: welder/generator, anybody using ?

Posted: Fri. Jan. 05, 2018 11:45 am
by BigBarney
New technology will be backup power supply for houses that are like the Tesla powerwall where you always have

a fully charged battery ready to replace your power when needed. No fuel needed and always ready.

An electric car could also be your backup with its large battery storage.

No engine to start and instant response , ideal solution.


https://cleantechnica.com/2017/12/27/tesla-grid-s ... er-outage/



BigBarney

Re: welder/generator, anybody using ?

Posted: Fri. Jan. 05, 2018 11:47 am
by coalnewbie
BB, there you have gone and done it, I cracked a rib.