I want to get a portable generator for on the farm and the most it would need to run would be a mig welder around 170 amp. what size gen would i need to run this properly! Thanks
biddy6,
May 19, 3:55pm
i would like to know the answer to this as well.
taipan4,
May 19, 3:56pm
You need to get hold of the handbook for the welder and see what the max ac input current is (ie 230v) and if is say 15amps which is about 3.5 kw . But you really need to be looking at around 5kva minimum Probably best to go to a welding specialist or a specialist generator shop, NOT bunnings or mitre 10 give them the specs on your welder. Small gen sets sometimes are not good on voltage regulation so you will need to spend a bit more to get real quality
bubbles52,
May 19, 4:02pm
done this before for a mig welder, I had to hire diesel one on a trailer, thats how big you need it as welders draw lots of juice
sr2,
May 19, 4:18pm
At a typical power factor of 75% 5kva is about right for a 15amp supply.
pig-gal,
May 19, 5:59pm
We use a 5.5Kva generator to run our DC Inverter welder & it does it with ease. Whatever you do don't buy too small as it will turn out expensive.
easygoer,
May 19, 7:06pm
Around 5KVA diesel or 7.5KVA petrol would be my advice
sr2,
May 19, 7:18pm
Why a higher rating for a petrol genset!
NZTools,
May 19, 7:21pm
I run a 200 amp mig on a 7.5 kva petrol generator, and the genny barely notices the load
easygoer,
Mar 11, 2:14am
Most welders have start currents similar to starting an electric motor, IE: the running current is much lower than the starting current hence the requirement for a larger generator, a petrol generator has the ability to provide approx 2.5 times the rated KVA for starting purposes but as a diesel motor has much higher torque they will generally provide 3.5 times KVA for starting hence the lower rating required
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