Welding Generators

**Ken** · 07-06-2009, 09:29 AM

Has anyone here owned or had any experience with a welding generator? If so, can you tell me how it compares in your experience to a regular gas/propane/deisel generator?

**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 07-06-2009, 10:38 AM

We have a gas Miller Arc Welder/Generator at the plant. I will say this, it is 15 yrs. old and I have seen very little maintenance performed on it. As to the output and such not sure what it is. I have only used it to run a grinder while welding outside the plant. It has an Onan motor.

**Ken** · 07-06-2009, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by COWBOYSURVIVAL

We have a gas Miller Arc Welder/Generator at the plant. I will say this, it is 15 yrs. old and I have seen very little maintenance performed on it. As to the output and such not sure what it is. I have only used it to run a grinder while welding outside the plant. It has an Onan motor.

Miller seems to offer some excellent products. I'm beginning to believe that welder/generators (various manufacturers) are a more reliable, less maintenance, less expensive alternative than a simple generator.

**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 07-06-2009, 11:50 AM

Ken,

The Welder/Generator is a Miller Bobcat Model 225G and is 8000 watts.

**Ken** · 07-06-2009, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by COWBOYSURVIVAL

Ken,

The Welder/Generator is a Miller Bobcat Model 225G and is 8000 watts.

The "newer" Bobcat 225 is 10.5 kw. Some dealers have them for around $3,500.

I'm also looking at a propane generator: http://www.norwall.com/product_info....738e9df17fb69a

And this 15 kw Briggs & Stratton with all the bells and whistles for under $3,200.00: http://www.norwall.com/product_info....cd7309f189df58

**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 07-06-2009, 12:52 PM

I agree the welder generator will be of a higher quality than a residential generator. Alot of welder Generators are bought by large industrial entities such as the company I work for and if it isn't Quality someone will be here to pick it up tomorrow. Due to the fact that we spend alot of money with the welder supply house under contract. They''ll make it good even if they feel it is our fault. On the other hand an individual will have to buy the extended "store" warranty to have one at all and the red tape well you know what I mean. Bottomline a product that is targeting the industrial community for most of their sales will usually be a top notch product.

**AVENGED** · 07-06-2009, 06:34 PM

I Have Had A Miller Welder/Gen For A While Now, Its An Early Model And Still Runs Like A Banshee. As Long As You Keep A Cover On It To Keep Out Most The Rain And Snow, It Will Last Longer Than Your Car.

**Ken** · 07-06-2009, 07:10 PM

The dilemma: the Miller is a reliable workhorse -- the Briggs is generally reliable and has a multitude (PLETHERA!!!) of conveniences and features.

**crashdive123** · 07-06-2009, 07:14 PM

Nice word. I'll have to remeber that one.

**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 07-06-2009, 07:17 PM

I concur with Crash....Gees!

**Ken** · 07-06-2009, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by crashdive123

Nice word. I'll have to remeber that one.

And I'll bet that you're going to just wait for opportunities to use that word, huh?

**crashdive123** · 07-06-2009, 07:22 PM

What was the movie? Was it Three Amigos????

You said I have a plethera of women.

Si.

What's a plethera?

Don't know.

How can you say I have a plethera of women if you don't know what it is?

**Jonesy** · 07-06-2009, 07:30 PM

I would probably go with the Miller because I generally buy something with it's resale ability in mind. Miller has name recognition and I would think make it easier to sell in a pinch. The other issue for me would be the availability of parts and service just about anywhere there is a weld supply shop. Last but not least...do you want to weld? and do you want a portable generator?

**Ken** · 07-06-2009, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by Jonesy

I would probably go with the Miller because I generally buy something with it's resale ability in mind. Miller has name recognition and I would think make it easier to sell in a pinch. The other issue for me would be the availability of parts and service just about anywhere there is a weld supply shop. Last but not least...do you want to weld? and do you want a portable generator?

Jonesy, the last time I welded anything was about 20 years ago and I may not need to weld anything for another 20 years. I'm looking at the generator capability. EVERYTHING I have read about the Miller is positive. I'm just torn between the reliability of the Miller and the much greater convenience of the Briggs. BTW - I have load of gas welding gear.

**crashdive123** · 07-06-2009, 07:37 PM

Ken I assume that you are going to have your generator permanently installed for power losses and not something that is stored in the garage. How would the Miller fit that bill?

**Ken** · 07-06-2009, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by crashdive123

Ken I assume that you are going to have your generator permanently installed for power losses and not something that is stored in the garage. How would the Miller fit that bill?

The Miller can be permanently installed with a transfer switch. The Briggs can be as well, but it comes with that plethera of features that the Miller doesn't have. However, the Miller is probably much more reliable than the Briggs.

I'm now in the midst of a full "renovation" of the house electrical system. New service from 100 amps to 200 amps. 100 amp sub-panel in basement, transfer switch panel, outside weather-head for the generator hook-up...... I have smaller portable generators but am looking for something in the 10 kw to 20 kw range. Permanent installation.

Whichever I go with, I'll be building a vented masonry generator shack about 50 feet from the house with underground conduit to the weather head. (The Honey told me that the shack better match the house, with exterior shingles, shrubery and all.) Fuel (if gas or diesel) will be stored in the shed seperated from the generator by a masonry wall.

The fuel issue is that I want to store at least enough to run the house "normally" for two weeks, which means I'll ALWAYS be rotating gasoline or will have to put in a 330 gallon "outdoor" oil tank if using deisel. The nice thing about propane is that I also want to use propane for cooking (no natural gas lines in the area) and could use a LARGE propane tank for both purposes. Much more convenient than gas or deisel.

**flandersander** · 07-06-2009, 08:02 PM

I was looking into this for a while aswell, for emergencies. I ended up hooking up an old car engine (i figure around 200hp) to an airplane alternator. Its belt driven, centrifugal clutch, my buddie hooked me up with a convertor that changes the alternators voltage to 110. I'm not sure what the alternator puts out in terms of kilowatts though. My friend got me the alternator and said it would change it to household voltage. He works at an airplane salvage yard. I got the idea from him. It works good and cost less than $200. Considering I already had the motor. It could easily be hooked up to the pto on a tractor, if thats more readily available than a vehicle engine. Just figured i'd post this up, seems as its kinda on topic.

**Rick** · 07-06-2009, 08:04 PM

I think you answered your own question. Propane is about 90% domestic product so even if gasoline or diesel is in short supply, Propane should be available. It should also be cheaper (boy, that's a relative term) per KW hour. It's also cleaner to burn.

As you pointed out, with gasoline you have the aging issue. With diesel you have the gelling issue in cold weather. Diesel engines tend to last longer but they also have higher emissions.

Whatever you go with remember that gasoline, diesel and propane are all heavier than air so they will "pond" if there is a leak.