Generator/Welder Question
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Generator/Welder Question
Would a generator put out enough current to power a 220v Mig Welder. Don't have 220v out to the garage, and it was suggested I buy a generator to power the little time I would use the mig. Cost is supposed to be about the same for a 5000 watt generator as to have the additional wiring done to the garage. Any suggestions ?
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 483
Likes: 1
Depends on the MIG you want to run, a 5000 would run a 175 class machine fairly well except on the top end. 6000 would be better. If you dont have adequate service to the garage it is terribly underpowered anyway and needs an upgrade.A wire feeder quickly becomes so useful that I wouldnt want to start a genset every time I made a tack or small weld. Its expensve and inconvenient.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Are you in an older residence?
Do you have a dryer curcuit and where is it? I would think from experience you have 220/240v service somewhere in the house.
IMHO it would be much to your benifit, in regards to your wallet and your neighbors sanity, that you not purchase a genny to run your welder.
Run it off of your dryer curcuit. Unplug the dryer (when you are not or she is not using it
) and plug in the welder.
A length of 10/3 SOOW. cord will be plenty for a power cable to reach to the welder.
Do you have a dryer curcuit and where is it? I would think from experience you have 220/240v service somewhere in the house.
IMHO it would be much to your benifit, in regards to your wallet and your neighbors sanity, that you not purchase a genny to run your welder.
Run it off of your dryer curcuit. Unplug the dryer (when you are not or she is not using it
) and plug in the welder.A length of 10/3 SOOW. cord will be plenty for a power cable to reach to the welder.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Belleville, MI
I must concur with the others…spend the money to wire the garage. If you plan to take your welder on the road for some remote location work then maybe the generator would be better. If you are willing to spend the money on a welder that requires 220V then guaranteed down the road you will start purchasing other shop machines that need to run on 220V.
