Can I Power my Welder from a Petrol Generator?

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

Hi, anyone know whether I can power my welder from a petrol generator?

the sort of thing you can acquire from any hire shop for about 25quid a day?

Welder is a Clarke MIG 151 EN and steel is 1.2mm thick.

Or maybe there's an existing thread here where somebody's already asked, that someone can point me in the direction of (having had a look but failed to find one).

Ideally, I want to be able to weld in a drivers door restrictor restrictor fitting cut out of a scrapper last week, while I've got the dash out for a heater matrix job; but my workspace (outside on the road) is 25metres from my front door.

I'm torn between purchasing & running a cable, hiring a generator, or trying to find a workspace with power nearby to hire for a few days

Many thanks

[Stickyfinger]

A good generator should supply a 13 amp welder, running a cable over a pavement would give the council a suger rush but is maybe a better option than a genny.

I'm torn between purchasing & running a cable, hiring a generator, or trying to find a workspace with power nearby to hire for a few days

Have you thought about a mobile welder service, they are quite good and quick and will give good advice for prepping the area, they often work road side.


Many thanks

[Northern_Mike]

You'll also have H&S on your back very quickly if you start MIG-ing in the street without using proper precautions like welding curtains and shielding. Quite rightly too , given the damage MIG can do to the eyes..

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[Stickyfinger]

Mike, that's another reason why Mobile guys are quite good....all the kit in the van

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

cor, thanks for the super-quick replies guys. Hadn't given a though to mobile welding services, and fair comment re H&S. Will get on the phone after the Bank Holiday.

[citronut]

a MIG welder will not run to its full capabilities if it aint fed with enough kv, regardless of if the generator can run 13A,

also the further away from the original power socket/supply if running a cable from your house, you will require a heavier cable, otherwise the mig will not be able to get sufficient power to run correctly,

obviously there will be a limit on distance and cable gauge to what current gets to the required end,

im sure Sir Jim will be able to tell you the prose and cons

[m300td]

You will need a generator with at least twice the kva rating of the welder as the striking arc start will be a lot more I have known the crank break on a generator that was been in used to try and power a welder also the generator frame will need to be earthed with a rod driven in the ground as usually the frame is directly connected to the earth in the 240 volt outlet it is very unwise to use a unearthed generator if there was a fault you could end up making the connection to earth with lethal results

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

thanks citronut & m300, I'm gonna 'forget' the idea of trying to power it off a generator. Either a mobile welding service or hired / friends' premises.

Not long back from a 1300mile jaunt to Techno-Classica, also taking in Kings Day in Amsterdam and an unbelievably cheap 'Sun' holiday at Duinrell, a little north of the Hague; all of which well recommended; time for a little maintenance now. Old but good 405 estate

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

An update, with thanks to all whom contributed to this Thread and for the info of others whom might be in a similar situation.

Today I welded up the inner front wing of my daughter's Pug 106 following an accident, at the roadside using
A Clarke MIG 151 TE (Gas only)
25metres of heavy duty '8 gauge' I think it was extension lead, was a surprisingly reasonable £33 delivered (for the wire only). I fitted a socket and a 3 pin plug
2 home made 'screen's: USB, large Shelf Brackets and 3 x 2 timbers
I didn't need to make any adjustment to the wire or power settings to allow for the long extension cord

If like me, you've no off road facility, it can be done !

Thanks again everyone for your input to this Thread. I got there in the end !!!

[Stickyfinger]

You have nice people next door