Lincoln welder on a generator.

dej(Jed) · Jun 6, 2014

I bought a Lincoln welder and I was wondering if I could run it off of a 30 amp 220v generator setup? I can"t weld a lick and I am starting from the ground up with this project. At 64 I am just looking at getting by and I really don"t want to make a major investment into elctrical hookups. I will if I have to though. Thanks in advance...........

jennifer408 · Jun 6, 2014

we live off grid, so when we want to weld something we have a dedicated 10,000 watt=45 amp, 220volt generator that we run.

IaGary · Jun 6, 2014

You did not say what size welder you bought.

If you don"t turn the welder up to high it will work for welding lighter stuff.

220 volt welders can pull from 10 amps up to 100+ depending on how hot you set them.

Gary

Russ from MN · Jun 6, 2014

Maybe on a lower setting, I have run my 180 A Airco on a 30 A breaker, on a lower setting.

rrlund · Jun 6, 2014

I run my Lincoln 180 on a 50 amp breaker on my PTO generator.

buickanddeere · Jun 6, 2014

That set can work.

Mike M · Jun 6, 2014

Some may have better regulators then others.

I tried that years ago on our pto generac and ruined the circuit board.

Cas · Jun 6, 2014

How many kw is your generator rated for. Would be easier to give a good answer.
If it is a 5kw generator with a 30 amp outlet, I have done it in an emergency. But, sure would not make a practice of it.

Ian Beale · Jun 6, 2014

220v x 30 amps = 6600 watts

For comparison I've used a 225 amp Lincoln off a 7500 watt genset for a long time as a portable welder. It will run 2.5mm and 3.2mm rods fine, so up to about 100 amps. Never tried anything bigger and would be reluctant to.

On spec 100 amps x 50 volts (?) = 5000 watts

Bret4207 · Jun 7, 2014

We have a very good electrical repair place near us in Flackville NY. I asked about running a 220 Birdsell buzzbox off a 5000 watt genset. I wa told not to even try it, that the genset didn't ahve the guts or the wiring to take that type of load. When I got my 25Kw PTO alternator, I asked the same question and was told I'd be fine since the unit is much heavier duty with a lot more power. My impression as an electrical idiot is that it's not so much a matter of power as of the quality of the small 3-8Kw windings or what ever is in there holding the magic smoke in place. They aren't built for that type of load IOW.

That's all I know about it.

Lincoln welder on a generator.

dej(Jed)

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jennifer408

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IaGary

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Russ from MN

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rrlund

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buickanddeere

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Mike M

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Cas

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Ian Beale

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Bret4207

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