Generator / Welder Combos

[joshstiles]

Generator / Welder Combos....anyone buy one, use one, have any experience with these? I am thinking of purchasing one but I'd like to hear from others that have tried them. Are the any good? Would you recommend them for welding roof steel? That is the primary reason for buying it other than running power tools while I build my home.

[bankruatsteve]

I have a 2KVA generator and a welding unit that's been used for all the welding in our house, but I'm pretty sure the genset would not supply the welder. Which, to me, means that a combo unit, if there is such a thing, would probably be very expensive and overkill for a single project. Suggest you look at gensets/welders separately. There's almost always a power source for a welder somewhere you would not need a generator for that.

[JesseFrank]

I have a 2KVA generator and a welding unit that's been used for all the welding in our house, but I'm pretty sure the genset would not supply the welder. Which, to me, means that a combo unit, if there is such a thing, would probably be very expensive and overkill for a single project. Suggest you look at gensets/welders separately. There's almost always a power source for a welder somewhere you would not need a generator for that.

Why a 2kVa generator would be not powerful enough to supply a inverter style welder?

Other question, why would the OP want his welder be powered by a generator ? Isn't there any electricity available ?

Edited August 24, 2014 by JesseFrank

[bankruatsteve]

A 2KVA genset can only supply about 9 amps at most. From experience, my welder need 10-15 amps for most projects. I 'think' some larger welders need a lot more.

[Crossy]

Welder/generator combos certainly exist, no argument there, like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genset-welder-generator-200-amp-110v-220v-5-0-kva-generator-Honda-petrol-engine-/121414022608?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c44d6f5d0

BUT

Think carefully why you need one? You are going to need power for the home once it's built (unless you're far off-grid of course), so organise a construction supply from the PEA. Even at the inflated rate (8 Baht per unit) it's still far cheaper than generated power.