Thread: mobile welder using generator

How much welding are you intending to do? If you only need to run a couple of sticks here and there and are happy to use only those electrodes that can be run off a 45V OCV welder then the Compact Turbo may be ok with a generator. 5KVA will be pushing it though by the time extension leads etc are factored in to the equation.
If you want a more professional setup, the Lincoln would be the way to go. DC welding, so you can run anything you like up to 4MM, 5700W of AC power. Quite a few logging contractors ran those 185 Lincolns down my way.
What type of business are you running? Field service mechanic? The best choice for a field service welder will usually be to run Low Hydrogen electrodes almost exclusively and the little Compact Turbo really falls short for this work. If you want to run Stainless or Cast Iron electrodes, DC shines there too.
Another option would be a quality DC Inverter welder and a quality genset. This way you can also use the welder where mains power is available. Probably no cheaper than the Lincoln though. Cheap gear will not pay off because they will fail at the worst possible moment, destroying your reputation and costing you money.

Hi

I have been down that road of using a 5kva gen set with a stick welder, didnt work good at all. In fact, the rods stuck more often then actually doing any good runs. For that amount of money you are spending, get yourself a secondhand Lincoln AS4000. Have seen them advertised over here in the Quokka (trading post) for as little as $4000. Its the choice of machine on mining sites. There are other brands of welder gen sets out there made in oz, something i should have considered before buying a useless 5kva gen.

DD

Appreciate you replies and comments. I will be going down the road of the Lincoln Outback 185. Seems the most practical.

I am involved in mobile Mechanical Fitting/Hydraulics and hose repairs. Looking to get the welder setup as I am continually asked if I have the equipment for on site repairs/welding.

Again thanks

Spikey

Originally Posted by spikeyfin

Appreciate you replies and comments. I will be going down the road of the Lincoln Outback 185. Seems the most practical.

I am involved in mobile Mechanical Fitting/Hydraulics and hose repairs. Looking to get the welder setup as I am continually asked if I have the equipment for on site repairs/welding.

Again thanks

Spikey

Go the Outback or an equivalent. An AS 400 is a really good machine if you are doing a lot of site welding work, but is a big machine for big jobs. The Outback will run anything you would want to as a Mechanical Fitter, even DC tig if you so desired. Mind you, I wouldn't discount a quality inverter and a decent genset if you believe it will be more versatile for your use. A good friend of mine, (an old apprentice actually), has his own business where field work is common. He uses a fronius inverter and a 11KVA Honda genset. Sort of gives the best of both worlds in some ways.
Given that space is tight for you by the sound of it, have you considered the add ons if you want to undertake site welding repairs? Grinders, hand tools, Oxy Acetylene etc will need to be factored in. Keep your electrodes dry and use quality consumables and you should be on a winner.

My mate has a top-of-the-line "Blue Eagle" 2kVA genny from Bunnings which cost about $600. With a very light strike of the arc, I was able to get up to 90 amps using my Smootharc 130 without tripping the genny's breaker. Can't say I'd recommend that setup tho