Generators- Big Boys

[Nicnumber1]

Alright folks,

Been lurking for sometime and wanting to contribute to the forums. Can someone school me on the generator game? Preferably ones that can be moved and can power a welder and air compressor. Would also be nice to have a good one that I can use for the house once I stop moving for work.

Thanks in advance!

Edit- things I should have included:
Would like to stay under $3.5K
Already have nice welding and fab equipment
Prefer something not integrated

 

[dr_clyde]

Miller Trailblazer airpak. Done.

 

[BD1]

Miller Trailbllazer airpak. Done.

Cool ! That will put a BIG DENT in his pocket.

You may need to down size to a bare TRAILBLAZER. The positive side is it will power your house , air compressor , and give you a welder too .There's one in my avatar.

 

[dr_clyde]

Ha ha he put an budget on the edit. Those trailblazers are expensive but they are awesome.

 

[Nicnumber1]

Sorry guys left out some pertinent information.

 

[Bobcat753]

Yes get a trailblazer.
In all seriousness running a welder off a generator isn't very nice. Most generators besides the welder generators are choppy with their power output. I'd look into a Miller Bobcat or Lincoln Ranger. Should be within your budget and they both have fairly smoother power than a regular generator. Plus you get the benefit of having another welder

 

[txvwnut]

Talking from experience you'll want a welder/generator package. Depending on the size of the welder you want to run will depend on the size of the generator you get. I've run a 110 wire feed off of a 6500 watt generator and it was actually too small for it. I could only weld in short bits as the welder shut down on low power or the generator breaker would trip. A compressor will be greedy on startup so you will need to take that into consideration too.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Would like to stay under $3.5K
Already have nice welding and fab equipment
Prefer something not integrated

Sorry guys left out some pertinent information.

So what do you own ?

Do you have a requirement to run the compressor and the welder at the same time ?

 

[theoldwizard1]

I've run a 110 wire feed off of a 6500 watt generator and it was actually too small for it. I could only weld in short bits as the welder shut down on low power or the generator breaker would trip.

Get a 240V welder. Twice the power.

A compressor will be greedy on startup so you will need to take that into consideration too.

I run a 2HP oil lubed compressor off of s 6500/5000 watt generator no problem. I'm sure it would run a 3HP. In theory, it should handle a 5HP compressor.


Of course we are talking about running the welder and compressor separately.

 

[slip knot]

For your requirements I'm gonna second or third the Miller Trailblazer.

 

[Nicnumber1]

Miller 210
3.5 HP Compressor
Plasma
Miller diversion Tig
Bendpak for Bender


Assuming I need atlesst 12kw

Wondering if there were other options besides Lincoln and Miller

 

[dr_clyde]

Why does this need to be done on a generator? Realistically, a good generator that can run those tools is going to be at least 5k no matter the brand.

 

[padroo]

It sounds like you already have a welder and compressor right?

If so what is their current draw?

 

[honcho]

For most bang for the buck, a military surplus diesel generator 10kw to 30kw on a trailer. It will be mobile, capable of meeting the OP's requirements and generally they are readily available within his budget. Single and three phase power are available. Just don't buy a 400hz generator!

 

[Bobcat753]

Here's a few options, I don't think you will be running all those machines at once , unless you have four arms.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200467369_200467369
http://store.cyberweld.com/mibo225we90.html
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200622186_200622186
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200383272_200383272

 

[theoldwizard1]

Miller 210
3.5 HP Compressor
Plasma
Miller diversion Tig
Bendpak for Bender


Assuming I need at lesst 12kw

Depends. What is the power requirements on the plasma cutter and the compressor ?

Everything else would run comfortably on about 7-8kw (assuming one at a time). the plasma cutter requires running the compressor at the same time. 10-12Kw is just a SWAG until we know the actual input of those items.


Generac, Briggs and Stratton and Honda all sell 10kw generators. Generac and B&S MSRP are within your budget.

 

[east_tn_emc]

For most bang for the buck, a military surplus diesel generator 10kw to 30kw on a trailer. It will be mobile, capable of meeting the OP's requirements and generally they are readily available within his budget. Single and three phase power are available. Just don't buy a 400hz generator!

This! My 10kw -003 doesn't even notice when my compressor kicks on.