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so I had this thread up a while ago and I can't find it. Probably mostly because I'm fairly computer illiterate. Anyway, I was asking about running my maxstar 150 sth on my little honda 2000 generator for upcoming drag week (we're leaving saturday!). I was worried about doing some damage to the welder by running it on the generator, not sure why exactly. After so many people lately asking about running this and that off their bobcats and whatever engine drive they have, I got the guts to give it a shot. Here's what I found in case someone else finds themselves in my position...
don't be scared like me, its fine, it works and I didn't let the smoke out.
On the little honda, which is 115v, the maxstar is only 100amps max anyway, so it will be limited from the get go.
I fired it up and struck an arc (TIG) with what was in there from the last stainless restaurant job I did. I don't normally use this machine in the shop here, not because I don't like it, but because it is a pain in the forth point of contact to pack up into the carrying case. Anyway, 3/32 2% lanthanated tungsten, lit up on 11ga steel tube. If you mash the foot pedal, BAM, trips the overload. If you feather it and keep the generator just from its max, you can weld using 3/32 rod, but its super slow. 1/16th runs better on that lower amperage. I ran about 8" with no problems before my fingers felt like they were going to melt.
I plugged in the stick setup and turned it to max power, would run a 3/32 stick of 7018 for about two seconds before it hit the overload. It didn't want to run that rod anything less than max output. I stabbed a 1/16th rod in there, cut it back to about 33%, ran awesome. Great looking bead, seemed to burn in good, didn't trip the overload. I ran 7 sticks of it one right after the other without any issues other than wasting money on welding rod and electricity.
So, this welder will most likely save us from MOST repairs requiring welding that we'll run into when we're in a place that does not have power, like under and overpass in the middle or rural wisconsin. Otherwise, I'm packing a couple of pigtails to adapt to some different 230v configurations we could potentially find when we're out and about.
Being the crew chief, I sort of thrive under breakdowns and stuff. My driver told me that if we make it through without a major breakdown I'll be devastated. He's probably right. Thanks my story at least.
Wish me luck.
don't be scared like me, its fine, it works and I didn't let the smoke out.
On the little honda, which is 115v, the maxstar is only 100amps max anyway, so it will be limited from the get go.
I fired it up and struck an arc (TIG) with what was in there from the last stainless restaurant job I did. I don't normally use this machine in the shop here, not because I don't like it, but because it is a pain in the forth point of contact to pack up into the carrying case. Anyway, 3/32 2% lanthanated tungsten, lit up on 11ga steel tube. If you mash the foot pedal, BAM, trips the overload. If you feather it and keep the generator just from its max, you can weld using 3/32 rod, but its super slow. 1/16th runs better on that lower amperage. I ran about 8" with no problems before my fingers felt like they were going to melt.
I plugged in the stick setup and turned it to max power, would run a 3/32 stick of 7018 for about two seconds before it hit the overload. It didn't want to run that rod anything less than max output. I stabbed a 1/16th rod in there, cut it back to about 33%, ran awesome. Great looking bead, seemed to burn in good, didn't trip the overload. I ran 7 sticks of it one right after the other without any issues other than wasting money on welding rod and electricity.
So, this welder will most likely save us from MOST repairs requiring welding that we'll run into when we're in a place that does not have power, like under and overpass in the middle or rural wisconsin. Otherwise, I'm packing a couple of pigtails to adapt to some different 230v configurations we could potentially find when we're out and about.
Being the crew chief, I sort of thrive under breakdowns and stuff. My driver told me that if we make it through without a major breakdown I'll be devastated. He's probably right. Thanks my story at least.
Wish me luck.
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