Welding Generators

[tom delaney]

I would like to purchase a welding generator to weld and supply alternate power for shop tools.

I own a Delta unisaw with 1 ½ hp capacitor start motor but only have a circuit supporting a 1 hp motor. Can you tell me how to solve the problem? Is one option to replace the motor with a smaller capacity? If so are 1 or ¾ hp motors available that would fit into the Delta motor housing modified with welded support brackets? Is another option to use a welding generator? As I live in a residential area where engine noise would become a problem does anyone think of a solution? What model welding generator would be correct?

Please advise.

[Bert]

My union instructor told me that a long time ago he helped his friend put on a car muffler on his bobcat's exhaust, since he wanted to use it at his house (lack of house power) and not p!ss off the neighbors. Worked great for noise reduction!!! I don't know how it would hurt the bobcat...maybe the guys here can comment on that!!!

[Darmik]

Bobcat

My union instructor told me that a long time ago he helped his friend put on a car muffler on his bobcat's exhaust, since he wanted to use it at his house (lack of house power) and not p!ss off the neighbors. Worked great for noise reduction!!! I don't know how it would hurt the bobcat...maybe the guys here can comment on that!!!

Works for me

[Jolly Roger]

My dad always put the shortest glass pack muffler he could get on his SA_200's. He did a lot of experimenting with different mufflers and designs, said the glass pack was the only one that didn't pull it down. I know a fellow down here that has a tractor muffler on his Trailblazer and claims it works great. He uses the machine a lot in residential areas. I do the same with my lincoln with the factory muffle, it's loud, but so is everything else around here. As for your motor, and I am no electrician, but Grainger carries dayton motors and they have a really wide range of outputs available all with the same frame size. As far as making the one you have work I would recommend asking an electrician. They know electricity in that capacity much better than most welders do.

[HMW]

How big is the circuit you have, what size breaker and what voltage? 120/240volt is most residential.

[SkidSteerSteve]

How big is the circuit you have, what size breaker and what voltage? 120/240volt is most residential.

To expand on that, you might check and see if the motor on your delta can be reconfigured. If it is currently running on 110V, then you might be able to switch it over to 220V and convert your supply to that, effectively halfing your current draw. Provided, of course that it is on a dedicated circuit. That would be an easier way around the problem. Not that I would ever want to take business away from Miller, but buying a gen just to run one tool seems to be a costly answer to less complicated problem. I have thought about buying a 20KW, three phase diesel genset and doing something similar, but that is because I don't have three phase at the shop, and the tools I would be running would require a substantial phase generator and I don't even know if my current commercial supply would handle the extra load.

Just some thoughts.
SSS

[HMW]

If you the know the watts or amps of the motor its easier, 1 hp is equal to approx 745 watts so a 1 1/2 hp motor is roughly 1117 watts, it also depends on the type motor but thats roughly. At 120 volts and 1117 watts it would draw about 10 amps and at 220 volt it would draw about 5 amps, these are rough of course but may help.
If you know any 2 of the following measurements you can figure out the third measurment, Volts, Amps or watts/hp.

[BWS29128]

I'm with Darmik on this one...I have a Ford 8N 16" tractor muffler that I carry around for my Champ10K...works like a charm! The rest of the time I just keep a spring-loaded tractor-style cap on to keep rain water out of my exhaust.

[BWS29128]

Oh, and as for your electrical question, send a PM to MAC702 and get his advice...that's what Master Electricians/Welders are for!

(also, member "6010" has been an electrician for about 18 years...he might have some good input as well...)

[jwsrep]

Does this help you size an engine drive welder for you? There is a ton of information on Miller's Products page.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/generators/pdf/generatorpowerguide.pdf

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/generators/