Generator for my Millermatic 180? Help

[jranoa]

Hi I am trying to figure out a cost effective generator that would run my Millermatic 180. Any help is greatly appreciated. I pasted the specs below:

Specifications

Input Power

Requires 1-Phase Power
230 V, 21.7 A, 60 Hz
Rated Output

135 A at 22.5 VDC, 30% Duty Cycle
Welding Amperage Range

30 - 180 Amps
Wire Speed

90 - 700 IPM (2.3 - 17.8 m/min)
Net Weight

72 lb (33 kg)

[SkidSteerSteve]

Cost effective is a rather relative term.... At the input power requirements you listed, you would be pulling appr 5Kw. Because of the dead load that a welder pulls, I'd go with at least a 7-8Kw for some buffer room. From my expeirence, trying to go that route will probably be disappointing. By the time you spend enough to get a good machine that won't send random electronics-killing voltage spikes, you might as well just save a little more and get bobcat. Then you can have a lot more flexibility down the line. Good generators aren't cheap, but as with most things, you get what you pay for. As far as small gensets, the only thing I would feel comfortable recommending would be a Honda. I've had good luck with them over the years. Somebody else may have a good word on another brand or two. I can say some bad ones about a couple of other brands though. Good luck.....SSS

[PMKen]

Fire it up!

Miller Product Manager Ken here! The MM180 works very well on generators. It was part of our qualification testing. The machine will not fail from wild voltage spikes, unless they are extreme.

Some generator have auto-ideal features, they sence the generator load and start to ideal if the load is light. The MM180 is design to operate on 60 Hz. In auto ideal mode the frequency will drop but the output voltage remains up. This will kill the fan motor in the machine and the party will be over. When your MM180 is connected to a generator disable auto-Ideal.

If your looking for a high quality short circuit MIG arc, the MM180 will do a great job on a generator. The Bobcat is a great welder but it does not do it all, short circuit MIG is not its best process. Lots of folks operate MM180's or MM140's on Bobcats. The MM180 is a high quality MIG welder for both the shop and field.

[SkidSteerSteve]

Ok.....I sit corrected...Although I really did mean to get a Bobcat to run it off of, not replace it. I've seen some gensets with floating grounds/neutrals as high as 50-70V...yikes!! I've used my Bobcat to power a flux-core machine in the field before....worked fine. Also, that way you have plenty of power and the flexibility of running stick if you need it later. SSS

[rwfabworks]

I know I am bumping an old thread, but basically from what I read here, I can run my MM180 off a 7-8,000 generator as long as I turn off the idle mode......

[Sberry]

I think Hank run his HH210 from a 5500, they are not as greedy as stick machines, a decent 6 K would run it. As generators welding machines are very good, I got a 6 K that will start a 4 hp motor. No generac type thingy will do that.

[rwfabworks]

I think Hank run his HH210 from a 5500, they are not as greedy as stick machines, a decent 6 K would run it. As generators welding machines are very good, I got a 6 K that will start a 4 hp motor. No generac type thingy will do that.

Do you have a specific brand in mind???

[Sberry]

I dont know much about small gensets, I have a couple units but they are welding machines.

[Sberry]

I personally don't uses feeders for field work, it would have to be a specially app before I would want to tote around the extra equipment although I spose if I didn't have portables I might consider some type to run a small feeder if I had to.

[rwfabworks]

I personally don't uses feeders for field work, it would have to be a specially app before I would want to tote around the extra equipment although I spose if I didn't have portables I might consider some type to run a small feeder if I had to.

Either way, I would have to run a generator. I have access to a Stick machine. I am just weighing my options before I bid the work. They were in no rush and liked my work so they were intersted if I was able to be mobile at all.

[yorkiepap]

Hey rwfabworks,
I run a 7.5kw(8.75kw surge) on my mobile unit that powers all my equipment. All my welders are inverter & draw a max of 24A & the TD plasma cutter draws the most at 33A max. I added several receptacles for the plug variations I have. All my equipment runs very nicely as an output test on the gen indicated I have very smooth AC output with minimal fluxuation. I would strongly suggest you get the 7kw as a minimum you indicated in your first post. Here's a pic of my setup.

Denny

[rwfabworks]

Hey rwfabworks,
I run a 7.5kw(8.75kw surge) on my mobile unit that powers all my equipment. All my welders are inverter & draw a max of 24A & the TD plasma cutter draws the most at 33A max. I added several receptacles for the plug variations I have. All my equipment runs very nicely as an output test on the gen indicated I have very smooth AC output with minimal fluxuation. I would strongly suggest you get the 7kw as a minimum you indicated in your first post. Here's a pic of my setup.

Denny

Do you have any other pics of your gererator???

Is it any different than the gens they sell at HomeDepot orLowes????

[yorkiepap]

Hey rw,
That's the only pic of the gen I have. It looks as most others do. I had several other forum members wanting to see the additional receptacles & voltmeter I added. If you do go to HD or Lowes, simply look at the specs & insure that the output ratings of the 220V receptacle are 30A as some are only 20A, even with a higher wattage rating. Also, make sure the "running" wattage is at least 7kw & not the "surge" wattage. Mine also has elec. start, although not a necessity. My gen is also a brushless unit & I believe that is what provides a smoother output. Hope this helps.

Denny

[godtool]

Will my old century 180 work on a coleman 5000W generator??

Will my old century 180 work on a coleman 5000W generator?? My mig is nothing fancy and when you talk about my mig failing or getting fried due to voltage spikes I wonder if I need to find a generator with specific features. So instead of wasting $600 on a canadian tire coleman 5000W (6250 Surge?) what type of generator with the needed features for safe mig welding should I be looking for?