Hypertherm Powermax900 generator power?

[wesser1]

Howdy. First post...

I purchased the subect Hypertherm900 off of ebay a while back and would like to build a portable set-up. I will also be using a Ironman250 mig with the same generator..

My question is this - would a 10kw generator (single phase, constant 40A @ 240V, 50A surge) be adequate for most use? According to the specifications, the Hypertherm900 requires 47A @ 240V to reach the maximum cutting output of 55A.

Max for most of what I will be cutting is 3/16" aluminum and 1/4" steel. I will also be running an air compressor on the same generator, but I'm thinking (hoping?) that I could stop cutting when the compressor is running.

Here is the generator head I'm considering:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_8795_8795

Here are the Hypertherm900 specs I found:

http://www.hypermax.org/Specs%20900.htm

Thanks in advance for all replies.

[SundownIII]

Wesser1,

I would contact Hypertherm tech support directly and ask your question.

Another option would be to post up the question on Welding Web. Jim Colt posts there and works for Hypertherm. He's been very helpful.

I think you're going to have a problem to be honest. Jim can get into more detail, but it seems that the Hypertherm units have a very high input current requirement when initally firing the arc. I've had discussions with them about their seemingly high breaker requirements for their machines. I'm pretty sure the generator you're looking at wouldn't allow operation of your machine at max (55A). Seems I've seen it posted that the largest plasma cutter they recommend using on the Trailblazer 302G (10,000W output) is the PM 45 (45 A).

You won't need the full 55A to cut the material you're talking about. I have the PM 600 and the PM 1250. I've run the 600 on a 6,500W generator but at greatly reduced power (seems like about 30A).

Hypertherm will give you a straight answer.

[wesser1]

Thanks. I posted this question on Welding Web as you suggested and Jim Colt gave a very quick and informative answer. Thanks again.

[Zrexxer]

Thanks. I posted this question on Welding Web as you suggested and Jim Colt gave a very quick and informative answer. Thanks again.Well heck, after Sundown gave you the lead, at least share with us what Jim Colt said...

[Pat]

I was very curious about this combination so I looked it up and took the liberty of copying Jim's reply......sorry if I stepped on anyones toes.


#1 Yesterday, 07:32 AM
wesser1
Solderer Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 2

Hypertherm Powermax900 generator power?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Howdy. First post...

I purchased the subect Hypertherm900 off of ebay a while back and would like to build a portable set-up. I will also be using a Ironman250 mig with the same generator..

My question is this - would a 10kw generator (single phase, constant 40A @ 240V, 50A surge) be adequate for most use? According to the specifications, the Hypertherm900 requires 47A @ 240V to reach the maximum cutting output of 55A.

Max for most of what I will be cutting is 3/16" aluminum and 1/4" steel. I will also be running an air compressor on the same generator, but I'm thinking (hoping?) that I could stop cutting when the compressor is running.

Here is the generator head I'm considering:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...6970_8795_8795

Here are the Hypertherm900 specs I found:

http://www.hypermax.org/Specs%20900.htm

Thanks in advance for all replies.

Attn: Jim Colt - I was told on the Hobart Weld Talk forums that you would be a particularly good person to ask the above.

http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtal...ad.php?t=33166


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#2 Yesterday, 09:07 AM
jimcolt
WeldingWeb Journeyman Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 120

Re: Hypertherm Powermax900 generator power?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You can run the 900 on a 10kW generator......although you may have an occasional issue if the compressor cycles on and you are cutting at maximum output power.....worst case....the arc will extinguish and you can just pull the trigger again and it will refire.

Also remember....if you are cutting thinner material, simply turn the power knob down a bit...and the input current draw will be lower. There is no real need to cut 3/16" material at the full output power of 55 Amps....40 Amps will do just fine.

I used to own a Powermax900....and had the opportunity to use it in the field.....I had a 10kW (Generac brand) generator that worked well with it. I now have a Powermax30, Powermax45 and a Powermax1000.....but they stay in my shop most of the time.

Best regards and good luck! Jim Colt

[wesser1]

Pat - thanks for posting Jim's reply. I wasn't trying to hold out on anybody, I just wasn't sure of the "rules" about cross-posting between forums. And I guess I'm a little bit suprised that there would be much interest from other posters in such a low powered generator set-up...

[Pat]

wesser1,

We did not think you were holding out. I was wondering the same questions you were looking for answers. So after I found your post to Jim I thought I might as well let everyone see it.........I hope you don't mind.

I have been entertaining similar ideas. I have a Hypertherm PowerMax 1000, and have heard that it will run off a welder/generator in the 10,000 Watt range but at a reduced power level. That would be more than sufficient for my usage because I rarely run into cutting anything in excess of 3/8". I came across an old generator (farm type) that is supposed to be run off a PTO. I gave $150.00 for it, and was told it was an 8500 watt generator (I did not know they made the PTO driven ones that small). The farmer that sold it to me stated that he was not absolutely sure about the size because when he bought it used it was pretty weathered looking, and the only thing remaining of the information plate were the holes that it used to be riveted to. I can't even tell what make it is because I think all that type of information was painted on it.

Since this thing was powered by a PTO I do not know how large of a gas engine or other parts I will need to get this thing to make juice. I may just have a white elephant that will cost me more to modify than buying a generator or welder/generator. Good luck with your project and keep us updated on your progress.

[wesser1]

Pat - It's all good. Hope I didn't come across as being irked about you posting Jim's answer because that wasn't the case at all. I'm glad you had an interest in his reply and posted it. I usually lurk for a while when I join a board to get a feel for the posting etiquette so I wasn't sure if I could lose my privileges by posting from another board, but I guess I was impatient this time. And too much time spent thinking up new usernames for sports rivalry boards following a permaban for making obnoxious posts may have made me overly cautious :D

And it's a funny thing about these threads - you never know who else might just be interested in the same subject and/or one of it's segways. Speaking of which, Northern Tool has some higher KW generator heads that would be just perfect to supply the 47A 240V I need for the Powermax900, but they are PTO power take-off. I was wondering if it is possible to take the 540 RPM gear reduction off of a PTO unit and drive it direct or replace it with a more suitable driven arrangement. So since you have such a unit, would you mind looking at it and reporting if the PTO unit can be taken off and replaced with another drive type?

I also would have thought that a PTO generator would be bigger than 8500 watts, but Northern has them as small as 7200 watts (14HP). Also see 13KW (24 HP) and a 27.5KW (48HP) there on their website.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_6970_36+182378

Good luck with your project as well. Thanks for the replies.