Will a 5000 watt generator power Hobart 180?

[brad2784]

I would like to buy the largest welder that a 5000 watt generator will power for farm use. I would like to get a HH 180, but is it more welder that my generator will handle? Do I need to get a HH 140? If the HH 180 will work, can I change power cords on the welder? I noticed the plug has the 3 straight blades configured at different angles, but my generators outlet has 3 curved slots configured in a circle pattern. Sorry guys, I am a rookie when it comes to electrical terms.

[Mike W]

Hi and welcome. I also have a 5000 watt generator that is good for 21 amps. I just checked the specs on the HH180 and it is 20 amps at full output. I don't believe you will be running it that hard so you should be ok with the generator. Changing the plug is easy. :)

[dda52]

Brad
Welcome aboard. :) Here is the formula for most elec. wattage: ( some motors need more at start up )
Volts x Amps = Watts You will need 4800 watts.

If your generator is 5k watts at normal out put, then you are in good shape. If it is 5k watts at peak, you are still ok, just don't run the welder at more than 75-80% capacity. The plug you have is a 240v twist lock. You can get them at Lowes or Home Depot easily. Make sure it is rated for at least 20 amps, though. There are several different styles, make sure you get the right one. I wouldn't change the cord, I'd make an adapter cord a foot long, but that's just me. I don't like changing cords.

Edit: I just noticed you said that the plugs have only three prongs in a circle....Are you sure it is 240v?? All of mine are four for the 240v. All of my 120v's are three.....Better check, 'cuz some generators do not have 240v.

[cattoon]

I don't post often, but read daily, and I can say that I have no experience with a HH180, BUT my 5500 watt cont. rated generator with 7500 surge runs a HH175 perfectly, even with a BIG 35ft ext cord that I made for it. A friend welds for a living and he ran some beads with it on 3/16,vert up with flux core wire no less that would make you cry. 1 thing that I wonder about is my generator puts out 266 volts with no load. doesn't seem to effect anything I've hooked up so far, but a skilsaw getting in a bind will trip the breaker, 6hp 25 gallon air comp will run all day.

[hankj]

Brad,

Don's got a good point. I've not seen a 5KW that didn't have a 240 volt aoutlet, but the configuration could be different depenging on the age of the generator. The 240V outlet on my 3-year old 5KW is a four-prong twist lock, 2-hot, neutral, and ground. If your generator, if it's older, may have only the two hots and a ground. If this is the case, the ground and the generator neutral are both bonded to the generator frame, which is a no-no today.

Do you have a voltmeter? If not, borrow or buy a chaeapo, and fire up the generator and measure between the plug terminals. The grond pin is usually the one with the hook, or angle, on it. If the voltage from this pin to each of the other pins = 120V, than you are good to go. If the voltage to one pin is 120V and zero to the other, you only have a 120V with ground arrangement.

If it checks out for 240, all you need to do is build yourself an adapter pigtail - no sweat.

Let us know.

Hank

[dda52]

Hank
I practically live with generators.( necessary evil ) I have seen some big ones without 240v outlets. Makes no sense to me, but there they were. One was even a Honda.

You may be right about the age thing. My Bobcat's 240v plug is a 3 prong. The later models all are 4 prong. I would bet that Grainger or a elec store would have the older style plug if that is what it is.

[Deafman]

Hi, I have Blue Star Generator MM 6000 and I a have MM175 Welder . I weld prett much still come out beautiful and I use flex core and gas with out problem

[Terry Lingle]

I would never remove the plug on anything to make it work with a non standard receptacle. If you change the plug you will have trouble hen you want to use the welder on utility power or from a different generator .
First confirm that the generator has a 220 three wire receptacle on it and that 220 is present.
If it is and you have a plug that fits make an adaptor cord. If you do not have and can not get a plug for that receptacle it is time to change it for a modern receptical that matches the welder.
Terry

[Tom Zachman]

OT, but I watched an antique Witte Diesel Generator go at auction today for $300.00.
It provided 3kW at 110/220 VAC. Nice compression. Clean diesel in bowl. Elect. start. Manual included a drawing dated 1939.

[Teeps]

what kind of generator would it take to run an mm251??? :D

[Sberry]

10,000 minimum, depends on how hard you want to run it.

[brad2784]

I had someone double check the generator and it does have a 4 prong twist-lock 120/240V receptacle, so I should be OK there. I ordered the HH 180 welder today.

Now what size cord do I use to make the adapter cord and should it be 3 wire or four wire? How short should I keep the length?

Thanks for the advice,
Brad

[dda52]

what kind of generator would it take to run an mm251??? :D

I can't remember where I read this, but SOMEWHERE I remember reading the MM 251's electronics are really not generator friendly. Might want to check it out before you fry the dude! :eek: That would suck.

Brad
The aftermarket cords are 8 gauge. As long as you don't go too long, 8ga would be ok. s to how many wires....how many are on the welder plug??? I guess you could always get a four wire cord and just not use one if the machine is a three wire. Whatcha think, Sberry? You're the resident wire guru most of the time??

[Terry Lingle]

The maghines output is only 21 amps so a # 12 4 wire cord could be used to make a prettyy nice extension cord , or if you want to make a long cord long use # 10.
At the receptacle end put a boxe for each receptacle and a junction splice box on a plywood base with a 4 wire 220 receptacle, a couple of 120 volt receptacles one on each line and a mating receptacle for your welder all wired to the cord . You have a mulipurpose cord that you can use whenever you need your generator. only one cord from the generator to the use location all plugs work properly. Terry

[hankj]

Brad,

Get a L14-20P twist-lock plug and a 6-50R receptacle and some #10/3 SOOW wire (as long as you like [within reason]) and make up an extension. Use the black and white leads for the hot legs, and connect the green leads to the ground pins on both ends. Disregard the neutral connection.

Your welder runs at full power with 20 amps. #10's are big enough, and lighter for your portable needs.

Hank

[mlr]

What size generator do I need to run this welder.I also have a Hobart stickmate 235,and was wanting to know the same. I have a Craftsman 5600 watt generator.Is it enough? It has a surge of 8500 watts

[hankj]

47.5 amps. 11.4 KW. You'd be better off buying an engine drive welder.

Hank

[INTP]

There are an awful lot of numbers being tossed around here, and it may be good to get on the same page, so to speak...

Assuming we're still talking about the HH180, this page
http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/pdf/spec_sheets/Handler_180.pdf
indicates 20A input at 230V for 130A output (which is it's rated value). This equates to
20A x 230V = 4600 VA (or watts)

The output value is 130A at 20V = 2600 VA, so the efficiency is 2600 / 4600 =~ 56%

If we assume the same efficiency at max output,

30V x 180A / 56% =~ 9643 VA input

I realize that I oversimplified the AC/DC conversion, but this should make the point. A 5kw generator will not power it at full output for long periods, but will work at rated output (130A at 20VDC).

------

I have to ask, though, is this for FCAW or GMAW? The reason I am curious is that running off a generator implies (to me) an outdoor application. GMAW isn't going to do so well in this situation, but FCAW should be fine. You will need less power for FCAW, so the needs will be different. On the other hand, have you considered SMAW instead?

[Mike W]

My 200 amp Hobart mig draws about 17 amps at 240 volts at my typical welding settings.

[hankj]

Should have said I based my numbers on the Stickmate. Higher for the 250.

Hank

[wayne64]

I also play with a few gen sets, last count was we have two 10KWs, two 5KWs, two 3KWs and one 14.5KW diesel which is apart in my shop now. It seems I can fix them and my son buys them, this has to stop :rolleyes:
But now for a couple of observations, rated KW is not always what it seems as the elevation you use it at changes the total output, higher= less. Also when I'm suppling anything other than light bulbs than the Hertz output is important to me. 60 hertz output is related to prime mover RPM. weather 1800rpm or a 3600rpm unit. One other thing people forget to do is create a good equipment ground, either to a houses water pipe ground, or drive a stack in ground or even a 2' x 2' plate with your truck parked on it after you soak the dirt it's sitting on with water.