Hobart Stickmate LK 235 Using a 3,500 Watt Generator

[dbargranch123]

Have a Champion 3,500 Watt (continuous rated, 4,000 watt start) AC power 120/230 generator. Am considering purchasing a new Hobart Stickmate LX 235 to use around the ranch and running it off of this generator. Will it work? Any help/comments will be greatly appreciated.

[Wyoming]

With little knowledge, but a quick search on the Internet, it appears that watts= volts X amps. So, with a 47.5 amp draw on 230 volts at full power it looks like you need 10925 watts.

[usmcpop]

An 8-10 kW generator would be more appropriate.

Edit: Dang, Roy, I'm getting slow on my responses.

[Sberry]

No, it wont work, be cheaper to buy a China small inverter that would.

[Hobby welder]

Hmm for that I would say you'd have to run no more than 75-100 amps max but I can't say for sure. 8-10 is what you want at the smallest, I've looked into that matter, a maxstar 150s might be in order on that one.

[Blacksmith]

No. Biggest problem is the surge when you strike an arc. The power lines are generally considered a stiff supply or infinite bus and there is very little voltage drop during a start. The generator will have a very large voltage drop until it ramps up and it will be hard to hold the arc during the transient.

[SidecarFlip]

Which is also why a portable genset is a poor choice for ac motor duty. Inrush (start amps) are 3 times running amps. Line power has the transient ability to make the jump, a genset don't.

My Yamaha 2800 I is hard pressed to start a 1.5 horse motor under load.

[Rockinptom]

Have a Champion 3,500 Watt (continuous rated, 4,000 watt start) AC power 120/230 generator. Am considering purchasing a new Hobart Stickmate LX 235 to use around the ranch and running it off of this generator. Will it work? Any help/comments will be greatly appreciated.

I have an older AC welder that I us with a 6500 watt generator welder will go up to 225v amps and it works fine for me with no problems, the highest that I weld it about 190 amps on 2 3/8 pipes no problems. I use it mostly now on 14 gauge square tubing running at about 85 amps and it will weld all day long. all I can say is to try it and see if it will do the trick for ya. it wont hurt either unit to try it, it will either work or it wont, others might tell ya not to an that it wont work but you wont know till you try ,......Dont Be Skeered LOL