Welder /Generator Question

Howard H. · May 24, 2010

Been pondering getting a portable welder like a Miller Bobcat 225 or similar for out at the farm.

Plus, a group of us make it to the NASCAR races a couple of times a year (3 nights of camping) and/or some fishing trips...

We recently went together for a 32' travel trailer & will need a generator for it.

Would a welder like that be suitable for a camping generator, too??? Or would it be way overkill?? Way too loud??

I overheard one guy say he plumbed his welder exhaust into his pickup exhaust system and it really quitened it down...

Just curious as to anyone's thoughts on this...

Thanks for any comments,
Howard

bc · May 24, 2010

Maybe you can make some spare change welding on trailers at the race track campgrounds. Going to the races in Texas was a good chance to work on my trailer. Put a new hot water heater between races and caulked the roof.

Where would you mount it? It would be a lot of weight and then have to worry about someone stealing your leads if you have them. I recall sleeping through about 500 generators at Texas and no one cared about the noise. I don't see why you couldn't put any ole muffler on it while you are sitting.

olddog · May 24, 2010

Also thirsty and heavy.
A small quiet Honda, sized just big enough to start the AC unit alone;
would get ya thru a race weekend less obtrusively.

glennster · May 24, 2010

i second the honda with olddog. i have 2 generators, 4k and 5.5k with briggs motors on them. they are dang loud and even changing the mufflers doesnt help. then bobcat would not be the easiest to transport, its a heavy rascal.

John T · May 24, 2010

Sure, it can work but it seems so heavy and cumbersome and overkill to me plus sooooooooooo LOUDDDDDD.

Ive seen people with trailers use those Honda 3000 Inverter gensets (will run rooftop AC plus Microwave) and I swear they are so quiet you cant hardly tell they are running!!!!!!!!! if its a few guys chipping in Id go the Honda or Yamahe etc route for lightweight and quiet and use for other requiremetns when yall are at home

John T

DoubleR · May 24, 2010

Got a 2000 watt honda invertor. Will run the air on my 30ft camper as long as I don't run anything with it other than tv. My camping neighbors like it to, you barely know its running its so quiet. Had a welder- generator too at one time and I know I wouldn't be very well liked by anyone else running my camper with it although it would do a good job.

Howard H. · May 24, 2010

Thanks for all the comments... As loud as it is with 10,000 generators at Texas Motor Speedway, I wasn't too worried about the noise down there - but I'd hate to scare any fish on fishing trips... ha...

Ya'll are probably right - be better to get separate units.

BC, why were you working on caulking the roof?? ha... That was one soggy 3 day stretch of rain, wasn't it?? By Sunday, we were swimming through a 18 inch deep pond to get in and out of the camp spot they put us in...

Howard

buickanddeere · May 24, 2010

As previously stated, an inverter generator from a proven company such as Honda or Yamaha are ideal.
As for sizing. If you figure you can get "get by" with a 2000W generator. That means you actually need a 3000-4000W generator.
Generators last longer and work better if ran with some reserve available. Rather than lugging every last watt from them.
Check the fine print. Some generators are sold as "peak" or "5 minute surge" capacity instead of continuous.

Anonymous-0 · May 24, 2010

A machine like a Bobcat is around 500 lbs. You're probably going to go to other places with the trailer, so get a quieter, smaller generator. Inverters only rev as high as they have to for the power requirement. There are some cheaper inverters available but if you want a brand name, Subaru/Robin is a very good generator. They have many models of conventional and inverter models. The JD generators are made by Subaru/Robin. An RV generator is another option but they are usually more expensive. Dave

Organicfarmer1972 · May 24, 2010

Are you going to at the IRL Races at TMS next week?

Howard H. · May 24, 2010

Hey Organic -

No - its about a 7 hour drive from up here at the top part of the panhandle.

We generally just make the Fall & sometimes Spring race....

HH

Welder /Generator Question

Howard H.

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bc

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olddog

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glennster

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John T

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DoubleR

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Howard H.

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buickanddeere

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Anonymous-0

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Organicfarmer1972

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Howard H.

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