| Everything You Need To Know About Generators |
| Page: Welder Generators |
If you are looking for a Welder Generator,
eventually (and pretty quickly I might add) you’re going to
start hearing about well known brands such as: Miller Electric
Welder Generators, Hobart Welders, Lincoln Electric Welders and
Miller Bobcat Welders. Prior to comparing brands, you’d serve
yourself better by asking and answering these nine
critical questions.
1). What application will you be using this Welder
Generator for?
Will this be a repair job or new
construction? Will you be working underground and exposed to
potential fumes and gases? Will you be working in the air as on
a skyscraper? Will you be working in a marine environment? What
is the size of the project?
3). Does the job require a certain welding
process?
If so, are you familiar with it? Is there
a particular welding process that you prefer over others? Will
you have to learn a new welding process? Is this a pipe-welding
project? Will the equipment you chose need to produce an arc
such as in pipe welding? Will you be required to perform arc
gouging? Will you be performing any resistance welding?
4). What type of materials will you be welding with
your welder generator?
Common mild steel? Stainless? Chrome? Low nickel chrome steels?
Low manganese steels? Low-carbon steels? Thin aluminum 0.6mm or
thicker aluminum? How thick of material will you be welding?
Will you be welding any type of exotic metals or material? Will
you be performing any thermal cutting tasks on chromium?
5). Which type of engine will you be using on your
welder generator?
LPG, diesel or gasoline? When choosing a welder generator, the
operator must determine the type of engine he’ll be using. It’s
irrefutable that diesel engines beat out gasoline engines as
far as fuel economy. In addition, diesel fuel does not ignite
as easily as gasoline. In some cases if you are working in the
Gulf or in areas with refineries, they will most likely require
a diesel-fueled generator.
6). Will your Welder Generator be exposed to
cold weather?
If you will be working in cold weather, it is advisable to use
gasoline engines because they start easier. If you resort to a
diesel welding generator, you may be required to use a ether
starting kits and also revert to winterized fuel.
7). What type of location will be putting youe
Welder Generator in?
Will you be indoors or outdoors? This is important because you
must consider exhaust emissions. Also, if you are in certain
areas where sparks are subject to ignite, you’ll have to
consider a Welding generator with spark arrestor capabilities.
LPG generators are not as common as gasoline or diesel welding
generators, but may become the only option if gasoline and
diesel exhaust emissions are not permitted in the welding work
area.
8). Will you be working at night or in the
dark?
In certain situations, such as emergency repair work, AC power
may be required on the jobsite. This could be for a number of
reasons, to provide lighting, for grinding welds, etc. In that
event, you may need a welding generator that outputs anywhere
from 3,000 watts of AC generator power up to 8000 watts or
more. Also, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) may be
required. That’s why it’s important to assess these matters
prior to purchasing any equipment.
9). Which welder generator brand is the
best?
There are a lot of great brands on the market; however, Miller
welders are at the top of the list! You cannot go wrong with a
Miller welder generator! Next in line is Lincoln and Hobart.
Those three are really the "top" names.