 |
05/17/07, 07:18 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whiskey Flats(Ft. Worth) , Tx
Posts: 8,749
|
|
|
Decision ....generator vs generator\welder ???
...............Here is the scenerio I'm contemplating.....I can purchase a 3kw , super quiet Honda inverter genset for about 2,200 . This a very quality product , (or) another generator I've considered is Subaru . 4.3 kw , inverter genset , very quiet but still , Just a Generator for about 2700 .
...............Now , I'm starting to lean towards a generator\welder ....It's a Miller BlueStar 185 DX , 13 HP Kohler aircooled engine , Automatic idleup , 185 amp DC only welder with a 5 gallon tank , also functions as a 6kw generator when not welding and it's NOT quiet like ther above gensets . My idea is that I will beable to do light welding jobs with this welder and it is strong enough to weldup some fairly thick metal projects . With a generator(only) there is no income potential , at all . This welder with a couple of small additions will run me around $2500 . This unit will sit in the bed of my truck even if i have to pull my 5th.wheel . I feel much better about spending money on an asset that can , potentially generate some income than an item that has no income at all . Plus , if I can find a small parcel I can build whatever shed or barn structure I can afford . Comments , fordy... 
|
05/17/07, 07:26 PM
|
 |
In Remembrance
|
|
Join Date: May 2002
Location: In beautiful downtown Sticks, near Belleview, Fl.
Posts: 7,102
|
|
|
What is the cost of two separate components that can accomplish the same thing? That would be my orientation.
__________________
If you can read this - thank a teacher. If you can read this in English - thank a veteran.
Never mistake kindness for weakness.
|
05/17/07, 07:27 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Happy Valley, Alaska
Posts: 1,138
|
|
|
I had a couple of friends over the years that have gone with the Miller welder and have been quite pleased. I have one of the 3Kw Hondas, though, and coouldn't be more pleased. It has very low fuel consumption and is really quiet. How much more fuel would the Miller use?
|
05/17/07, 08:13 PM
|
|
lost in my own mind
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ada Ok.
Posts: 325
|
|
|
i seen enough tv's in the shop i work at after they been on a welder. just get the genset and be happy
|
05/17/07, 08:17 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whiskey Flats(Ft. Worth) , Tx
Posts: 8,749
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by moopups
What is the cost of two separate components that can accomplish the same thing? That would be my orientation.
|
.............Well , I've already got a small . 3.5kw genset but it's not an inverter model . So the welder , will be used mainly for welding\income , etc . , fordy...
|
05/17/07, 08:19 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,245
|
|
|
I am thinking that you are NOT planning to use the generator for "continuous use".
In that case, I would buy the Miller Generator/Welder combination. Miller is good stuff.
|
05/17/07, 08:26 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whiskey Flats(Ft. Worth) , Tx
Posts: 8,749
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Junkmanme
I am thinking that you are NOT planning to use the generator for "continuous use".
In that case, I would buy the Miller Generator/Welder combination. Miller is good stuff.
|
.............Right you are ! As a genset it has 100% duty cycle , as a welder it is like 30% but I'll be welding on small , short term projects . I had a kohler engine on my Miller Bobcat and with 800 hours it never gave me any trouble up thru when I sold it , thanks , fordy...
|
05/17/07, 08:30 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,245
|
|
|
Fordy,
As you know, Kohler is Quality stuff, too. I have had several Kohler engines..all great! And Kohler generators (still have 2... one is 500 watt, the other is 10,000 watt).
Kohler is also American-Made. (at least I THINK it STILL is!)
Bruce
|
05/17/07, 08:37 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whiskey Flats(Ft. Worth) , Tx
Posts: 8,749
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Junkmanme
Fordy,
As you know, Kohler is Quality stuff, too. I have had several Kohler engines..all great! And Kohler generators (still have 2... one is 500 watt, the other is 10,000 watt).
Kohler is also American-Made. (at least I THINK it STILL is!)
Bruce
|
................I still have lots of tools from my fence building days but I should have never have sold my welder , but it would be too big for my needs now . This smaller model will be easier to transport and will allow me to fabricate anything I need . , fordy...
|
05/17/07, 08:42 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,245
|
|
Welders are very handy. I haven't been without one for over 40 years.
You're looking at a good one.
Bruce
|
05/17/07, 09:17 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 964
|
|
|
Why are you getting a new welder? You posted that you already had a 3.5Kw model. Is it worn out? Do you just want the inverter?
How much do you use the generator? Is the 5th wheel an RV? Do you have income potential lined up, or is it just an idea?
Here are a few of my thoughts:
If you use it with an RV, and get the noisier welder/generator, your camping neighbors are going to kill you, unless you camp with nobody else around. The Hondas are great for quite.
If you are contemplating the inverter, is it for better power? If so, then I would get the Honda, and pick up a used Miller/Lincoln welder to use occasionally.
Do you mostly want to weld, but also like having the power backup? Get the welder/generator.
I guess it all comes down to what is your main use for the unit.
Michael
|
05/17/07, 09:28 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 407
|
|
|
Had to use our Miller generator/welder during an extended power outage - it's now sitting dead in the corner. It certainly is not designed for lengthy use as a generator - it's primary designed to use power tools at a welding site (i.e. a grider for cleaning up your welds).
|
05/17/07, 09:29 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: South central Virgina
Posts: 2,137
|
|
|
Definately the welder/genset. I have used Miller, Hobart, Lincon, and a couple more older models that the name slips my mind at the moment, on and off for better than 35 years.
Its hard to beat any of the three I named, and a Miller is a good one. I worked for Best Iron Erectors for over 3 years installing steel stair cases and the welder on my truck was was a Miller 180. Johnny told me he was giving me the best truck and welder outfit he had after I had been with him for about 6 months, (Which caused a big stink) but that is what it had on it.
He said proudly that the welder was only 3 years old and he knew I'd take care of it, which i did, so when I left the company the welder was about 5 and a half years old and ran like it did when I got the truck. It ran 10 to 12 hours 5 and 6 days a week, and if were like in Fla, it ran 3 weeks in a row and then we took a week off. It used about 3 - 5 gallon cans of gas every two days. I drove the truck home and would change the oil in the 1 st of every month. When I changed the oil, I would wet the engine down and sprinkle Gain wasy powder on it and let it set for about 15 minutes and spray it off.
That was the only maintance it ever had except I had to replace the recptical once and went from
the 15 amps to the 20 amps and that stopped that problem.
As for what Mike said about the TV's, a lot of people will try and use it on the auto kick in stage for everything. That will eat up electronics.
Install a tackometer on it and keep ithe carb adjusted to the recomended rpms on the full time mode. If the throttle loosens up from wear in the ball joints, the voltage out put will drop. That's where the trouble comes in there Mike. Low voltage. And I lied. I did do that right after I got the truck.
Boy was I a happy camper back then.
I wouldn't second guess my self Fordy. jm2cents
Wish I had it. LOL.
Dennis
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Rate This Thread |
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:10 PM.
|
|
