Re: 220VAC generator & 220VAC welder

Gelato <gelato@.is.invalid> wrote:

On Wed, 19 Feb 2025 11:01:03 +0000, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
 

I was given a 220VAC 50Amp welder.
I have 30Amp 220VAC portable generator.

 
Are you saying the welder is rated at 50 amps input from the supply or
50 amps output to the work?

 
I do not know the answer to that question. I assume the plug is capable of
50 amps but also the welder has a huge duty cycle slider I can control.
 
Obviously I'm not a welder so it's likely I can experiment to keep the duty
cycle such that the main panel 30 amp circuit breaker won't blow.

I would have expected a welder described as "XXX Amps" to give XXX Amps
on the output, but 50 amps seems a ridiculously low output for a welder
that could be used on anything bigger than jewellery.

The duty cycle would have to be pulsed at a rate which is faster than
the delay time of the circuit breaker.  This might be possible if the
pulsing is electronic but a human welder would find it very difficult to
keep starting and stopping.  With a 'stick' welder (coated rods) this
would result in a totally unsatisfactory weld but with MIG or TIG it
might be possible to make something with thin sheet that stays together.


--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
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www.poppyrecords.co.uk