Inverter went pop !!!

[Justme]

But here's what it says on page 28 under 16 Technical Data .
Power consumption S1 (maximum current) KVA 4.9 .
And on another page it says .
Do not use power generators with less than 2000 W single phase .
So how was the generator to small ???

Its too small cos 4.9kVa is way more than 2000watts.

Its more like 4500watts.

The 150 amps output would be at about 19-27 volts so in the range of 2850 to 4050 watts. The welder wont be 100% efficient, more like 70% at best so thats an input of 4071 to 5785 watts. Again thats constant. The inrush would be more than that for a second or two. On mains thats not an issue but on a genny it is.

 

[Vmac]

Thanks where's me jumper ! I just followed what it said in the Manual , and as it was just to be used with 2.5 rods thought I was ok ! I'm no electrical engineer !

 

[Justme]

I'm asking you for your professional opinion and I assure you I'm all ears and listening to reason , but I've quoted the manual , word for word !

I would guess that the manual has either been badly translated from another language, one manual covers more than one product & the 2000 watts was an error or was written by some one with no knowledge of the product.

 

[Vmac]

Thanks "just Me " that's very informative I'm trying to get my head round it , so I don't make the same mistake again !

 

[Vmac]

Could I pic your brains Justme , ??? I'm looking at buying a Genset
3phase mainly for running both single , and three phase mig , but would like to be able to run a single phase Ac-Dc Tig set SAFELY " from it , in your professional opinion what should I be looking for , to guard against spikey power , or surges ?? As I don't want to blow up expensive welding plant again ??? Cheers Mark

 

[Richard.]

The way to work out what kva gen set you need is machine max amps x OCV then double it for the current spikes. Then x that figure by .6 (assuming a max power factor or duty of 60%). So 150amps x 50ocv x2 x.6 = 9000.
So to be safe 9kva which is exactly what Jim said about the ewm. 8.6kva.

 

[Richard.]

Do that calc with your 250 amp machine and as I said before your looking a very expensive 15kva gen set. Despite what the manual said on the other machine 4.9 is way too low and almost certainly the reason for the failure.

 

[Rig Pig]

You will also have an issue putting heavy single phase loads onto a small three phase generator.

 

[Vmac]

Thanks for that richard, very informative , is it just me or would you expect there to be something in the manual to say do not use under 10 Kvh or the machine will be damaged ???

 

[Vmac]

Jesus RigPig ' what's the issues with heavy single phase ?? My heads starting hurt ??

 

[Jim Davey]

The issue is that a 15 kva 3 phase genny will be able to supply about 5 kva on single phase.

 

[Richard.]

Thanks for that richard, very informative , is it just me or would you expect there to be something in the manual to say do not use under 10 Kvh or the machine will be damaged ???

A lot of machine manuals will tell you it's generator compatible or not. Some will tell you the minimum kva but personally I would always work it out myself.

 

[Jim Davey]

Generator friendly/compatible is such a misleading term, it implies that you can use the machine off any generator without risk of failure. This unfortunately is not the case.

 

[Vmac]

Well boys thanks for your advice ' ya just saved me making a costly mistake ' RigPig, Justme, jimdavey,Richard , I take my hat off to ya" the Genset is 15 Kvh "3phase but only 7 Kvh single phase that would have ment two welders I already have wouldn't be compatible ! Back to the drawing board !

 

[Jim Davey]

Happy to help, I wasn't trying to pi55 on your chips. I've just been through this so many times it bothers me that people are still getting caught out by it.

 

[Richard.]

Engine driven welder 15mtr mma leads and suitcase wire feed unit. Flog the rest. This will cover you for all site welding situations

 

[Vmac]

Cheers jim ' yes Richard , so if I get the Genset which has 400 amps MMA that's covered so what sort of money are you talking for a suitcase wire feed unit say Lorch , miller Lincoln , and what sort of amps could the above cope with ??

 

[Vmac]

Sorry it's 15kvh 400 amps and I've been looking at the miller dynasty tig set which is multi voltage 110 , 240 , 400 amp which maybe the way forward on the tig side of things ??

 

[Shox Dr]

There are ex-airport 25kva 3ph diesel genny's on ebay for less than £1000. Very low hours. Not the smallest bit of kit, but it will do the job and some