inverters and generators

[sardine]

i'm finding all kinds of different stories on what generator will power what brand of stick inverter, it would be good if we could get some definite field reports on this.

 

[Frosty]

You need a generator with a pure sine wave. Older generators have to much voltage variance for the inverter to compensate for. Usually a 10% up or down and that's being generous. I can speak of Miller, that's all I run. Hope that helps.

 

[mwi]

I have an ewm inverter and it gets used on alsorts from mains 110v and 240v and on generators all sizes/ages again 110v and 240v . It's never battered an eyelid yet

 

[hotrodder]

I suspect the reason you're finding so many different stories is because genny and inverter specs vary so much...
With AC leccy 110, 230/240V etc are RMS values, kinda sorta like an average voltage. The peak voltage of 230 mains is something like 320V. A cheap/nasty/overloaded etc genny isn't gonna be as smooth as the mains supply i.e. while it may manage 230V +/- 10% rms the peak voltages could have big spikes in them
The other potential issue is that the genny's output frequency can/will vary with load

Generator 'safe' inverters will have specs in the handbook regarding what they'll tolerate for example my Lincoln only cares that the peak input voltage is less than 400V and that the frequency is something like 45 - 65Hz. While it'll work from a marginal or 'dirty' supply it welds a LOT smoother/nicer when plugged into something better
If your inverter isn't genny safe then you need to be a LOT more careful about what it's plugged into i.e. a 'posher' genny and preferably one that has plenty in reserve so that there's no chance of it struggling i.e. is oversized output wise with regards to the welders input needs

 

[sardine]

Mig ?

looking at the specs it seems to me Mig needs less generator maximum power to run it, possibly flux cored for outside work ?