You should check out some of the multi-process welders. Some can do ARC, TIG, Plasma cutting, and MIG welding. Make sure to get the 200A(ARC)/50A(Plasma/TIG)
Premier Power Welder is what you need, I have one. Works very nicely. Wished I would have known that you can actually build one yourself. Check out Merlin’s Old School Garage, not only does he show you how to build it, but he’s also has a T-shirt with the schematic on how.. Good luck with the Africa tour!!!!!!!
yu should bend the rod slight, gets rid of vibs, & stroke it to start, not poke.. we used 61,s ship yards, pretty well weld stainless, but, bitch to start & do not let them stop..
Someone else mentioned it, but more visibility the better. There is the mobile premier power welder. I know several off-road recovery channels use those and seem to like them. Trail Mater, Matt's Off-Road Recovery, and Fab Rats.
For trail welding this was first thing that came to my mind. Initially learned about these from bleepin jeep, seems like a really solid option vs carrying a welder and a big azz genset.
So you take DC from a battery, convert it to a Sine wave at 120v, put it into an inverting welder that turns it back into DC then turns it into high frequency AC, then it (probably) converts back to DC (or a different AC frequency) to weld with. I think if portable power is the goal, you could eliminate a few steps in there. Try hooking your welding rod to a few batteries in series.
if the market was large enough for non-commercial "peanut" sized welders, they'd make them. direct battery to welder output. problem is most tools are lower voltage batteries( to not zap anyone) let alone fire risk. so it's still a no go in any real world daily usage welding( always will be) unless magical battery/inverter tech comes out that multiplies capacity by ten fold(lol, yeah never), it all has losses! facts of life are larger the scale, larger the losses. yes, some loss calculations can change over time(via tom-foolery technology), but it ends up following closely old school technology and "laws" (lulz)
@@throttlebottle5906 inverter technology could be scaled back to start with low voltage DC. Someone needs to demonstrate that a market exists and they will churn them out of China.
@@mannyrides3946 You hook up 3 batteries in series straight to the torch and ground clamp, and use that instead of a welder, its unregulated and unwieldy but gets the job done in a pinch
Best thing is a Primere Power Welder setup. I have 2 of them currently one in my rock buggy and on in TJ. I had 1 in my old tow rig but I sold it with the truck. They are awesome never had one fail they'll always get you home
I wish you had also included the back country method, which involves linking 2 car batteries and using a jumper cables as your ground and live (holding your weld rod). When you’re done put them back in your vehicle to trickle charge and away you go.
'linking' how? Parallel for more amps or in series for higher voltage? The voltage drop that happens with lead acid (starting your car will drop the voltage down below 11 volts on lead acid, and inverters usually cut off around 11.5 or higher) is why the inverter kept shutting off.
Don't forget, the grid power in Africa will be 230VAC 50Hz, not 120VAC 60Hz. So some of the stuff you bring may not even work plugged in. Most electronics are 120-240VAC 50 / 60Hz, but bigger stuff, heater or motors are not.
@@jonathanwright5550 No doubt, but don't think whatever doesn't run off inverter or generator you can just plug in somewhere. Like compressor, heaters whatever else is high current. Or if inverter / generator takes a shit.
@@jonathanwright5550 There are voltage transformers and price varies on how many Watts you need. But yeah, they don't fix frequency though, if the device is frequency dependent. Heaters don't care and motors may run slightly slower, but some things do require the right frequency or they won't run. Was more of a heads up if bringing all 120V stuff and thinking it can just be plugged in when grid power is available or if inverter or gen failed.
One possible option you missed is the old bush trick here in Australia to get 2 12v batteries ho ned together in series with jumper leads and weld DC. Obviously rod selection comes into play with this method. Not exactly great for the life of the batteries, but has been a standard long before suitcase welders existed. Not exactly oranges for oranges, but a definite alternative.
Matts of Road Recovery uses a 12 volt stick welder on his recovery Heavy Wrecker truck. His buddy at Fab Rats has one too. Wish I recall what it was. They have done many (not every video ) trail welding repairs we seen on thier video's.
Very impressed with the Milwaukee power pack and the little shoebox welder! Have a lot of experience with Milwaukee tools on a farm. One thing I’ve noticed , the high output 12.0 batteries seem to get hot and shut off faster than a smaller battery. We’ve used them on the air compressor pumping up a 20.8-42 tractor tire. It appears that with steady use and the extra cells they heat up faster. The 12.0 batteries have plenty of power, just something we have noticed.Sometimes two smaller batteries will work faster than waiting for the larger ones to cool!
If you read the manual on the inverters, you usually have to hard wire new wires in to get the max rating the stock plugs give you half of the power, that’s what the Canadian tire manuals say
I’d be down for a full review of the bigger welder. Pretty interesting unit for the price. I paid $2000us for my Chinese tig unit, granted it’ll do ac and dc, along with cooking my meals with kitchen sink included. None the less, if all you’re interested in is ferrous tig, that thing might change your world!
Premier Power Welder. I know others have mentioned it but keep in mind you do have to run their alternator. Of the guys I know running them they have had zero problems. The frequency those things weld at is some kind of magical voodoo science. But they work!
Having watched Matt's Offroad Recovery and Trail Mater: for the overlander you might look into the Premier Power welder. It can be permanently installed in the vehicle and takes little of the precious space away. Just an idea to consider. 😎🤟
Well I'll be damned, I totally expected the budget welder to consistently be the chokepoint in these tests. Instead, the welder was ol' reliable. Definitely impressed with it! Like another commenter mentioned, you might find better results connecting the Pb batteries in series (24/36/48V), but that'll likely necessitate a change in inverters. As far as I'm familiar, the operating voltage range on 12V inverters is only around 10-15V. That range gets more forgiving with each nominal voltage increase, to the extent that some 48 or 60V inverters' operating range will allow for the addition or removal of a battery from nominal (3s-5s on 48V, or 4s-6s on 60V) without risking not powering up or frying components. It's a shame that 12V caught on so much in the early adoption of off-gridding, since so much of the market is directed there, while most actually using 12V hate it from what I've seen. The reliability is meh, the gauge of cables necessary to handle 12V systems is much larger (0-2 AWG is usually recommended), while 48V or higher are usually 10 AWG. Anyway, I've rambled enough. I'm curious which countries in Africa you'll be traveling through and how long of a trek is planned. I imagine I'm not the first to advise caution, and plenty of forethought paid to avoiding active conflict zones. Pretty much precluding all of Northern Africa except for Egypt and Morocco, and since they're both on opposite coasts it's doesn't matter. Also, most (all?) of Africa uses 220-240VAC at 50Hz instead of 60Hz, and I believe their mains prong configurations vary from country to country. Only really an issue for shore power, but definitely worth researching.
Running large loads tends to be where good quality lithium batteries shine. Much less voltage sag under load. The 200ah lithium in my camper will comfortably run 1800w. Look at how well the Milwaukee lithiums perform. Excellent engineering in the Milwaukee inverter too.
Fronius makes a battery powered stick welder. I have the Fronius transpocket 180 stick welder that I run off a 4200 watt generator, 110 volt outlet with a extension cord and it will run 1/8” 7018 If you’re going to use an inverter/generator it needs to be around 4,000 watts or more.
There was two main problems there, (a) the dc cables on all the inverters was way way too small to handle the high current without inducing substantial voltage drop, and (b) that battery is not capable of supplying enough current for long enough to be useful!
interesting, i bought one of these welders after your first video and my predator 3500 generator did not like running it at all no matter what setting even though it runs my Lincoln 100hd wire feed no problem. I'll have to try running it off my solar system now that i have seen how well it ran off the Milwaukee inverter.
In my 3500 diesel. I had 3 x 1000cca batteries and a 2600/3800 inverter from harbor freight. I could run my 900 watt micro no motor input. Jackhammer needed the motor. Idling. My 120v flux welder got 2-3 minutes. Before battery warning. Idling I could weld non stop. Alternator was a power master 245A series.
I use a 3kw LOW Frequency inverter with 280ah lithium batteries. I've had no problems with my yeswelder stick machine. Low frequency inverters are far superior for heavy inrush current equipment like compressors and welders.
good content - you experimented for research purposes and managed to have a good time and learned some tigs - good point about sine wave gen - pretty thorough - more reviews and info on how to weld mig/tig and for different materials also appreciated - compare plasma vs torch possibly - good overall content - educational
I really think it would be simpler, cheaper and a better final result to convert a ~200A alternator into a welder driven straight off the accessory belt. You can DIY this kind of setup. This is for 4WD/adventure trips, of course. Wouldn't use it to earn a living.
I'm sure somebody has mentioned it but they have those off-road stick welders that run directly off the alternator and they have a really small package size.
Great video! I was actually curious about this, and if my Honda 2200i could hold up. Pro Tip: Whenever I am going to work out the max capacity of my little Honda, I will turn off the ECO Throttle. Something about the overload and the throttle response not being able to produce the capacity right away. inverter generators have a floating neutral, I haven't had any issues with this. Im no electrician, so you'll have to look up the science behind that and if it affects a welder.
Rich have you tried stick welding with three 12v car batteries in series use the positive as the ground and the negative as the electrode use E6010 OR E7018 rods 2 to 5mm thick steel will be a 3mm rod and will pull 140 to 165 amps this type of welding is what us aussies would use when travelling in the outback 4wdriving when you are hundreds of km from know where cheers from down under
Physics - once the arc becomes unstable, you have a switching load on an inverter based welder (switching transformation) being powered by a switching inverter. There's very little inertia in your power system and it cycles out of control, arc breaks, weld fails. Try plugging in an spinning/unloaded 1/2 HP AC motor on the same circuit as the welder.
Review the 200TP welder. Wanting to learn how to weld, but don’t really want to spend $500-$1000 on a welder, as I don’t really have a ton of need for welding.
I’ve been welding off a generator for years. My Generac 8000 W generator will not power the same welder that my old rigid 5000 W would do. Trips right away then I ran to ground wire from the frame of the generator to the frame of the welder and now it works. My welder is a Vulcan 180 multi process. I run it at 240 V on the generator. That plug does not have a ground accommodation.
All of the inverters you tested are high frequency types. Low frequency inverters have a higher surge for a longer time, most cost more and are heavy as the transform uses 60hz. Try a Xratrex 3012 or 2012, they can be stacked for 240, or the EU versions are 240
Hey Rich, When stick welding, (Like Vince is doing) try striking the arc like your striking a match. You'l have a lot more success in getting it going......... 😃👍
I’d like to see a review of the 200. I bought the 1355 off y’all’s review of it and have been eyeballing the 200 (I’ve been stick welding for a while but kind of want to learn tig and having a cheapo stick machine with hot start and a few other amenities would be nice…that 1355 is awesome for the price
This can be done. You guys just aren't using the right stuff. I just had to be that guy, to say it. Honestly found it very entertaining and informative just busting your chops. 🤷 As I'm sure you're well aware of the limiting factor is the inverter. You can get a bigger alternator. Mechman makes a 370 amp alternator. I seen many vehicles with dual alternators. I'm sure a couple deep or a few cycle batteries would hold the energy need. I'm wondering even if a better welder would make a big difference. The machine, not Vince. My buddies is boilermaker he has a miller CST™ 282 or Maxstar® STR 210. I these are the top of the top in welders but I seen him weld some damn thick metal on a for 1500 watt breaker. With ease. I love how you guys are experimenting. Makes me want to get out there and start a new project I have finished about 300 other ones first.
I bet that would make a big difference. The youtube channel "making mistakes with greg" just did a few videos about running welders on generators on welders, and the efficiency of different welders. It's pretty amazing the difference in power draw between cheap inverter/old transformer machines and new inverter machines with power factor correction.
I run a 11000 wat max gen with 240v and it powers a 1982 miller dialarc and can run 3/16 rod at 140 and it usually pops the genny breaker after a full stick so 1/8 all day
They do make dc welders mugs and such that run of 12- 48v I think I no most welder's require 5,000w inverters minimum. Great video thank you also I'm sure the Milwaukee is so much more stable probably why it worked so well goreat tools I just switched a couple years ago got some in a trade and the old 3/8" m18 fuel impact blew away my brand new DeWalt with twice the battery power Ben using the red brand since love them and I'm not easy on tools I'll use a drill as a hammer in a heartbeat lol
I hope your gonna fit a welder generator/alternator to your land rover as I can see you stopping alot to help out locals who are broken down on the side of the road. Their brilliant Fabrats and Matt's off-road recovery use them all the time and swear by them
Hahaah, just put a comment on this 200 tp welder on your other video, love this welder!!! But.. mine didn't come with the foot pedal. I bought the Yes welder pedal and works just fine on both 110 and 240 50 amp breaker. YES PLEASE DO THE REVIEW ON THE 200 TP!!!
Kool test. That 12v battery test is exactly what I'll be trying next. I've got a 3500w VEVOR inverter and a 12v 100ah battery. Want to see if it'll work off grid. I'll try with 1/6" 6013. When our weather in Vegas clears I'll post the results on my "tinkering geezer" channel. Thanks for your info guys...
having thicc enough wires from the battery to the inverter is crucial. it's like 300 amps from the battery to the inverter at full blast. even on like 300w inverters the wires are usually too small to hit the 300w, even if the insides of the device would be fine for that, and the volts drop and the inverter drops out.
Thanks for the advice. The inverter-battery wire is 0 gauge. I've tested 1500w 140 amps microwave which would only run about 50 seconds. So my 12v solar setup may not be viable. I'll post results. I have been advised that 3-4 SLA batteries may be needed. Thanks again for your input.
lol if your going to buy a Chinese inverter to run a 2000w load then buy one that says 6000w continuous then it might just possibly work... but that i cant guarantee i can weld off my 12v inverter on my van rated at 5000w from a reputable brand (sterling power products). but on a Chinese inverter having a 24v or 48v system will help things along greatly
When i need to be light and mobile i use 2 honda EU2000i paralleled with an ESAB 160 amp suitcase welder, works good but you have to turn off the eco throttel or else it will trip out the welder
Have you heard of premier power welders? Or maybe hook up with merlins old school garage to show you how to make one from your alternator, I think he even has a video showing how to do it.
They are all some sort of syn wave... it's the modified sine wave you must avoid. Those welders do not last powered by a non-pure sine generator. Must be a pure sine-wave generator. Modified isn't good for anything with a computer in it. You understand that using the battery and inverter, you are just going from DC, to AC... Each step uses power to do the conversion. A alternator can be modified to output AC. Then again there are the Premier Power Welder and under hood welders that work well.
I'm suprised someone like EcoFlow or Bluetti haven't stepped up to the plate with one of their offerings, or maybe they are afraid their machines will be in the "can't hack it" pile with all of the others.
Problem with a lot of 12V inverters is they incorporate 'soft start' technology in them - great for starting a motor. No good for getting an arc going.
I just saw an ad for a trailmig trail ark. its just some cables and a helmet which makes me wonder can you stick weld with just a few batteries? maybe you dont need a fancy welder?
Is there a pulse width welding option on any of the smaller, portable welders off Amazon? If so, they would be more likely to hold the current for welding because it shuts on and off the pulse of electricity, so it won't overload the inverter but the trade is the world isn't as clean looking and thorough.
Interesting. As I can run a welder no issues of my 2500w inverter (5000w prek) That said it is all 240v.. might be the difference. Also running it off 3x 115ah agm batteries.
I'm just curious - why would you need a pure sine wave inverter to run these welders? I have a "normal" welder that includes a big transformer, and uses a SCR to chop the output - that would probably prefer or require a pure sine wave. An inverter welder, however... shouldn't care at all. They just rectify everything to (high voltage) DC, switch it at a high frequency, then use a much smaller transformer/inductor to drop the voltage. Generally speaking, you could use crummy AC, or potentially even straight 100+V DC into one of these and it would work. I also second the others here talking about low-frequency inverters(which use a large, heavy transformer) - these will definitely help with spikes, and I've had luck with starting motors off of a low-freq modified sine inverter that wouldn't start from a high-freq one.
No, closest thing to that is 2 generators that support a parallel cable. No way to keep the power in phase with each other without being able to parallel the two sources.
So with your power inverter setup I believe you're running undersized wire. The 1500 watt inverter will deliver 12.5 amps of current and if it's a low frequency inverter I can deliver three times that for short bursts. But anyhow assuming 100% efficiency which you're probably only getting 80% 1500 w at 12 v is 125A. If you really want to give that welder a fighting chance you're going to need at least 1,800 Watts nah better go 2000. Good inverter with active cooling preferably one that's pure sine wave low frequency. And add 2000 Watts you're going to need 166 amps so at least 1/0 copper or better for longer runs. Also those cheapest on Amazon inverters only expect half the rated output. You can look at getting a split phase inverter that way you could have 240 volts. Just remember to divide the wattage by 2 because that's what you will be getting on each phase. You could also wire a 20 amp outlet to the lugs on that 4000 w inverter turn off The limited by the 15A breaker.
Oh whatever you do don't get one of those silver harbor freight power inverters they nearly burnt down my truck. Running something 1/8 the rated capacity.
You ran into the amount of marketing around generators and inverters. The banner specs are almost always “starting” power and then the continuous rating has a the asterisk of being for resistive loads. Some will include a derate calculator for switching or inductive loads and that is what you need for this welder. Also you keep saying 110v but unless you’re in a weird spot you have 120v. 120V * 15 A = 1800W That welder probably really wants 20A so 2400W Add in the derate which is frequently around 30% if not more and you find that the spec you need is 3400W continuous generator. Expect a 4500 of 5000 marketing number and n the side of that generator. No wonder so many people complain about generators and then end up with hilariously oversized units because they’re tired of playing games.
