Startup surge current not listed on my welder, does anyone know what highest surge current for this welder would be?
Reading what I have experienced has anyone had similar problems?
Running my Hobart Auto Arc 130 which uses 120V 20AMP breaker, I know for fact I have noticed it welds nice on highest setting 4 at a wall outlet with my 50ft 12 gauge extension cord.
I think I remember that with a generator that has the 20 amp breaker 3500 Watt and 4000 Watt startup surge capable using the same setup, the 50ft 12 gauge extension cord on high 4 setting it did fine and generator was handling it. If it was only on setting 3 for voltage I have to put that set up and then try again with the switch to 4 to see if that it still handles it OK on setting 4 to be sure.
Here is the point, last time I had just had the generator direct connected to welder without the 50ft 12 gauge extension cord and setting 4 and when doing so bogged down the generator and I had to switch to setting 3 which is not as hot. For doing 1/4 inch I can bevel the two pieces on their edge to form a V shape and fillet, but I thought that the generator already handled it on setting 4 before anyway. The only difference last time I tried with the generator running the welder on high 4 setting, was without the 50ft 12 gauge extension cord.
I am thinking that the 50ft 12 gauge extension cord with its resistance in series limits the amount of current that the welder can try to draw and therefore puts less demand on the generator at weld startup. 4000 Watts continuous is over 20 amps that the generator can handle. The other 2 shaped plug outlets have the 25 amp breaker on them. Continuous current demand is met no problem, but surge current when I just start to weld, the generator would may need 30 or more amps of surge, so my generator will not do.
I have borrowed from a friend a clip on amp meter that measures AC Current. I have to make a short length of wire where I can clip around the hot or neural wire, but not both so I can use the clamp on meter to measure the peak startup current. I’ll use a video camera to see what the display does and also the meter captures highest reading also. Then I will know for sure. No answers back from Hobart, suspect that they may not have a surge specification, but only you need 120V 20Amp Breaker which is what I called them about before I bought the generator to use with this welder.
If it turns out that setting 4 on the welder works with the 50ft 12 gauge extension cord and the current I measure the welder is using at the 120V input with the 50ft 12 gauge extension cord is only slightly less, I would assume the weld output on setting 4 is about the same heat.
I can maybe do without ear plugs and always use the 50ft 12 gauge extension cord.
Pictures, 1st one is where I had not done the v grind and I shall redo to make stronger so when grinding off a little it does not loose fastening strength. 2nd picture with some of the prepared parts that will be welded, then cut outer edge to shape and ground and sanded smooth.
I use leftover pieces of metal so the outer edge with the 1/2 hole cut through is what will be cut off and look better when done.
Its only for a jack shaft bracket not so much for looks, but the thinning of some of the angle bracket metal for the clearance for the pillow bearings to fit, I felt I would add some metal welded to the opposite edge so rigidity and strength is retained.
MT
