3 phase question

[pandawill]

Hi all - newbie to the forum. Am looking for a bit of advice as electrics is not my strong point.

We've recently moved into a new house with the great benefit of a double garage. I'd like to run a TIG welder from the garage, but I've looked into the cost of getting 3 phase installed and it's horrendous.

My options seem to be to get a machine and convert to single phase or get a 3 phase generator - which I know nothing about.

Would this sort of thing run a TIG?

Era 2245ERA Petrol Generator 4 Stroke 3 Phase & 1 Phase 415V, 240V & 12 Volt 3000LCL3P

Thanks

 

[Specialist]

Have you looked into Inverters ? Single phase in / 3 phase out. Would be a cheaper option than a Genny.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

It's possible, but I doubt it.
I would suggest you first check out welders before deciding to purchase a generator.
Most advise against using a generator for the supply, and those that do will specify the type of generator required.
I have seen self powered Arc welders, that are basically a generator/arc welder in one, but from what I can remember, both Mig and Tig require a more stable supply.

 

[Rockingit]

Panda - subject to the amount of current the welder will draw, and the amount that genny can give, yes it's a 3ph solution. But as Spec said, in the long term you're probably much better off looking at an inverter. BUT - remember that what comes out must go in, so if your system wants to use 50A, for arguments sake, that's likely to be much more of a load than the current wiring system to the garage is designed for, so expect some extra work to be done (which if you're in England / Wales is all Part P notifiable).

 

[ruston]

Also it depends on your requirements,you can get single phase Tigs.


always forget to add the link.
Tig Welder | Tig Welding Equipment. Tig Welders AC-DC and DC

 

[pandawill]

Brilliant - very quick responses - I will look into inverters. It sounds like a generator isn't going to be the best solution.

thanks for your help and happy Christmas to all.

 

[Marvo]

A 3-phase TIG welder must be an industrial one. I've got a couple of TIG welders in my workshop and the 400Amp Miller which is the bigger of the two only uses a standard single phase supply.

 

[HandySparks]

As ruston says, get a single phase welder and, if necessary, get an electrician to install a suitably rated circuit and socket to supply it.

If you get a three phase welder without a three phase supply, you'll have to pay out for an inverter and you'll still need somewhere to plug it in with a high enough current rating.

 

[Knobhead]

Give the disturbance the welder is likely to cause to the mains I can’t see an inverter liking it at all. Google inverters and speak to a couple of companies.

 

[ruston]

Loads cheaper in the long run.

 

[ruston]

Give the disturbance the welder is likely to cause to the mains I can’t see an inverter liking it at all. Google inverters and speak to a couple of companies.

Yes hope he's got good neighbors lol.

 

[Rockingit]

There was a similar thread to this a few days ago about a tyre machine.

I DONT KNOW, and have been at the cider again, but mechanical losses aside, how successful is it to use a 1ph motor to turn a 3ph generator to produce a solution at this scale?

 

[Knobhead]

Lucky if you got 65% out of it. Plus a reasonable sized single-phase motor is expensive.