Lincoln Electric - Engine Driven Welders

How to Select the Right Engine-Driven Welder for the Job
Understanding the Basics

Engine-driven welders are generally used when electric power is not available for arc welding. Usually these are outdoor applications. However, engine-drive welders are often used for indoor applications when it is not convenient to supply power to electric "plug-in" arc welders. These indoor situations include everything from minor repair jobs to major plant shutdowns. When operating engine-driven welders indoors, vent the exhaust outside if at all possible, or use in large spaces with good ventilation.

The basic considerations when choosing an engine-driven welder are:

• Application
  
• Engine Type
  
• Portability
  
• AC Generator Power

Application

In trying to select an engine drive, the first thing to consider is the application. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Is this new construction or a repair job? Also, what is the size of the project?

2. Is there a particular welding process you would like to use? You may want to stick with a process with which you feel most comfortable, or there may be a certain process required on the job.

3. Is this a pipe welding project? The equipment chosen needs to produce an arc suitable for this type of work.

4. Will the job require arc gouging? Arc gouging is repair work usually done in industrial jobs.

5. What type of material needs to be welded? Most of the time the material will be a common mild steel plate. However, if it's aluminum, the welding will require different equipment.

Using this information, match it to the welding processes described below:

Engine Type

After the application has been defined and the welding process has been selected, the next step is to choose the engine. Diesel, gasoline or liquid propane gas (LPG) are the choices. A diesel engine offers better fuel economy than a gasoline engine, and diesel fuel does not ignite as easily as gasoline. Refineries almost always require diesel-fueled machines rather than gasoline-fueled machines. Another consideration for large jobs is whether the fuel is being supplied at the job site. If so, it is usually diesel, but whatever the fuel, the cost savings will usually determine the engine choice.

Gasoline engines are sometimes preferred in cold weather climates because they start more easily without extra starting aids, such as ether start kits and winterized fuel for colder weather.

LPG is much less common, but becomes an important alternative choice when diesel and gasoline exhaust emissions are not permitted for indoor applications.

A spark arrester may also be required in forest and oil service areas.

Portability

Sometimes the need for portability will be the main factor in equipment selection. If an engine-driven welder needs to be carried or lifted to a work area, having a small gasoline stick welder will normally be the best answer.

AC Generator Power

AC power is sometimes required on the jobsite for grinding welds or for lights when working at night. Normally, 3,000 watts of AC generator power is plenty of power for these applications. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) are recommended and may be required. An AC TIG welder or plasma cutter will require more power - typically 8,000 watts minimum.

Additional Help

Product literature published by welding equipment manufacturers provides additional information that cannot be covered here in detail. Company sales representatives and the customer service departments are also excellent sources of information for technical questions on applications and products.