EU2000i & Backwoods Welding

I've never used a welder with my Honda 2000i.

I have tried to use it with a 110v air compressor, different power tools (circular saw, vacuum cleaner, drill..etc). For most of these I had to hook up my second Honda 2000i in parallel to avoid an overload shutdown.

I'm guessing it would be the same with a small welder.

Do welders have wattage?

welders have high surges, not good for generators, my elim can do 22 amp sustained and using a 15amp craftsman welder, i pop the breaker enough to be annoying

I have thought about using a small 115 volt MIG welder with my EU3000 but have always been afraid that all that welding arcing would somehow feed back up the power cord and damage the Honda electronics producing the power.

I have absolutely nothing to back up that fear though. Just an abundance of caution I guess. So I'd love to hear from somebody that's been doing it for years. It sure would be handy to have that capability.

Horrific current inrush. I measured Celso's Tig unit and it took in excess of 120 amperes AC for around .180 second. An old Delco reefer car 20KW used to grunt when the user was firing 3/16" 7018 sticks.

I have not tried it but it should work...the only issue is that the 2000 only puts out 13 amps, so you're going to be limited to the lower power settings on the MIG, which will limit you to very light duty welding. Ok if you are doing body work out in the field...

Do a search for "onboard welder", many of the offroad guys have made welders from alternators that are belt driven from the engine. A MIG welder operates on low voltage but high current, and the electronics in the welder step down 120v house current to much lower voltage to enable high current for welding. 10A @ 120v is the same power wattage as 100A @ 12V.

Here's a write up on how to build an onboard welder for $100 in parts.

Here's a more detailed discussion.

Premier Power Welder makes units that work with your stock alternator.

If you are planning to do any heavy field welding on frames, tractors, implements, etc, a DC welder set up like this will give you the amps you need to stick weld the heavier stuff.

Sounds like a big inverter might be the way to go.

2oldman wrote:
Sounds like a big inverter might be the way to go.

Actually an inverter is not what you want, welding voltage is typically 10-20v. A MIG welder is actually just a high-powered transformer than steps down 120v to much lower levels an steps up the current accordingly.

Here is a battery powered welder.

I have a Lincoln flux core 80~90 amp? 120v welder
I normally use the Onan to power it
I have used a champion open frame 3000w generator to power it

I don't think I would try it with a Honda 2000 , unless it was an emergency fix to get me to a shop

It might work for sheet metal, don't think it would be strong enough to weld hitches or frame..etc..

Not knocking the welder, it's the lack of Power from a small generator
I've done broken hitches with my Lincoln, not a permanent repair, but good enough to carefully get someplace to make it right
You can do a lot with a small welder if you take your time

2oldman wrote:
Do welders have wattage?

The smallest stick machine at Harbor Freight (I think its rated at 70 amps output) gives the input as:

115V
20A