Honda Welder/Generator

[pontiac]

Just wondering if anyone had a chance to use one of these things..

My neighbor has one and I was wondering if it's worth trying to buy it from him.

Here's the specs from Honda

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/ew171.htm

[bjdenommee]

Thats a nice machine, just what type of welding are you planning on doing?
A 175 is a good size, depending on what you plan on doing.

I dont know how much its worth, but compare before you buy.

good luck
Bernie

[pontiac]

I'm somewhat limited on my little 90amp mig..
On anything thicker than 1/8" it's not cutting it.

I was thinking I could use the DC stick welder on projects where I need to weld 1/4" or thicker.

Power out here isn't to reliable in the winter so the generator would be nice too.

New they are about $2000..

[Franz]

Only drawback I see to it is that the machine will only produce 125 volt ac for power failures. It will certainly get you thru a power outage, a more common event every year since big companys are buying up small companys, but it could be a major pain in the a$$ if you need 220 volt for a well pump or such.
As far as buying from the neighbor is concerned, you should know how he took care of it, and if he did a good job, I see no reason not to buy at the right price.

[frank]

If you look around you can find a Bobcat, Ranger 8, or a Champ 16 for about the same money. More AC output, AC/DC weld output, CV output, and American made. I work on the Honda line of generators and the are good but when they break you need a banker to get the parts.

[cope]

Originally posted by frank
If you look around you can find a Bobcat, Ranger 8, or a Champ 16 for about the same money. More AC output, AC/DC weld output, CV output, and American made. I work on the Honda line of generators and the are good but when they break you need a banker to get the parts.

I agree. Also. Onan is a better choice for severe duty than Honda or anyone else in my experience(although Onan and Honda run neck and neck in the cost department).

[pontiac]

Well he wants $500 for it but the lack of 220v has me thinking about looking around more..

[Scott V]

I would buy that in one,second at that price.The 230 volt doesn't really mean much in that size.I like the fact you can pull 30 amps out of the 120 volts for full output with 120 volt plasmas,and little tig welders,air compressor.You can run a voltage sensing feeder off of it for some fluxcore,and even solid wire spray on .030.I had a 3500 Honda,and the are tough as nails.Roofing companys down here beat the stuffing out of those,and they keep going.As for parts try Onan is you think Honda parts are high.You better jump on that machine today.It's got a very nice ac output from the one I had.I ran mine for 7 hours one time,and it used 1.5 gals of gas.Not at a full load but it keep the house up,and running.

The biggest downfall of the Thermal-arc portable,is it doesn't have full output on 120 volts,only two 15 amp plugs.It does have a very nice stick arc.If the Honda had a decent stick arc it would be the hands down winner in that class.I like those Honda Generators.Cope is right on the Onan,because they run at 1800 rpm,but don't worry the Honda will run for a very very long time with decent care.

[Franz]

For $500 if the machine hasn't had the snott beat out of it, buy, unless you have the absolute need for 220 volt to keep your house running.
Ride the machine around in the back of your truck for a couple months, and somebody will double your money for you. If nothing else, it's a good investment that ought to pay off well.

[Sberry]

At 500 it would be a done deal. Nice and light too which is worth a bunch all its own.

[Hobart Expert Rock]

PONTIAC.......WELL I THINK THE PRICE IS RIGHT ALSO................. ONLY DRAW BACK FOR GENERATOR IS NO 230 VOLTS............. A VOLTAGE SENSING FEEDER WOULD BE JUST FINE............. WE MAKE SEVERAL TYPE'S............. I THINK I WOULD STRIKE AN ARC AND SEE HOW IT WELDS..............WE STILL USE HONDA'S ON THE BLUESTAR LINE 3500/6000 AS WELL AS THE CHAMPION VERSIONS................ YOUR CALL AFTER ALL IT IS YOUR HARD EARNED CASH..............ROCK........................
[email protected]

[pontiac]

OK you guys talked me into it.

I'll go take it for a test drive then talk to the bank manager (wife) about aquiring the funds

Would the 3045 feader be a good choice for this setup?
Also how long of a lead can I use from the welder to the feeder?
It looks like the honda runs a fixed 24.5v and variable current.

At first I throught the 115v power requirement for the feeder would limit portability but then I realised I could just plug it into the generator.. DUH!

Geez by the time I'm done I could have bought an MM210

Would it be posible to do tig with this thing also?

[Hobart Expert Rock]

PONTIAC........... YES THE 3045FC FEEDER WILL HOOK UP TO IT.... YOU CAN DO SCRATCH START DC TIG ONLY......... TAKE SOME RODS WITH YOU AND MAKE SURE THIS THING WORKS......... ENJOY AND HAVE SOME FUN WITH IT.......................ROCK

[Scott V]

Aaron,what models of Onans,and Hondas where you using?There is a big differerce.

Also from working on cars,and trucks the one thing that is universal in that field, is stay away from the M cars!

The one good product Mitisubishi built,used to go up like a roman candle,the WW 2 zero! That always sticks in my mind,and it's served me well.

[pontiac]

I've worked with Honda generators before and liked the results.

When I was working TV we had 2 Hondas..
one little 1500w and a 5000w

During a power outages we used the 1500 to run the copy machine for the news people.. It did it but didn't like it much but it did the job.

We had the 5000w tied up running 3 microware dishes so we could keep a signal from our sister station going to the transmiter.

More normal uses were to run the production van for the Hydroplane races and other remote locations.

Powering the van it ran 2 VTRs, 6 monitors, a small switch board, small audio mixer, microwave gear, the roof top A/C unit a couple video amps & sometimes a pair of 500w halogen lights too.

We also borrowed the 1500w all the time to run lights & a small compressor when we went Drag racing.

Up at the transmiter site was had something a little better.
It was a cat turbo desel generator that put out 3 phase 440v.
took it about 2 seconds to go form dead cold to full power.
You didn't want to be in the room at the time though