[Tiger]

I'm considering a Miller Bobcat 250 EFI welder as a backup generator for the shop and office. I was curious if anyone has done this or has suggestions about the setup. One issue is that I would like to run it inside the shop and somehow exhaust it to the exterior. Not sure how to do that effectively. It is 500 pounds and would be a bear to roll across the yard from the shop to the house.

 

[Mississippi]

Wouldn't it be cheaper in the long run to just buy a generator? Unless, of course you need the welder.

I would think a natural gas or propane generator would be a lot more fuel efficient.

 

[Pearce Services]

do you really want the fumes (and noise) in your shop? can you build a doghouse for it and run a cable into your shop?

If you could use a heavy extension cord and just move the cord from the shop to the house, you will not need to move the unit.

You could sell the welder and buy a generator with the money. You should be able to sell the welder for more money than a generator of the same capacity would cost.

 

[Tiger]

Wouldn't it be cheaper in the long run to just buy a generator? Unless, of course you need the welder. I would think a natural gas or propane generator would be a lot more fuel efficient.

The cost of a welder and a high quality generator are about the same. I do need a welder. A natural gas hookup will take away the portability. What I like about the welder is that they are more rugged than a generator, made to run 24/7, made to take the vibration of transport, made to handle heavy electrical loads instantly.

 

[Tiger]

do you really want the fumes (and noise) in your shop? can you build a doghouse for it and run a cable into your shop? If you could use a heavy extension cord and just move the cord from the shop to the house, you will not need to move the unit. You could sell the welder and buy a generator with the money. You should be able to sell the welder for more money than a generator of the same capacity would cost.

Of course I don't want fumes in the shop. That's why I'm trying to figure a way to safely exhaust it all outdoors. I would prefer to have the noise in the shop rather than the office and neighborhood I don't have the welder yet. I'm buying it. The electrical portion of it I can do, no problem. It's the exhaust I haven't figured.

 

[fred54]

I would build a doghouse in the shop for it with louvers to the outside. keeps your noise down a bit and gives you combustion air and exhaust.

The muffler is usually pipe thread and you can use black pipe to extend it outside but you'll send a lot of noise outside at the same time which you don't want.