Can I run a 220 volt welder off batteries?

[Sunking]

These work just fine on 2, 12 v batteries. I'v seen them used 100's of times on boats in the water. While not a production welder they will work.

http://www.goweld.com/prodinfo.html

200 amps @ 42 volts.

[Willy T]

These work just fine on 2, 12 v batteries. I'v seen them used 100's of times on boats in the water. While not a production welder they will work.

http://www.goweld.com/prodinfo.html

[Mike90250]

On a 12V system, not a chance you will be able to power a respectable welder.

You are better off hooking 4, 6V batteries in series, and using them with a Stick Welder handle & electrode. It may take a while to recharge the batteries. And you better KNOW how to weld, because if you get the stick stuck ...

[Living Large]

{snip}
Here are the welder’s specifications:

Rated Electrical Input: 210-240 VAC; 50-60Hz; 22AMP
Max Voltage at No Load: 20 V DC
Rated Duty Cycle: 130A@30% duty cycle

{snip}

None of the solar equipment has been decided on yet, but I am expecting to have 4-6, 6 volt Trojan batteries wired in series-parallel. I want to keep the whole system at 12 volts because of the motorhome. I will be using an appropriately sized MPPT controller, and have not decided on the inverter yet because of this 220 volt welder question.

{snip}

Let's say the welder takes 4840W. At 4 batteries, that's 2 x 2. 4840/12 = 403A, divided by two, or 201.5A through each string.
If you have 6 batteries, 3 x 2, 134A through each string. That's a lot of current. My guess is there is no way. I am new to this, but I believe you would need a (large) 48V system. Or run the welder on a generator?

[Sunking]

It could be done if money is no object and you have a trailer to hold all the batteries and panels required. That is why portable welders have big gas or diesel engines.

[Krash]

Hello, first post here. I didn’t know if I should post this on a welding forum or here, but I figured one of you may have done this before.

I just bought a trailer to tow behind my motorhome to take my car with me on extended trips. Actually, we will be full-timing in the motorhome soon, so I will be adding a 600 watt (approximately) solar system to the trailer, as we plan to be off grid most of the time.

The trailer will also be used as my workshop too. I do some wood working and some welding also.

Although the motorhome has a generator, unfortunately it won’t produce 220 volts to run my mig welder.
What I am trying to find out is if it is possible, and practical, to try to run my welder from my 12 volt solar battery bank. Here are the welder’s specifications:

Rated Electrical Input: 210-240 VAC; 50-60Hz; 22AMP
Max Voltage at No Load: 20 V DC
Rated Duty Cycle: 130A@30% duty cycle

Now, I am not some great welder, in fact, I barely get the job done, so all of my welding is on small projects, and I would never be welding for more than 10-20 seconds at a time. And I don’t care if I only weld 1 minute out of an hour. In other words, I will never approach my welder’s duty cycle.

None of the solar equipment has been decided on yet, but I am expecting to have 4-6, 6 volt Trojan batteries wired in series-parallel. I want to keep the whole system at 12 volts because of the motorhome. I will be using an appropriately sized MPPT controller, and have not decided on the inverter yet because of this 220 volt welder question.

Oh, one other thing, when using the welder, there would be no other draw on the battery bank. I would be welding so seldom that I can shut off all the other draws on the system.

So, can anyone tell me if this can easily be done?
Thanks