Shopsmith Forums

Hi everyone I'm Jack "pauses to let everyone say hi Jack"

Like the title says I need to see if a mark v can be used with a generator. I need to build some things on some property I own but there's no way to get power on the property. Thanks in advance.

That is a 15A generator with inverter correct? Depending on start up current pulled by your unit, it may be possible and you would not be able to run anything else.

hdystt wrote:Hi everyone I'm Jack "pauses to let everyone say hi Jack"

Like the title says I need to see if a mark v can be used with a generator. I need to build some things on some property I own but there's no way to get power on the property. Thanks in advance.

Hi Jack!

Your Shopsmith can certainly be run from a generator, but the Honda EU2000I is probably going to be too small. The 15A rated current would seem to be sufficient, but I checked the specs, and the maximum output current is only 18A.

So why is this a problem? Because induction motors, like the one in your Shopsmith, draw very large currents when starting. I measured the startup current on my own Mark V at 54A. For the gory details, see the thread below.

https://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/view ... 30#p189430

A non-inverter generator is likely to have a larger peak-current capacity, relative to it’s rated current. I’m not sure what would happen if you try to start your Shopsmith from the little Honda generator, but I expect that it would see the stationary induction motor as a short circuit, and trip its overload protection.

A Mark 7 may work since I doubt it has the induction motor startup current surge.

However 15A rated output IMO is too small especially if any sawing is intended.

You will find it almost impossible to get the motor started with a generator that small. It is rated at 2200 watts running, and the Shopsmith motor needs much more than that to start up.
Remember that with motors like that, when voltage drops, current through them increases to get the needed wattage. That burns up motors.
On startup, the Shopsmith motor could easily want 6,000 watts.
I'd look for a generator of around 5,000 watts running.

I was worried it wouldn't run it. I might try getting second one and a parallel kit that is supposed to be able to power at 30 amps. Thanks, everyone

hdystt wrote:I was worried it wouldn't run it. I might try getting second one and a parallel kit that is supposed to be able to power at 30 amps. Thanks, everyone

???

A single large generator would cost less than an additional Honda generator and parallel kit.