In 1887 direct current (DC) was king. At that time there were 121 Edison power stations scattered across the United States delivering DC electricity to its customers. But DC had a great limitation -- namely, that power plants could only send DC electricity about a mile before the electricity began to lose power. So when George Westinghouse introduced his system based on high-voltage alternating current (AC), which could carry electricity hundreds of miles with little loss of power, people naturally took notice. A "battle of the currents" ensued. In the end, Westinghouse's AC prevailed. But this special feature isn't about the two electrical systems and how they worked. Rather, it's a simple explanation that shows the difference between AC and DC. When you receive a shock from static electricity, tiny particles called electrons actually move between your body and some other object. In a nutshell, that's what electricity is -- the movement of electrons.All matter is made of atoms, and all atoms have electrons. 

Electrons occupy a space that surrounds the atoms nucleus. Each electron resides in a "shell," and each shell has a maximum number of electrons that it can hold. For most atoms, the outermost shell does not contain its maximum number of electrons. Some atoms, such as copper, have only one electron in its outer shell. Because there's only one electron in the copper atom's outer shell, it's not strongly attached to the atom. In other words, it is easily pulled away.In a copper wire, electrons are able to move relatively freely from atom to atom.Not all materials allow electrons to move so freely, however. Carbon, for instance, puts up a resistance to the flow of electrons. Electrons can still move through the carbon, it just takes more energy to get them to move.You've no doubt heard the terms current and voltage. Current describes how many electrons are passing through a wire or some other object at any given moment. High current means lots of electrons are in motion. Voltage describes how much energy the electrons carry.

High voltage means lots of energy. You could view a battery as a kind of pump. But instead of pumping water through pipes, the battery moves electrons through a wire (and through the things that the wire is connected to).Here's how a battery works (the kind you buy at the checkout counter): The battery is made up of a zinc can, which acts as the battery's container (although it's usually covered by a shiny metal casing), and a carbon rod, which is at the battery's center, suspended in a pasty mixture that, in an alkaline cell, contains potassium hydroxide.A chemical reaction within the pasty mixture strips electrons from some of its atoms. These excess electrons collect on the zinc can, which acts as the negative terminal. At the carbon rod are atoms with a shortage of electrons. The electrons at the negative terminal want to go to positive terminal, they just need a way to get there. In our light bulb circuit, the way to get there is through the wire. The number of the electrons the battery can push through the circuit will depend on the resistance at the bulb's filament.

Because the electrons flow in one direction only, batteries produce direct current.With Edison's direct current system, electricity was produced not by batteries but by a DC generator. The generator actually produced alternating current, which was then converted to direct current with a commutator. The purpose of a generator is to convert motion into electricity. This wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for one fact: That a wire passing through a magnetic field causes electrons in that wire to move together in one direction.how to make an ac generator modelA generator consists of some magnets and a wire (usually a very long one that's wrapped to form several coils and known as an armature). what is the cost for a new air conditioning unitA steam engine or some other outside source of motion moves the wire or armature through the magnetic field created by the magnets.ac unit is not running outside

In the example to the left, a loop of wire is spinning within a magnetic field. Because it is always moving through the field, a current is sustained.But, because the loop is spinning, it's moving across the field first in one direction and then in the other, which means that the flow of electrons keeps changing. Because the electrons flow first in one direction and in the other, the generator produces an alternating current.One advantage that AC has over DC is that it can easily be "stepped up" or "stepped down" with a transformer. In other words, a transformer can take a low-voltage current and make it a high-voltage current, and vice versa.This comes in handy in transmitting electricity over long distances. Since AC travels more efficiently at high voltages, transformers are used to step up the voltage before the electricity is sent out, and then other transformers are used to step down the voltage for use in homes and businesses. Imagine that you're holding a garden hose -- one with no nozzle attached.

With nothing to obstruct the water, it pours out of the hose's end freely. But if you place your thumb over the end of the hose, the water's going to squirt out. The reason it does is because of the resistance created by your thumb.It works much the same way for a light bulb. Electrons move relatively freely through the wire, then they come to the bulb's filament, which resists the flow of electrons. The electrons can get through, but not as easily as they can through the wire. The work done overcoming the resistance causes the filament to heat up and to give off light.Hover over image to zoom Click image to enlarge Tap image to enlarge Free Shipping (Lower 48 states) View Shipping + Delivery Estimates The Hobart® Champion™ Elite DC Welder/AC Generator with Kohler Engine can simultaneously handle welding jobs and act as a generator to provide on-site power for tools and more. A versatile performer for light industrial, MRO, farm and hobby applications. Comes with Hobart 5/3/1 limited warranty;

engine warranted separately by manufacturer. Not for sale in California. Standard Equipment is Exceptional This impressive workhorse generates up to 9,500 continuous watts of power. It also can pull double duty, simultaneously delivering 150 Amps of welding output and 8,000 Watts of generator power so you can weld and run other power equipment at the same time. Match Your Amps to Your Project This versatile unit has a 40–225 Amp DC output range and delivers up to 225 Amps @ 100% duty cycle with DC output. Coarse and fine amperage adjustments put the power into your hands, allowing you to easily fine tune your output for excellent welding results. Single Pass Welding Performance This dependable welder gives you all the juice you'll need to weld mild steel, stainless steel and cast iron up to 1/2in. thick in a single pass. Doubles as an Auxiliary Power Hub Generates the Power You Need This multipurpose unit not only does duty as a welder, but also works hard as a generator, as well.

Delivering up to 11,000 Watts of generator power, this unit is more than capable of running tools and worklights, or acting as backup power during an outage. The generator includes four 120V (20 Amp) GFCI-protected outlets, one 240V (NEMA 6-50R) 50 Amp receptacle, and one 120/240V (NEMA 14-50R) 50 Amp receptacle with pushbutton reset circuit breakers, allowing you to safely run multiple tools and accessories at once. Dependably Powered by Kohler® This portable unit relies on a smooth 23 HP Kohler® twin cylinder, 4-cycle OHV engine to deliver exceptional performance. The engine is fully enclosed in a protective case that reduces noise for super quiet operation, and provides added weather protection for outdoor use. Quietly Uses Less Gas The fuel-efficient motor features an extra-large 12-gallon fuel capacity and can run up to 14 hours on a full tank of gas under a continuous load of 4,000 Watts. The auto-idle feature provides even more fuel savings and also helps to further reduce noise output.

Loaded with Handy Extras Servicing an engine can sometimes slip through the cracks, but "no tools" oil changes make that task quicker and easier. A built-in digital hour meter also assists you in keeping current on scheduled maintenance, and sight gauges make it easy to check fluid levels. Goes Wherever You Need It Built to Handle Whatever You Dish Out This heavy-duty generator/welder is the dependable mobile source you need for on-site projects. The fully enclosed engine design, large battery and rugged electrical connections and wiring are designed to handle the toughest working conditions. Get Hooked on the Top Hanger When the work day is done you don't want to just leave your Champion Elite unattended at the site. An extra strong, built-in top loop adds the rugged attachment point you need to lift the unit with a crane so you can load it into your truck, or store it safely elevated off the ground until it's time to punch the clock again. The compact Hobart Champion Elite is just under 3 1/2ft. long, measuring 41in.

H, and weighs less than most comparable units, making it the perfect choice for portable applications. This unit's not only easy to transport, but also easy to use once you get there! Don't Forget the Extras You can add an optional running gear wheel kit (Item# 42541, sold separately) to make this unit even more mobile. And don't forget, the Hobart Champion Elite requires welding cables (Item#s 628510 or 628511, sold separately) for welding operation. Weld with Quality and Confidence The Hobart Champion Elite is made in the U.S.A. and backed by Hobart's industry-leading 5–3–1 industrial warranty. You get a 5-year warranty on transformers, stabilizers, reactors, rectifiers, rotors, stators and brushes; a 3-year warranty on drive systems, PC boards, solenoid valves, switches and controls; and a 1-year warranty on plasma torches, MIG guns, relays, contactor, triggers, regulator, accessories, spoolguns, battery, field options and running gear. (90-day limited warranty for industrial use).

Normal wear items such as drive rolls, contact tips, nozzles, gas diffusers, plasma torch tips, electrodes and weld cables are not covered under this warranty. Shop in complete confidence, knowing that Northern Tool + Equipment protects your investment and is ready to provide you with the assistance and helpful resources you need. Mobile source heavy-duty generator/welder41in.H unit is just under 4ft. long and weighs less than most competitive unitsPortable, engine-driven solution with 23 HP Kohler twin cylinder, 4-cycle OHV engineDelivers up to 11,000 Watts of AC generator power to run tools, worklights or backup power during an outage9,500 continuous watts power generationCan simultaneously deliver 150 Amps weld output and 8,000 Watts of generator powerDelivers up to 225 Amps @ 100% duty cycle (DC output)40–225 Amp DC output rangeHandles mild steel, stainless steel and cast iron with max. thickness of 1/2in. in a single passAuto-idle for increased fuel savings and reduced noiseFuel-efficient model can run up to 14-hrs.

tank of gas under a continuous load of 4000 WattsHeavy-duty construction with fully enclosed engine design, large battery and rugged electrical connections and wiringFully enclosed case design reduces noise and provides added weather protectionSight gauge makes it easy to check fuel levelsIncludes built-in digital hour meter to assist you in keeping current on scheduled maintenance"No tools" oil change and standard hour meter help maintain routine scheduled oil servicingCoarse and Fine amperage adjustments allow for easy fine-tuning of welder outputExtra-large 12-gallon fuel capacity for increased runtimesIncludes four 120V (20 Amp) GFCI protected outlets, one 240V (NEMA 6-50R) 50 Amp receptacle and one 120/240V (NEMA 14-50R) 50 Amp receptacle with pushbutton reset circuit breakersRequired welding cables (Item#s 628510 or 628511) sold separatelyOptional running gear wheel kit (Item# 42541) sold separately 5 year limited warranty (4) 120V GFCI (20A); (1) 240V (NEMA 6-50R) 50A;

(1) 120/240V (14-50R) 50A Up to 1/2 single pass 23 HP Kohler twin cylinder, 4-cycle overhead Dimensions L x W x H (in.) 41 x 20 x 28 Review Terms + Conditions Print Reviews for FREE SHIPPING — Hobart Champion Elite DC Welder/AC Generator with Kohler Engine — 225 Amp DC, 11,000 Watts AC Power, Model# 500562 Q + A Terms and Conditions Print Questions + Answers for FREE SHIPPING — Hobart Champion Elite DC Welder/AC Generator with Kohler Engine — 225 Amp DC, 11,000 Watts AC Power, Model# 500562 Hobart Stick Cable Set — No. 4, 20ft. Electrode Cable with Holder, 15ft. Work Cable with Clamp, 2-Pc. Set, Model# 193067 Hobart Stick Cable Set — No. 2, 50ft. Electrode Cable with Holder, 50ft. Work Cable with Clamp, 2-Pc. Set, Model# 195195 No-Spill Gas Can — 5-Gallon Capacity, Model# 1450 Engine Drive Welder Accessories Hobart Welder/Generator Cover — Fits Champion Elite Welders with Rear-Exhaust, Model# 770714 Hobart Welder Running Gear Wheel Kit — Fits Champion Elite, Model# 300997