Need welder advice...

[Tractor Seabee]

This has been an interesting conversation. Wish I had the money to have what I want instead of what I can get by with.

I assume you are putting the welder inside/not outside. If you wire direct w/o receptacle & plug and the machine is not in close/direct sight of the panel you need to put a wall mount disconnect switch close to machine (code, and your safety) Its ampacity needs to match the circuit or greater to the next size. They come in 30, 60 then 100A size, called a safety switch. They make receptacles larger than 60A (range plug) but they get real spendy, better to go the direct route w/ the switch. If you go larger than 60A you might as well pipe in conduit (use plastic) and buy THHN wire, black red and green (ground) unless the welder has a 120v controller then you will need a white neutral wire also. Anything metal has to be bonded to the green gorund. The rubber covered (SO) cable larger than #6 really starts to climb the dollar ladder. Wire from the switch to the machine in flex conduit. This is the simple explanation w/ a lot left out to comply w/code.

Ask specific questions and I will try specific answers.

Ron

 

[dntfxr]

Thanks Seabee I'll definitely ask more particulars about wiring the circuit when I get my shop built. I went to trade school for residential electricity out of high school but I'm not up on codes at all. I was thinking a switch would be required inline between the panel and machine. Its got a 5' section of cable that came with it, so i'll probably get more of that unless code requires conduit/thhn. The machine will be indoors and stationary ( maybe on a cart to scoot it around on a short cord) at all times, set up next to the bay door. I'm pretty sure the 50' leads will be enough.

In the meantime I'd like to set it up in my garage and the circuit I have is the old range circuit, it might actually be 50amp, I need to check. We replaced the electric range with a gas one when we remodeled. I have read of some others using these machines on 50amp circuit, at the lower amperages but 40 is probably pushing it.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Thanks Seabee I'll definitely ask more particulars about wiring the circuit when I get my shop built. I went to trade school for residential electricity out of high school but I'm not up on codes at all. I was thinking a switch would be required inline between the panel and machine. Its got a 5' section of cable that came with it, so i'll probably get more of that unless code requires conduit/thhn. The machine will be indoors and stationary ( maybe on a cart to scoot it around on a short cord) at all times, set up next to the bay door. I'm pretty sure the 50' leads will be enough.

In the meantime I'd like to set it up in my garage and the circuit I have is the old range circuit, it might actually be 50amp, I need to check. We replaced the electric range with a gas one when we remodeled. I have read of some others using these machines on 50amp circuit, at the lower amperages but 40 is probably pushing it.

You can set the welder under the switch and run the cord into the bottom of the switch, just use a special fitting with a rubber grommet in it and a strain connectior to match the rubber covered cord. it is probably not the same size wire as the circuit will require as it is short and UL approved to use w/a safety switch. Put a longer one on; then you will need to match circuit wire size. Buy more welding lead if you have to stretch out. You can usually find used stuff. I bought 100' of #1 lead at the metal recyclers for scrap price plus their margin. 30% the price of new. You will need to get the fittings at an electrical supply house as the retail stores do not have. Try Grainger on line if you are out in the sticks.

Ron

 

[dntfxr]

Well bummer, today I found out that the HF transformer was fried. The miller dealer said it is 100$ for the parts. Anyone have an idea how hard this is to replace?

 

[yomax4]

Well bummer, today I found out that the HF transformer was fried. The miller dealer said it is 100$ for the parts. Anyone have an idea how hard this is to replace?

Easy...Big Transformer. Big Wires. Keep track of the Ground. Done Deal. May Require a little Soldering depending on current production.

 

[deereman75]

Does the rest of it work well? Have you tried stick welding with it yet?

 

[dntfxr]

Yeah it stick welds great. But I got the miller dealer to check out the HF to get ready to tig and they found the problem. I think they want 150 just to install the new part
I may just install it myself if it's not too bad of a job

 

[deereman75]

probably a stupid question, but can you use the hf when stick welding?

 

[dntfxr]

Hmm, I'm not sure. I just checked it out at the Miller dealer when I bought the new leads and then asked them about getting it ready for Tig. I let them go through it without me even trying the HF first. I didn't realize you could use it with stick. But the regular stick welds really good. Great actually. I wonder what would have cause the HF to go out?

 

[Shield Arc]

I wonder what would have cause the HF to go out?

Could be as simple as age. Or capacitors, (blue arrows). I know I got tired of changing them on my old Gold Star, thats one reason I bought the Dynasty 300.