Question for all you welders!!!!

[lynxpilot]

HERE is a link to the product info on the AC225. Need to look at input power for the 60Hz version (the other one is Euro trash 50 Hz). Says 50 amps max draw at rated power. Make sure the wire size you use exceeds this rating as per tables in last post.

 

[Steel_Butcher]

Many thanks one and all for the informative information, had I used my head to start with I wouldn't have wasted you guys time w/ your replies. I went to my local electrial supply house a bought 10 feet of 10/3 stranded wire ( $4.68 ). Removed the back panel of my "crackerbox" and removed the originial power cord, snipped the terminal ends off, stripped the wire on the old power cord and the new wire. Twisted the wires together, soldered all the connections, put new termanial ends on the new wire, connected back to the welder, put the back panel back on and I'm back in business. With the addition of the new wire on the power cord and my welding leads I can go out to 60 feet which is more than enough for any welding I want to do. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Thanks again for all the great info.

danny /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[MikeIA]

At work, I switched the welder outlets to 4-prong 50 amp range outlets. Then I built a 4-wire extension from 6/4 SO cable, that powers a 2-circuit breaker box, mounted on the welder cart.
A 3-wire outlet on the bottom is wired in parallel with the breaker box, to power the welder itself, and two 20 amp breakers power two duplex (grounded) outlets.
Now I have 20 amp outlets for the 9" grinder and other tools, right where I need them, no matter where I plug in the welder. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[fractal]

Couple of things.

1 - you can downsize the wire for a welder based on its duty cycle.

2 - You can buy plugs and jacks pretty cheap at home depot and other box stores.

3 - #10 is adequate for a buzz box extension cord up to 50 ft or so.

So, wait until you see a 50 ft extra heavy duty extension cord on sale at your local hardware store or box store. One that uses #10 wire. You can buy a 50 ft #10 extension cord for less than you or I can buy the wire. Cut the ends off and slap on the nema 5-50 plug and socket.

I happened to be driving down the road and saw one in the road that someone had dropped. It was beat up and the plugs on it were shot, but I tossed it in the back of the van and used it to make a welder extension cord.

I wouldn't use a #10 extension cord if I were using a 100% duty cycle welder, but for your basic buzz box that is rated at 20% at max capacity? I would do so without hesitation.

The one thing I can not stress enough is.. Don't make a 50 ft cord and wrap it tightly on a cord reel and just let off 6-8 ft to do the job. That is a recipie for disaster. Either use a shorter cord or unwrap the cord and lay loosly on the floor. The cord will get a tad warm and you don't want it melting into a gooey mess.

I figure you can buy the parts retail to make a 50 ft cord for under 50 bucks. A 25 ft cord will probably cost 40 bucks.