welding supplies II

newbury · Jun 22, 2014

Arc weld said:
I don't know how to add a link but just google Weldmark helmets. I believe they have clips for installing a cheater lens. The kits for converting plugs might not be readily available because of safety issues. Running a 50 amp machine off 30 or 40 amp capacity wiring could cause a lot of problems.

Yeah, I think I found the one you wrote about:
Welder to Dryer Plug Conversion Cord for $75. This a.m. it was linked off Amazon.

And I realize that it's not proper to constantly run a 50 amp machine off a 30 amp circuit. But from my readings it's like remembering to keep within the speed limit. If I don't turn the PA 300 all the way up I shouldn't make the CB's flip. And if they do I should be prepared to go elsewhere.

Like I've written elsewhere on TBN my primary planned place of use will be at my workshop in Mississippi where I've got 400 amp service and presently 8 circuits wired for 50 amps 240V (plus a 12KW PTO generator at 50 amps). But I've 4 other sites I own that are not blessed with that variety.

Furu said:
I was trying to figure out if this line of the thread is a search for plugs of different NEMA standards or a search for a kit that would allow a near infinite combination of adapters for all the 240 volt NEMA plugs.

Search for a kit to allow me to use any of the receptacles I listed w/ a 6-50 plug. I used to travel frequently in Europe and Korea and had an "adapter" bag that allowed me to use the power in most of those countries, and that was usually 220/240V, just much lower amperage.

Furu said:
As was stated in a previous post the plugs in many/most cases are rated at different amps thus the different configurations to insure that folks do not improperly plug a 240 appliance into the wrong rated line/receptacle. In addition, there was a code change several years back where 240 plugs had to have a ground and common for house appliances accessible receptacles. (just go buy a new dryer and they will ask you when your house was built so they can configure the dryer with the correct power cord.) You will not find (IMO) a combo kit that will allow you to switch compatibility from a 30 to 40 to 50 amp receptacles and 50 amp with common to 50 amp w/o common, for liability as well as safety reasons.

If the search is for the plug/receptacles then I find the Leviton brand is quite easily available in many places. Try HD, Lowes or your local hardware store. They are easy to install. If you want to make an 18-24 inch pigtail buy some 6 or 8 gauge wire, the desired plug and receptacle and a box and make your own. Normally 50 amps require 6 gauge wire. There is a code allowance for a welder but this is only a pigtail so plan accordingly. Do not go smaller gauge than 8 gauge. You can do it for about $25 total. For some reason plugs are a good bit more expensive than receptacles. The first time or two that I visited SA we had to remove my plug off my welder cord and put a different one on, so I made a pigtail adapter to avoid it and now I have a 50 amp rated pigtail that can be used to convert and avoid the plug swap.

Many of the Leviton plugs even are capable of dual ratings by how you insert the prongs.
For example Leviton makes one plug that is a 30/50 amp dual power plug 14-30P/14-50P.

If I have misunderstood the parameters of the search then ignore what I have posted.

No, you pretty well nailed that issue. And I've used the Leviton brand frequently for 120V. I didn't know if they were a "good" mfg of 240V equipment.
And I've been looking at "adapters" like described here. /edit - except with thicker wire!