electrician....please step inside.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
electrician....please step inside.
I need to use my arc welder in a location that is about 20 feet from where the nearest outlet is. im thinking the easiest way would be to make a "extension cord" that would allow me to move the welder where needed. I went to lowes to get some cable, but all they had was some hard casing type of 220 cable.
ive seen something softer, much more flexible before. Can anyone direct me in what im looking/asking for at the next hardware store.
thanks!
ive seen something softer, much more flexible before. Can anyone direct me in what im looking/asking for at the next hardware store.
thanks!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
Its a small 160 amp portable arc welder. outlet is/was used for a in window AC unit (pretty good size)
i think i might have to change the breaker....just wondering what type/size wiring is on other side of wall. i can run a new breaker off the box if needed....but still wont reach where needed.
i think i might have to change the breaker....just wondering what type/size wiring is on other side of wall. i can run a new breaker off the box if needed....but still wont reach where needed.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 331
Likes: 1
To properly answer this question you need to give us the full load rating of you welder. Not know that and assuming its a 220 volt single phase unit thats common in home use, I would say you need to look at the cable thats on the welder and duplicate the wire size. The cable probably says something like ( 10/3 SJ) or 8/3 SOOW these are cord sizes and ratings. the numbers 10 & 8 are american wire guage sizes and indicate how much load (amps) the cable can carry. Any electrical supply house or hardware store can order you some cord. Just take them the numbers off the cord and order enough to extend the welder to where you want it.
Here is a link to a web site that has several examples of cord. you can buy this stuff by the ft. at a comercial electrical supply house so the cost is much less than the roll prices here.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg...ch&L1=Cords%2C
20 ft. of this should do. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg...mId=1612955667
Here is a link to a web site that has several examples of cord. you can buy this stuff by the ft. at a comercial electrical supply house so the cost is much less than the roll prices here.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg...ch&L1=Cords%2C
20 ft. of this should do. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg...mId=1612955667
Last edited by L Holmes; Apr 6, 2007 at 08:09 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: Naperville IL
chances are the wire in the wall was sized to the breaker because it starts getting expensive when you go that big, so you don't want to just change the breaker unless you really know what's in there.
they do sell heavy appliance cord at home depot and lowes too, but don't count on the floor guys to know what it is. The welder I have(105 amp) actually came with an 8' 14ga cord, I wanted to replace it with a 30' 10/3 cable and the guy at the store kept trying to give me UF romex, which is solid conductor. I don't remember exactly but I think it was between $1-1.50 a foot.
they do sell heavy appliance cord at home depot and lowes too, but don't count on the floor guys to know what it is. The welder I have(105 amp) actually came with an 8' 14ga cord, I wanted to replace it with a 30' 10/3 cable and the guy at the store kept trying to give me UF romex, which is solid conductor. I don't remember exactly but I think it was between $1-1.50 a foot.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
OK, this is simple:
you need to weld on something 20' from the Arc Welder...
get some 20' ground and stinger cable, problem solved.
if you can't find it I may be able to help you out.
you need to weld on something 20' from the Arc Welder...
get some 20' ground and stinger cable, problem solved.
if you can't find it I may be able to help you out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
you should be able to find some #12 or #10 extension cord type wire. It might even be easier to cut up a cheap extension cord.
Since its not a built in you don't need to follow any electrical code.
Rarely do i ever go past the 120 amp setting on my welder and it works fine for me.
Since its not a built in you don't need to follow any electrical code.
Rarely do i ever go past the 120 amp setting on my welder and it works fine for me.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 613
Likes: 2
From: West Central Florida
First - The size of the breaker is the MOST amperage you should try to get from the receptacle.
Second - The cable on the welder is the longest it can be for the max rated power. Any longer and you fry your welder or trip your breaker.
Third - You CAN use an extension cord if it is of sufficient size to carry the extra current PER FOOT that is required beyond the welders cord rating.
That said, Yellow Jacket brand RV power cords are made for heavy loads with as much as 100+ amps capacity for 100ft cord. Shorter and lower capacity cords can also be found. I think ACE Hardware carries them. Get the right ends for it and make your own extension keeping as short as you can for your needs. These are very flexible.
Second - The cable on the welder is the longest it can be for the max rated power. Any longer and you fry your welder or trip your breaker.
Third - You CAN use an extension cord if it is of sufficient size to carry the extra current PER FOOT that is required beyond the welders cord rating.
That said, Yellow Jacket brand RV power cords are made for heavy loads with as much as 100+ amps capacity for 100ft cord. Shorter and lower capacity cords can also be found. I think ACE Hardware carries them. Get the right ends for it and make your own extension keeping as short as you can for your needs. These are very flexible.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
First - The size of the breaker is the MOST amperage you should try to get from the receptacle.
Second - The cable on the welder is the longest it can be for the max rated power. Any longer and you fry your welder or trip your breaker.
Third - You CAN use an extension cord if it is of sufficient size to carry the extra current PER FOOT that is required beyond the welders cord rating.
That said, Yellow Jacket brand RV power cords are made for heavy loads with as much as 100+ amps capacity for 100ft cord. Shorter and lower capacity cords can also be found. I think ACE Hardware carries them. Get the right ends for it and make your own extension keeping as short as you can for your needs. These are very flexible.
Second - The cable on the welder is the longest it can be for the max rated power. Any longer and you fry your welder or trip your breaker.
Third - You CAN use an extension cord if it is of sufficient size to carry the extra current PER FOOT that is required beyond the welders cord rating.
That said, Yellow Jacket brand RV power cords are made for heavy loads with as much as 100+ amps capacity for 100ft cord. Shorter and lower capacity cords can also be found. I think ACE Hardware carries them. Get the right ends for it and make your own extension keeping as short as you can for your needs. These are very flexible.
2)Wrong. Longer leads must be larger gauge to compensate for distance.
3)Not familiar with that product. Does it have aa size/temp rating?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
The Yellow jacket stuff is Marine/Rv cable and is good but ridiculously expensive. I made may own for the generator we need here for hurricanes, and I think it's around $4.00/ft. A 100 amp molded ext cord would cost you moire than a good welder.
Extending the welding leads is the other option, but it can be crazy expensive too. 15 ft leads are good for average welders if your machine is on wheels with an extension cord. If your're a rig welder, then you can go with long welding leads,but you also have the welder to back it up. You will only find the good stuff at a welding supply and it has on average 400 strands to make it very flexible.
Makes great battery cables too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Look at the power system grid. The same principle applies. The bulk power is transmitted at 345, 500, and 1000 kv not 13kv
Just wire it up with an extension cord from a discount store. If it gets hot use bigger wire. You can tell if its hot by the smoke.
Last edited by turtlevette; Apr 6, 2007 at 11:40 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
QUOTE=turtlevette;1559709603]The cable would cost more than the whole welder. The secondary side voltage is probably 10-20 volts which won't support the rated current over a 30+ foot distance. The expensive ones on the truck have some extra boost.I understand that. Cost was not mentioned. Nothing wrong with versatility.
Look at the power system grid. The same principle applies. The bulk power is transmitted at 345, 500, and 1000 kv not 13kv
I know that, and you know I know that. I have done this both ways. It's just how the guy wants it.
Just wire it up with an extension cord from a discount store. If it gets hot use bigger wire. You can tell if its hot by the smoke.[/QUOTE]
Your killin me here
Look at the power system grid. The same principle applies. The bulk power is transmitted at 345, 500, and 1000 kv not 13kv
I know that, and you know I know that. I have done this both ways. It's just how the guy wants it.Just wire it up with an extension cord from a discount store. If it gets hot use bigger wire. You can tell if its hot by the smoke.[/QUOTE]
Your killin me here
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
#12 or #10 awg wire is NOT large enough for what you want to do. You probably want to use #8 or #6 multi-strand wiring (so that it is flexible). You might be able to find some you can afford at a salvage yard. With the cost of copper now, a new 20' long, 220v w/ground #8 wire won't be cheap.