Power Question...

[goatgetter]

i recently purchased a HH180 and can't wait to get zappin' :gunsfirin

the input information from the rear of the welder is:

volts - 230
amperes - 19.5
phase - 1
hertz - 60

my only 250V outlet is a window air conditioner plug (243V on a 20A breaker). will this be an adequate power source?

...if the answer to the first part was yes than we can move to the real ordeal :confused:

i want to take a 100' extension cord that consists of:

AWG 10/3
STW
20A/125V
L5-20 plug/receptacle

i planned to remove the 120V locking ends and install a 6-50R and a 6-20p.

will this creation work safely for what i need? :help:

[mikeyr]

Theoretically the plug will work, 19.5 is awfully close to 20 and it might pop it when doing a lot of welding, a AC is not going to use the full 20 and the welder might.

For the cord, I will let a electrician answer that but my first thought is no way not big enough a guage wire. Again, I have no idea but it sure seems small to me, I did my extension cord with 6/3 from my welding shop.

[goatgetter]

...19.5 is awfully close to 20 and it might pop it when doing a lot of welding, a AC is not going to use the full 20 and the welder might... ...I did my extension cord with 6/3 from my welding shop.


i would think that the welder, would also not likely max out to 19.5A with normal/average use... of course i am not sure.

as far as the extension made of 6/3, i agree. ideally i would prefer to make one from 6/3 so that i would have an extension cord capable of holding 50A and be useful down the line if i upgrade my welder.

however, being more than triple the cost i might just squeak by with the 10/3 if it is safe to use with the current setup (paid $50 for the 100' extension). :D

[halbritt]

At 240VAC/20A the voltage drop on 100' of 10/3 is going to be about 4.8V or about 2%. I think 10/3 is more than acceptable for your application and that 6/3 would be a waste of money unless you really needed 50A service.

[Sandy]

my only 250V outlet is a window air conditioner plug (243V on a 20A breaker). will this be an adequate power source?

I'd sure want to verify that existing plug just one more time. Make sure that it's 12 awg at a minimum, home run, everything good and tight, not a bunch of wire changes and hokey splices. It'll be the biggest potential for the weak link.

I know it shoulda been wired for 20 amp-constant duty, but I just don't like using wire runs I didn't have a hand in running or know personally (so to speak).

Also guestimate the length of that run and add it into your voltage drop calcs.

[caosesvida]

i agree with you guys, don't forget the length of the run to the first outlet. It may be 100 feet already before you go with the new extension cord.

[goatgetter]

Also guestimate the length of that run and add it into your voltage drop calcs.


the distance from the wall mounted A/C unit is less than ten feet.. as far as the wire gauge and quality...??? i wish i was an electrical tech., but i am far from it and wouldn't know where to begin as far as assessing it's integrity.

..any suggestions?

..thnx again to all those that have taken the time to contribute thus far :drinkup:

[lucywalker]

that existing receptacle should not be used for indefinite ongoing duty- you need something that is rated for the continuous current of the welder. you might be able to get away with using it for a while but after you trip the breaker a few dozen times it probably will not hold in anymore. this is normal for home-grade breakers. for any longterm use plans, you would be better advised to run a 30 amp circuit to a convenient location and use the slot that the 20 amp 2 pole is in now for the new 30 amp breaker, run #10 or 8 wire to it and use a 30 amp receptacle. the #10 cord should be OK as long as the plug ends are in good shape. when these get damaged or corroded they will overheat and probably burn off the internal wiring or melt the plastic. most normal extension cords are not made for hard commercial /industrial duty. a typical industrial duty cord for this use would be high-stranded #8 wire for flexibility and durability, with twistlock ends so the connection pressure would stay high and maintain low connection resistance. expect to pay a few hundred bucks for this. if you are in commercial business with this unit it may be a good investment. if its for hobby or incidental use then the #10 will probably work for a while.

[caosesvida]

lucywalker, I agree with most of what you said, but home grade breaker, I don't. A square D QO breaker or a QB breaker are exactly the same internally. The same with CH breakers. Commercial use or home use it makes no difference with those brands.

[Hammack_Welding]

Just thought i would throw this in, I have several hundred feet of 10 AWG soow cable that I have been looking for a use for, so I called Lincoln electric the other day to talk to their service department about making up some extension cords for my two power mig 255's. They said anything under 100ft had to be atleast 10 gauge copper. It was even in the owners manual but i wanted to make sure from them. That way if something did cause a problem I would not be out on my warranties. The 255's are running off of a 60 amp breaker, and I welded some axles today at max voltage on one of the cords for quite a while and could tell not problems with the cords or plugs getting hot, or voltage dropping. So You should be fine for 10 awg for what you are doing. Good luck ~Jackson

[Madman Stephan]

Would there be any issues with the ground wire on this extension? What I mean is, could the ground be too far?