100' extension cord for Lincoln 175HD?

[KC10Chief]

I live in military housing so running 220V out to where I can weld is out of the question. So, I need to plug my Lincoln 175HD into my dryer outlet. I also have a big project (school bus conversion), and will need all the reach I can get. A 100' extension cord is what I need. But I am reading all sorts of different things on what to get. At Home Depot, they have a 100' 10ga 15amp cord that I can get for $73. It has the usual 115V plugs on it. Could I cut the ends off and put on some 220V plugs? I seriously doubt that I'll ever use this welder on the highest settings. From my searches on here, the consensus seems to think 10ga wire is okay. How about the 15amp rating? Is that only because of the plugs? I'm a dummy when it comes to electric stuff so try to keep it simple for me. I really need 100' of extension cord though. Thanks for any advice!
Matt

[imagineer]

The 175HD, being fed 230V will pull 20 amps (per the Lincoln specs).

Over 100', you can expect about a 2 - 3% voltage drop, which is going to push the amps being pulled by the welder up by a few amps.

Do you know what size breaker is on the dryer circuit? If its a 20 amp breaker, you'll most likely trip it.

[MoonRise]

Your 100 ft of #10AWG cord will be fine. Just like you thought, cut off the 115V plug and receptacle and install the appropriate 220/240V connectors.

The dryer circuit is most likely a 30A 220/240V breaker and circuit, just fine for that welder.

[KC10Chief]

Yep! The Dryer has a 30A breaker. I'm going to buy the 10ga cord soon unless I get a lot of reply's that say otherwise. Thanks!

[Opie]

Arent extension cords made from stranded wire?? Maybe thats why the amp rating is 15 amps.

Im not an electrician....Why not get some 10/2 or 8/2 romex and put the proper 230 volt ends on? Ive seen it done and plan on doing that myself.

[wannabe_welder]

For peace of mind, try this.

Wire size calculator (http://www.jhlarson.com/ind_tables/volt/calc_wiresize.htm)

[rookie]

wont say nothing about code or safety,will it work? yes it will.your meter will run a little faster but it will work.I had 10-3 with ground run from my house to garage which was 80 foot for 10 plus years with no problems.by no means am I a expert just telling you what I did.

[Clay Walters]

Its ashame these are so expensive

http://66.241.194.182/indextemplate.cfm?file=shop/detail.cfm&ID=799&SubCategory=155

Still, I'd be more comfortable with the larger wire for the longer runs even if only for the first 50 feet.

[Rick Moran]

10gauge wire is good to go with the 220V 1 phase/30A breaker. Not to worry. You're right (or mistaken) that they rated it for only 15A, probably because of the plugs.

[MoonRise]

Hey Opie,

Not a good idea to use a hunk of Romex (NM-B) wire to make an extension cord. The insulation isn't right for the abuse a cord will take, the solid wire is too thick to make an extension cord lay right and bend right and bend well at all, the outer insulation is most likely not UV resistant, the cable is not rated for wet/damp use, and the outer insulation jacket isn't thick enough to get proper strain-relief clamping from the end devices.

Use the proper tool for the job. In this case, a 100 ft commercial 10/3 extension cord with the origin connectors cut off and the appropriate 220/240V connectors installed is appropriate for the user's machine.

[Opie]

Hey Opie,

Not a good idea to use a hunk of Romex (NM-B) wire to make an extension cord. The insulation isn't right for the abuse a cord will take, the solid wire is too thick to make an extension cord lay right and bend right and bend well at all, the outer insulation is most likely not UV resistant, the cable is not rated for wet/damp use, and the outer insulation jacket isn't thick enough to get proper strain-relief clamping from the end devices.

Use the proper tool for the job. In this case, a 100 ft commercial 10/3 extension cord with the origin connectors cut off and the appropriate 220/240V connectors installed is appropriate for the user's machine.

Absolutely, get the right tool for the job.

[Clanweld]

Lower voltage equates to more wattage to get you the required amps (20 here), hence 115v will require a larger guage ext. cord for the same 20 amps as 230v would. 10 guage is fine for 230v 20a, and wannabe's calculater will confirm this. And usually the electric dryer breaker is 30a, just check. And NO Romex!! Gonna getcha into trouble with the uniforms, fire hazard and all. Good luck!!

[MoonRise]

Hey Opie,

Not a good idea to use a hunk of Romex (NM-B) wire to make an extension cord. The insulation isn't right for the abuse a cord will take, the solid wire is too thick to make an extension cord lay right and bend right and bend well at all, the ...


Arrrgh, stupid typo.

I meant to say "... the solid wire is too STIFF to make an extension cord lay right ..."

[jamlit]

Not sure of what size to use but you should find out the right size and then maybe go one size better. I have seen electrical equipment burn out from not getting enough power to run right.

[Patriot Performance]

I know this is a more expensive option. However I know I looked at Home Depot for heavy gauge service wire. They have spools you may purchase that are 8/2 and also I think they had 6/2. I know it a is a tad overkill. However 100' of wire does carry alot of resistance. Its been a long while since I knew all the formulas for electrical resistance over length. I just don't feel 10ga is heavy enough. Of course you are only running a 20a welder. I say give it a try, if anything you have a very nice extension cord for something else.

[wallythacker]

I thought stranded wire handled high currents better because of the skin effect? More surface area? No?

[bruceb]

No skin effects with 60Hz power...not high enough frequency.

The only people I have ever heard worry about skin effects are audiophiles. Even with that, skin effects is a term used by people buying Monster Cable trying to justify spending too much for wire.

[jeremydde]

I dunno about buying the 100 foot extension cord for welding. I have a 30ft extension cord for my mig and noticed immediately that the welder isn't performing as well as it does when it is plugged directly into the wall. If I were you I would make your own extension cord at a higher rating than 15amp to combat this problem.

[dirtracer27x]

ok im having a similiar problem.i have taken what you guys have said and have gone to lowes and purchased some 10/3(25ft) and receptacles.but when i got home i found out that the dryer uses a type of 4 prong plug.heres the link to what it looks like.this plug has 4 wires and my 175hd only has 3 as well as my cord i bought.what do i do with the other wire?lol im confused.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k318/mccraryfloors/220cord.jpg
how do i wire it up since there is 4 prongs?:confused: like i said im not a electrician,or a smart man.
i will go to lowes tommorow and try to find the right plug.thanks for the help.

[Sandy]

You aren't going to do anything with the fourth wire. :) Your dryer receptacle has rwo hots, a so-called neutral and a ground. Your welder will use the two hots and the ground. You've purchased some 3 wire 10 awg SO cord and some parts. What ends (parts) did you buy? :)

[dirtracer27x]

the guy at lowes gave me the plugs that will fit my welder,they had the same one on display.could you tell me what colors are what?:confused: