Arc Master185

[flatliner]

I'm probably gonna take the plunge and acquire a new Arc Master 185 AC/DC in the coming weeks. It will be used in my garage and I currently have average 100 amp service. What is needed for the welder? Do I need to upgrade to 200 amp service/ That's probably a little costly,huh? Is a separate box with a disconnect advised and how many amp breaker? Also, how much can I expect to pay for a qualified electrician to do the job? I know the last question is kind of subjective considering the location but how long in hours should it take? I'm pretty well versed mechanically (tool&die) but elctricity never was my gig, if I can't see it I don't dick with it...Thanks.

[Doolittle]

Well, it depends on how you go about doing it. A breaker box should never total over the rating (total of all breakers = 100a). But, you could easily run it.. 30amps is more than sufficient for that welder so I would look for an open 2 ganger opening and plug one in, run yourself some 3 wire 6 gauge, and you should be good to go. Just dont run a bunch of stuff at the same time.. like run your welder and dryer/stove/furnace/airconditioner.. Be frugal with the power while welding. You can trip the breakers not needed just to be safe (what will happen, if you over load is trip the main breaker, I would excersize the mains just to make sure it doesnt stick on you).

Now then, Im not a certified electrician, and I dont want you burning the house down cause of some un informed advise from me. I just want you to know that it can be done, and be done safe if you use your head.

Now then, the ideal thing, would be to have another service run to your shop/garage/workroom. With only 100a available, I would opt to have another 100a (Id want a 200 amp service with the possiblility of 3 phase) run to your work area. If you have the dough, this is the safest way to go.

If you are nervous, Id definately get yourself a certified electrician. He will advise you on a new panel Im sure.

[Brand X]

Your 100 amp service will be fine if you have room in the box.
A 30 amp breaker will be fine. If you do a lot of stick with the hot start set to
70 amps you might want a 40 amp breaker. I have a 90 and a 30 amp breaker and never needed the larger one.

The Arc master 185 is one of the finest welders in it's class. Nobody on this planet can tell me any different either. I really gave the Invertec 205 t a work out at home and really test drove the snot out of the Dynasty 200 at my LWS. I finally had my friend at Airgas break break out a Arcmaster 185 and I bought that one on the spot. It welds as nice as my Thermal TSW 300 (smooth as silk) That really shocked me from welding with the earlier model TA-185. (four years ago +machine) I tried my very best to like the Dynasty 200 but, It just does not do it for me. Other people have no real issues with dynasty models. I was getting the Dynasty for a killer price too but it was not enough to change my mind. I welded with more then one of them too. It's great if you really need a 120 volt ac machine, but I already have a DC 120/230 volt Thermal Peewee 160 TS, so no reason to buy something like a dynasty or Lincoln. There are people that just have to have that option and then those other machines make lot's of sense.

[David R]

I don't think mine has ever drawn over 30 amps. It WILL put out 200 on DC tig. I can't measure it on AC with unbalnaced wave, my equipment is not that good. I think you are safe using stick on full tilt because of the duty cycle. I have never had the thermal light or shutdown. I can get the fan to run on high under hard use.

Your gonna Love it!
David

[bruceb]

It is standard practice for the breakers in a box to add up to more than what the box is rated for.

The manual states 230V@30A for TIG and 230V@34A for Stick.

I had to add 220 in my garage so I just added two 50A outlets with breakers(One for other uses if needed). The plug that comes with the unit is a 50A style plug.

[flatliner]

Thanks to everyone who contributed. Your advice definitely enlightened me . Now I can make an informed decision regarding both safety and practicality. I just didn't want to be welding and smell smoke from the house where my daughter was blow drying her hair, heating up pop-tarts, doing laundry, microwaving "xyz", yada,yada,etc.