Can I re-link 460/575 to 200/230?

[welderplus]

Here's the deal. I bought 2 used Millermatic 350p welders today but need to convert for use in my garage. Tag on the back reads phase 1 & 3 but volts read 460/575(I wasn't aware that there was such a thing as 460 single phase). So these units do not have the PC6 relinking boards that you can easily move from 460V receptacle to 230V receptacle. Anything I can do to convert this unit over to single phase 230V? Thanks in advance!

[MinnesotaDave]

They are available in two different versions.
See the caution at the bottom of this listing:

[welderplus]

Thanks. Guess the trick is soldering now. Will compare a 230v miller to make sure I have correct relay and conductors.

[welderplus]

Here's the layout. If you zoom in you'll see a spot open for 230v. Was hoping to utilize that. Guess I'm out of luck then?

[duaneb55]

What Steve (7A749) said.

Bottom line you've got the following basic choices:
1) Sell the units and buy a 230V version.
2) Buy a minimum 13kva 230V/460V transformer for your shop.
3) Replace several big $$$ components (input power cord/plug, control x-former T2, AC input power cap C1, DC input power caps C3 & C4, circuit card PC1 and circuit card PC2 on first glance).
4) Buy a big $$$ 460V generator.

Should be pretty easy to figure out which one(s) is(are) the most logical for your preference.

[welderplus]

Thanks duaneb55. That pretty much answers my question. Guess I'll be buying a generator(yeah right!)

[soutthpaw]

Now you know why you got such a "good deal" on them.

[Meltedmetal]

Ask your local electrician. He/She should be able to fix you up with a transformer.---Meltedmetal

[Gravel]

Ask your local electrician. He/She should be able to fix you up with a transformer.---Meltedmetal

Yep. They can be expensive unless you know someone. I got a 5kva for free from my electrician.

[Meltedmetal]

http://www.temcoindustrialpower.com/...al/AT1052.html
Something like this I guess? That's new, should be able to be had cheaper used.---Meltedmetal

Federal-Pacific in copper is cheaper.---Mm
http://www.temcoindustrialpower.com/...al/FT2035.html

Nope my mistake I linked to the wrong voltages.---Mm
More like this http://www.temcoindustrialpower.com/...al/T51474.html
Anyway consult a electrician.--Mm

[Gravel]

You also want to be sure you get a LOW to HIGH voltage transformer.

Generally FAR less available, and usually more expensive than high to low counterparts.

You can reverse feed them, but the KVA rating on the low voltage side has to be within range of the machine's demand, or you're gonna have problems. With the amount of power a welder on average draws, it's prolly not gonna work. It also changes things running them in reverse, it's not necessarily going to produce the same power in reverse as it does being connected properly. Now, I'm not an electrician but simple math says you need a certain amount of VA to power a respective circuit requiring such. I've done some reading on it and most of what I've read says get the correct transformer for the application. Don't fudge it. Electricity can kill you and burn your shop/house to the ground in the process.

Even if it seems to match up, it's not really accepted safe practice to do so. Best off making sure you find one with a high voltage Volt Amp rating that matches that of the machine it's powering.

I got this for a project. I'm not hooking up a 575v welder.

[Gravel]

No, I'm just speaking in general, mainly for the OP.

I've seen it discussed before and thought I would mention what I've read on it.

one of these days I'll finish that project.

[Norcal01]

Sell them or buy a transformer, 480V to 240V (230 & 460 are specialty transformer voltages) transformers are common & most can be reverse fed but needs to be verified. Because transformers are heavy shipping costs for long distances can be high, so look close to home.

[welderplus]

Thanks to all for your help! I have no regrets buying the machines(used one of them in a shop today). The non-working machine may be a cheap fix(found a contactor not working) so a steal at $300 if that's all it is. The reason I bought them was because on the tab in the back of the welder it read phase 1 & 3 so I was hoping(but knew I was taking a chance) I could convert it to a 230v. Still doesn't make sense to me why it would say PH 1 & 3 if it runs only on 460v/575v.

[Norcal01]

Thanks to all for your help! I have no regrets buying the machines(used one of them in a shop today). The non-working machine may be a cheap fix(found a contactor not working) so a steal at $300 if that's all it is. The reason I bought them was because on the tab in the back of the welder it read phase 1 & 3 so I was hoping(but knew I was taking a chance) I could convert it to a 230v. Still doesn't make sense to me why it would say PH 1 & 3 if it runs only on 460v/575v.

480 & 600 volts are used for single phase loads also. 460 & 575 volts are the rated voltage, supply voltage is 480 & 600V.

[ccawgc]

Might want to find a line matching auto transformer. They go both ways and can be adjusted in smaller steps so line voltage stays up with loads. I am in a 208 building and have two different transformers so I have both 230 and 460 volts for testing welders. They are connected to a 200 amp service. Gives me about 100 amps 230 volts and 90amp of 460 volts. Just enough to test one big welder at a time. I can get 1400 weld amp most days and 1500 after hours. Just long enough for a few tests. So go find an industrial electrician and ask for help. Home electricians don't know a lot about transformers and 460 power.