 110v Welder Q, extension cords? |
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| tat2dphreak |
 Jul 17 2005, 02:02 PM
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#1
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stoya, stoya, stoya  Group: Benefactors Posts: 8,797 Joined: 6-June 03 From: Wylie, TX Member No.: 792 Region Association: Southwest Region   |
my garage isn't exactly built to weld in (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif) the only plug is in the ceiling and the cord to the welder doesn't reach... what extension cords are Safe to use with a welder? I don't want to blow a breaker, I don't even know where the fuse box is, and I don't think the apartments would take it too kindly...
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| TravisNeff |
Jul 17 2005, 02:05 PM
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#2
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,082 Joined: 20-March 03 From: Mesa, AZ Member No.: 447 Region Association: Southwest Region 
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Go to home depot or lowes and get the heaviest guage extension cord they have. If you keep the length shorter that will help as well.
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| John |
Jul 17 2005, 02:12 PM
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#3
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member? what's a member? Group: Members Posts: 3,393 Joined: 30-January 04 From: Evansville, IN (SIRPCA) Member No.: 1,615 Region Association: None |
What is the input Amp requirement for the welder? Chances are if you are using a ceiling outlet (meant for a garage door opener or lights), the breaker is too small to do much welding. IIRC most wire feed welders require a 20A breaker. Most lighting circuits are less than that.
Definaltely keep any extension cord as short as possible with as large guage wire as is reasonable. If it is a ceiling outlet, you shouldn't need much more than a 10 foot cord. How will you keep that plugged in with the weight of the cord hanging from it? You may need to tie it to the outlet. Good luck and try not to burn the place down. |
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| Flat VW |
Jul 17 2005, 02:16 PM
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#4
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Illegal Soapbox Derby Racecar Group: Members Posts: 1,692 Joined: 13-November 04 From: Phoenix, AZ Member No.: 3,105 |
A washing machine receptacle is 110V and should be a dedicated circuit. John (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/burnout.gif) |
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| John |
Jul 17 2005, 02:19 PM
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#5
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member? what's a member? Group: Members Posts: 3,393 Joined: 30-January 04 From: Evansville, IN (SIRPCA) Member No.: 1,615 Region Association: None |
I agree, but he mentioned using the ceiling outlet in an apartment garage, not a laundry room. |
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| tat2dphreak |
Jul 17 2005, 02:30 PM
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#6
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stoya, stoya, stoya Group: Benefactors Posts: 8,797 Joined: 6-June 03 From: Wylie, TX Member No.: 792 Region Association: Southwest Region |
if the garage was right next to the apt I would just use a longer cord, but that's not going to work...
I have tripped the surge protector in this garage with a fan, radio, shop vac running, and the air compressor kicked on, causing the surge protector to need a reset... I'll run by Lowes and get a HEAVY 10' cord and hope for the best... I'll do it on a day the maintenance people are here though, in case the breaker goes... alternatively, I'll get everything else done, get the bitch back on the road, then take it to a friend's house and use his garage... he wired a new 220, and 2 110s dedicated for his garage... it sounds like that may be a smarter move... what do you guys think? btw, it's 2 small 4"x6" holes in the long, 1 - 4"x8" hole in the floor board and like 3 other small places, including 1 of the seat hinges... not a lot of welding at all... and I'm sure it would be safe to drive short distances... just no passenger seat (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif) |
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| Flat VW |
Jul 17 2005, 02:31 PM
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#7
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Illegal Soapbox Derby Racecar Group: Members Posts: 1,692 Joined: 13-November 04 From: Phoenix, AZ Member No.: 3,105 |
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| 914GT |
Jul 17 2005, 02:44 PM
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#8
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,100 Joined: 11-October 04 From: Tucson Member No.: 2,923 Region Association: Southwest Region |
It would be best to pick an existing outlet that has the shortest run of wire (#12) to the circuit breaker panel. Better yet is to wire a dedicated 20A circuit and use a wire gauge appropriate for the load and distance from the breaker panel. For an extension cord I made my own from 50' of #10 3-conductor stranded. I could not find any cords from Home Depot with heavy enough gauge wire. They look thick but it's mostly insulation. The 110V welders will give you trouble at the high current settings when using an undersized extension cord and too much house wiring. As soon as the arc begins the voltage drops at the welder. This messes up the arc as well as causes the wire feed motor to stall. The arc goes out, the voltage pops back up and the process repeats itself. Then you get a crappy weld and blame it on the welder. To be sure you don't have a voltage drop problem you can measure the line voltage at the welder while you are welding (or have someone monitor it). The voltage should not drop more than about 10% the nominal line voltage.
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| tat2dphreak |
Jul 17 2005, 03:44 PM
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#9
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stoya, stoya, stoya Group: Benefactors Posts: 8,797 Joined: 6-June 03 From: Wylie, TX Member No.: 792 Region Association: Southwest Region |
and how do you measure the line voltage at the welder ?
running a new line isn't an option in an apartment I have no idea what the breaker situation is like for the garage... it may suck and all 4 garages in the group run off 1 circuit. or it may have a 20A dedicated to each garage... no idea either way. |
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| BIGKAT_83 |
Jul 17 2005, 04:23 PM
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#10
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,798 Joined: 25-January 03 From: Way down south Bogart,GA Member No.: 194 Region Association: South East States 
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Motorhomes and trailers use heavy gauge extension cords for the AC power. You might be able to find one at a RV supply place.
Bob (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif) |
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| cooltimes |
Jul 17 2005, 04:44 PM
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#11
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,508 Joined: 18-May 04 Member No.: 2,081 Region Association: None |
I think you said somewhere you are using a MIG welder and welding on 914 sheet metal. Since it looks like if you do it in the apartment garage overhead light receptable using an extention cord, remove the light and screw in an adaptor you can plug the extention cord into. Hope the existing light outside the garage is ok but when you buzz the metal, that is all the light you need anyhow. I suggest you lower the welders amps with the amp selector wheel and try lowest amperage to weld with. Boost it up only if the wire is sticking and not burning thru the metal.
2nd suggestion is go to a friend who has a wall receptable, lots of light and weld. Take 6 pack and make a party of it. Even more fun if that friend is opposite sex and goes bananas after 1 beer, the heat from the welder makes it too hot to stay fully clothed while wanting to help you weld until you finish even if it takes all night. My .02 worth of help ain't much but sometimes it does help. LOL Warning. Nearing 70 years makes your imagination soar even without beer so drive in the fast lane while you can. Mike Cooley Memphis |
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| 914GT |
Jul 17 2005, 05:15 PM
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#12
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,100 Joined: 11-October 04 From: Tucson Member No.: 2,923 Region Association: Southwest Region |
If there's a duplex outlet on the end of the extension cord where the welder is plugged in, stick the leads of an AC voltmeter into the spare outlet. Otherwise you'll have to touch the leads to the prongs right where it's plugged in. If the voltage never dips below 105V or so while welding you are OK (assumes your line voltage normally about 120V). If it drops below 100 then your welder may give you some problems. |
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| TravisNeff |
Jul 17 2005, 05:32 PM
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#13
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,082 Joined: 20-March 03 From: Mesa, AZ Member No.: 447 Region Association: Southwest Region
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Home depot does have 10G extension cords, if not then Lowes will definately have it. You can also get wire and build your own with recepticals. 20A will be for full power on that welder - which you will most likely be under that amount. At this point it doesn't hurt to try, otherwise you are going to have to figure out alternate power.
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| tat2dphreak |
Jul 17 2005, 06:03 PM
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#14
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stoya, stoya, stoya Group: Benefactors Posts: 8,797 Joined: 6-June 03 From: Wylie, TX Member No.: 792 Region Association: Southwest Region |
cool guys! I may give it a try with some 10Ga. home depot ext. cord... and see what happens...
with this stuff the welder says it needs to be on the lowest voltage setting (22 ga.) and the next highest up(16ga.) it's a Lincoln Pro-mig 135... worst that can happen is I blow a breaker, right? do you think the light bulb receptacle will carry more power than the ceiling plug? |
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| cooltimes |
Jul 17 2005, 07:20 PM
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#15
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,508 Joined: 18-May 04 Member No.: 2,081 Region Association: None |
I misread your initial extention wire plug in location. It's not a light bulb socket as I thought, huh!
If it is a receptable that you normally would plug a cord into, you will probably get the same standard voltage and amps limits as one that's plugged into a circuit in any room, there in the garage, across town or across the USA. American Standard rules. The Lincoln I own needs support of at least a 15 amp fuses on 110V. At least it says on the front panel of my Lincoln model 100, it does. As you said, the worst that would happen is a breaker would kick. If that happens. wait and use a buddy's garage. BTW, You are going to be stitch welding so the amount of heat generated would be in a stacatto fashion, off on off on, etc. which allows it to cool between punches on the trigger. MHO is try it. Mike |
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| redshift |
Jul 17 2005, 07:29 PM
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#16
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Bless the Hell out of you! Group: Members Posts: 10,926 Joined: 29-June 03 Member No.: 869 |
With your tongue. If you stick the wire to your tongue, and then you don't remember how you got wherever you are, there is voltage present. M |
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| tat2dphreak |
Jul 17 2005, 07:44 PM
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#17
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stoya, stoya, stoya Group: Benefactors Posts: 8,797 Joined: 6-June 03 From: Wylie, TX Member No.: 792 Region Association: Southwest Region |
all right... I'll rock and roll to lowes or Home Depot tommorrow (or see if Harbot Freight has some ?) and get on it... I cut a big hole in my floor today, and backed out to ask the question... it was getting to freaking hot anyway! 95 by noon!
thanks guys! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beer.gif) |
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| sean_v8_914 |
Jul 17 2005, 11:33 PM
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#18
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Chingon 601 Group: Members Posts: 4,011 Joined: 1-February 05 From: San Diego Member No.: 3,541 |
measure the V-drop before you weld on your car.
914GTs suggestion. |
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| tat2dphreak |
Jul 18 2005, 07:42 AM
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#19
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stoya, stoya, stoya Group: Benefactors Posts: 8,797 Joined: 6-June 03 From: Wylie, TX Member No.: 792 Region Association: Southwest Region |
will do. Harbor freight has the meters for like $5... can't beat it. |
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| tat2dphreak |
Jul 18 2005, 10:01 AM
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#20
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stoya, stoya, stoya Group: Benefactors Posts: 8,797 Joined: 6-June 03 From: Wylie, TX Member No.: 792 Region Association: Southwest Region |
ok, the welder is this one: a Lincoln pro-mig 135
it says to need 20A now if I am welding on the lowest setting, will that make a difference? |
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