Author Topic: Need Elictrical Guru...another cheap welder adventure! (Read 3757 times)

CTENG in KS · « **on:** Aug 05, 2006, 07:59:37 PM »

SO...
I got myself a 120A AC buzz box from HF for the grand total of: $68.
You can see why I couldn't pass this up. It got here today!

CTENG in KS · « **Reply #1 on:** Aug 05, 2006, 08:01:02 PM »

It can be wored for either 110 or 220 depending onyour service...so they don't send it with a plug installed...or a plug.

CTENG in KS · « **Reply #2 on:** Aug 05, 2006, 08:03:41 PM »

This was upsetting until I heard a little voice from the corner...it was the old HF flux core welder I haden't thrown out yet wispering, "you can use my plug." So I did.
Boy did I not have a clue what I was doing. When I finally got it to hold an arc, all I got was birdsh!t and it felt like there was way too little current.

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #3 on:** Aug 05, 2006, 08:04:40 PM »

didnt get any instructions

CTENG in KS · « **Reply #4 on:** Aug 05, 2006, 08:06:36 PM »

Then, after about two minutes my brain kicked in and I figured it out. I wasn't pushing the rod at the arc anywhere near fast enough. Well then I was off to the races, for 10 seconds...then the lights went out.

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #5 on:** Aug 05, 2006, 08:07:05 PM »

what kind of rod are you using?? you will NOT have enough current to run a 7018

get some 6011 in a 3/32 or 1/8

DTB · « **Reply #6 on:** Aug 05, 2006, 08:07:43 PM »

hmmmm....guess that's what u get for 68 bucks. does it come with wiring instructions at least? doesnt seem too safe to wire something like that unless your a certified electrician

CTENG in KS · « **Reply #7 on:** Aug 05, 2006, 08:10:06 PM »

It appears that I have thrown the breaker on my apt garage...this ended my night as have no idea where the box is located. So my quandry is this: the welder is rated for 16A draw, I have no idea what the garage is on, I was guessing 15-16A service. Is there anything I can do in terms of wiring, cords, etc, to get this welder to work without blowing the breakers, or do I have to go beg the office to install better wiring in my garage?

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #8 on:** Aug 05, 2006, 08:10:46 PM »

it worked, but if he is running a 7018 thats why he is

CTENG in KS · « **Reply #9 on:** Aug 05, 2006, 08:11:39 PM »

I was using the 6013 rods that came with it, they went really quick. I have a box of 6011 on the way, but it didn't get delivered with the welder. Imagine that.

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #10 on:** Aug 05, 2006, 08:15:14 PM »

Quote from: CTENG in KS on Aug 05, 2006, 08:10:06 PM

It appears that I have thrown the breaker on my apt garage...this ended my night as have no idea where the box is located. So my quandry is this: the welder is rated for 16A draw, I have no idea what the garage is on, I was guessing 15-16A service. Is there anything I can do in terms of wiring, cords, etc, to get this welder to work without blowing the breakers, or do I have to go beg the office to install better wiring in my garage?

you'll need to wire it as a 220, you get more voltage with less amperage so the wiring in your apartment doesnt smoke

and what rod were you using??

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #11 on:** Aug 05, 2006, 08:16:29 PM »

do you have a dryer plug ??

jimbo74 · « **Reply #12 on:** Aug 05, 2006, 08:17:01 PM »

it depends on what guage wiring is used through the apt..... if its overkill wiring, you can jsut pull the breaker in the box and replace it, but if you dont know the wiring guage, then dont mess with it, because the breaker will handle it, but if the wire doesnt, you could get fried wiring, and that results in fire of jsut skewed wiring and cant find whats wrong with it, as you would literally have to tear it all out and replace it

CTENG in KS · « **Reply #13 on:** Aug 05, 2006, 08:23:22 PM »

Perhaps if I turn it down a bit? It doesn't really tell how much you are drawing, it just has that large knob on the front.

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #14 on:** Aug 05, 2006, 08:29:23 PM »

yea i wouldnt run it more than 70%

how far is it from your apartment??

if not too far get a 12 gauge extension cord and run it to a utility room plug they are usually 20-25 amp 110

CTENG in KS · « **Reply #15 on:** Aug 05, 2006, 08:38:17 PM »

That would be a LOOOOOONG cord.

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #16 on:** Aug 05, 2006, 08:41:05 PM »

Quote from: CTENG in KS on Aug 05, 2006, 08:38:17 PM

That would be a LOOOOOONG cord.

$I\'m Down$ that sucks

well going to bed

brainlessfool · « **Reply #17 on:** Aug 05, 2006, 08:42:20 PM »

get a big gas fired gen. one that will run your welder. it will cost about 700-1100, butt hey look at all the $$ ya saved with the welder!

BLACKDOG · « **Reply #18 on:** Aug 05, 2006, 11:05:24 PM »

CTENG, it seems as if the best option for you is seriously a generator. HF looks like they have some decent ones for 500-700 bucks that could prolly do exactly what you need.

freds40 · « **Reply #19 on:** Aug 05, 2006, 11:27:48 PM »

Pull the outlet in the garage you are using and see what guage wire they used. My guess is 14 guage and it's probably on a 15 amp breaker. 14 guage is good up to 15 amps. You need 12 guage to cover 20 amps. If you have 12 guage, swap the breaker and be done with it. Another option is check the panel and find a 20 amp circuit (hopefully for an outlet) and run a 12 guage power cord off it.

BTW, if your garage was properly wired, you should be looking for a GFI outlet to reset rather than a breaker. It could be on a GFI breaker but they are pricey and most contractors will save the cash on a GFI breaker and go with a GFI recepticle.

CTENG in KS · « **Reply #20 on:** Aug 06, 2006, 06:57:20 AM »

Thanks for all the advice...I don't know if I have access to the breaker panel, It may be in the maintenance building which is locked. I will look around into the generator deal.

CTENG in KS · « **Reply #21 on:** Aug 06, 2006, 07:16:11 AM »

quick look at generators and I am seeing most have 110 and 220 outlets...
anyone have any experience with how large a generator to run a small welder?

Willy Mammoth · « **Reply #22 on:** Aug 06, 2006, 09:51:25 AM »

Save your money and get an onboard welder. You can use it anywhere you want and you don't need a generator. In fact it is a generator.

I just spent $835.95 for mine.

http://www.premierpowerwelder.com/index2.html

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #23 on:** Aug 06, 2006, 10:18:30 AM »

CTENG in KS · « **Reply #24 on:** Aug 06, 2006, 11:04:53 AM »

Thats a great idea for those of use who have reliably running trucks. But what about me?

Willy Mammoth · « **Reply #25 on:** Aug 06, 2006, 03:04:12 PM »

Well? if you don't, that should be your first priority shouldn't it? Or just get a 5 hp go cart engine to turn the alt.

How many outlets do you have in the garage? If you can find two that have the power leg on separate buss bars, you could tap into them to get 220v. But this is not recommender or code. If there is a problem you will need to hide any signs of doing this to avoid getting in trouble for burning down your garage.

CTENG in KS · « **Reply #26 on:** Aug 06, 2006, 03:16:41 PM »

I have 1 outlet.

CTENG in KS · « **Reply #27 on:** Aug 07, 2006, 05:44:10 PM »

OK, what are your thoughts?
I picked up one of these GCI units...it is a 15 Amp interrupt. Question: If the welder can pull 15-16 amps and the garage is on a 15A breaker, will the 15A interrupt switch off before the garage breaker gets thrown?
I am hoping I can use the circuit interrupter to "tune" the welder to the highest setting I can run without throwing the switch or the breaker.

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