Bought a big boy welder…

[RacerX]

Buddy is changing over some of his shop equipment and I lucked into his old Millermatic 210. This thing will compliment my Hobart 140 nicely, I’ll just say this…. It’s a BEAST! Commercial grade, old-school mig machine.

 

[RacerX]

I see some rollcage additions in my future…

 

[Get Off My Lawn]

Noyce!
Do you have a 240V plug the garage yet?

 

[Pogue]

Nice! Got one at our shop and a 211 at the house. Awesome rigs.

 

[RacerX]

Noyce!
Do you have a 240V plug the garage yet?

Nope! Gonna make a long extension cord with THICK wire to use my dryer outlet. My lovely wife will LOVE having it go out the window to the driveway.

I have a feeling she’ll use the lack of 220 in the garage and the cord running through the house as an argument to build a new house.

 

[Get Off My Lawn]

I had the electrician put one in the garage near the door.

 

[RacerX]

I had the electrician put one in the garage near the door.

My panel may be maxed so I’m looking at a sub panel to add 220v, if I’m living here in 9 months... Wife wants to move…. I want to keep my crap right where it is unless I get 25+ acres and a big pole barn.

 

[Mitch Rapp]

You get 25 acres, and theres plenty of folks here who will help build the pole barn for burgers and beer lol

 

[Scsmith42]

Nice score on the Mig! Those are great machines.

 

[Button Pusher]

You get 25 acres, and theres plenty of folks here who will help build the pole barn for burgers and beer lol

And clear a path for a 500 yd range, 😀

 

[Cowboy]

Cool! I've helped my father in-law sell just about anything you can imagine the last 6 months. 2 welders down and one to go. It's an old school Lincoln form like 1960's it's a big boy.

 

[RacerX]

I’m going to do some homework today for wiring and required plugs for the welder. I k kw there are different 220 plugs.

It may be cheaper for me to buy a larger generator than to install a sub panel for longer burning sessions. Also would increase my available power during outages (currently have a 3500watt unit)

 

[Scsmith42]

There is one standard 240 50a plug used for most welding equipment. I'll send you the NEMA designation when I get back to the farm.

If you go the generator route I would suggest a minimum of 10kw continuous rating, with 12kw even better.

 

[hp468]

6-50r is the receptacle you need.

 

[RacerX]

Thanks guys!

@Scsmith42 Thanks for the advice. Buying that size generator may steer me back towards the sun-panel! I’ll start with the long cord until my wife gets tired of it!

@hp468 Thanks for the plug info!

 

[Scsmith42]

6-50r is the receptacle you need.

What he said...

 

[Scsmith42]

There is one standard 240 50a plug used for most welding equipment. I'll send you the NEMA designation when I get back to the farm.

If you go the generator route I would suggest a minimum of 10kw continuous rating, with 12kw even better.

I gave your the wrong specs (was thinking stick welder and not MIG).

You can operate that welder safely on 6500 watts, with 5500 continuous rating.

 

[BlackGun]

You may not need a sub panel if you have two spaces and load capacity. You can buy just the receptacle enclosure breaker, and wire.

 

[RacerX]

I gave your the wrong specs (was thinking stick welder and not MIG).

You can operate that welder safely on 6500 watts, with 5500 continuous rating.

I’ll let you slide… this time! Hahah. That generator is def more in my price range. I’m hearing great things about the larger HF units.

@BlackGun I had an electrician install some split breakers for our attic. I’m not sure I have the load capacity in the panel. If you’re knowledgeable, I’ll send you a pic of my panel and specs if you know.

 

[Scsmith42]

I’ll let you slide… this time! Hahah. That generator is def more in my price range. I’m hearing great things about the larger HF units.

@BlackGun I had an electrician install some split breakers for our attic. I’m not sure I have the load capacity in the panel. If you’re knowledgeable, I’ll send you a pic of my panel and specs if you know.

Post the panel pix here. I would be surprised if your panel lacked load capacity, unless it is very old and a low amperage panel. Most everything installed in the last 40+ years has a 200A rating, which is more than adequate to support normal house loads and a welding machine.

 

[RacerX]

@Scsmith42

 

[Scsmith42]

I can't make out the amperage rating on the panel. If it does not have a main in it, then there should be an outside panel that feeds it. Let us know the amperage rating on the main, or post close up pics of your outside panel and meter - it will have the amperage rating on it.

 

[RacerX]

Can this box be the 220v source?

 

[Scsmith42]

Yup. Since you're only looking at a short run, you can use 8/2 with ground as long as the insulation is rated for 75C or higher (but 6/2 would be better). Install a 50A breaker and you're good to go.