welder/high voltage question

callaway · **Posted:** Tue Dec 25, 2007 5:56 pm

I got a hobart handler 187 welder for christmas but dont have one of the huge outlets it wants anywhere in the house...

the welder can operate on standard 230V/240V household power and I have a generator that will do the 240V, but it uses a 'circular' type plug...

Is there any sort of adapter to go from the large 3 prong to the circular connection or do i need a dedicated outlet?

Landy · **Posted:** Tue Dec 25, 2007 6:27 pm

Does the amperage match up? The generator tag says 30A, what does the welder draw?

callaway · **Posted:** Tue Dec 25, 2007 7:01 pm

Landy wrote:

Does the amperage match up? The generator tag says 30A, what does the welder draw?

the current range is 25 - 185 A...

Bob V · **Posted:** Tue Dec 25, 2007 8:36 pm

I believe that is a 240v 40A plug

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 25, 2007 8:57 pm

are you washing clothes? lol that is the same plug and I believe your dryer and range but you'll have to call a electrican out to your house to wire up a plug in your garage

Landy · **Posted:** Tue Dec 25, 2007 9:01 pm

By amperage draw I meant what does the welder require to operate, not the weld adjustment amperage capability range.

If that's a 40 amp plug on the welder, and your generator's max amperage out put is 30amps, that's why the plugs are different. I put a plug in the garage for a 220V welder and I used a 50amp plug with 3 flats. -Your plug can depend on the welder requirements.

I think you'd like to try and run the welder off your generator... so subjective comment here, suppose you did change the plug to try it on your generator... If the welder pulls too hard on the generator, it's probably just going to shut itself down, right?

Christmas day and the stores are of course closed, is there an adapter plug available?

Landy · **Posted:** Tue Dec 25, 2007 9:07 pm

Maybe an RV store.
http://www.mysimon.com/9000-11020_8-0.h ... Converters

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 25, 2007 9:12 pm

I have never seen a 3 prong to 4 prong adapter...and I work at a hardware store

callaway · **Posted:** Tue Dec 25, 2007 9:15 pm

Landy wrote:

By amperage draw I meant what does the welder require to operate, not the weld adjustment amperage capability range.

If that's a 40 amp plug on the welder, and your generator's max amperage out put is 30amps, that's why the plugs are different. I put a plug in the garage for a 220V welder and I used a 50amp plug with 3 flats. -Your plug can depend on the welder requirements.

I think you'd like to try and run the welder off your generator... so subjective comment here, suppose you did change the plug to try it on your generator... If the welder pulls too hard on the generator, it's probably just going to shut itself down, right?

Christmas day and the stores are of course closed, is there an adapter plug available?

I'm not that familiar with amps and proper ratings so I'm left to asking these stupid questions

it would be ideal to run the welder off the generator as theres no electrical anywhere near where I'd be using the welder. I think the generator could definitely handle it... Just need an adapter or something =/

Here are the generator specs (more info than is needed but meh)...

Quote:

Rated Watts 5500
Surge Watts 8500
Voltage 120/240
Amps @ 120/240V 45.8/22.9
Circuit Breaker Yes
Engine Alternator Brush
Run Time @ Full Load (Hr./Tank) 6
Run Time @ 1/2 Load (Hr./Tank) 11
Sound Level dB 89
Engine HP 10
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gal.) 7
Starter Type Recoil
Air Cleaner Type Standard
Low Oil Shut Down Yes
Length (In.) 30
Width (In.) 23 1/2
Height (In.) 28 1/2
Engine Brand B&S
Mounting Type Vibration Dampeners on Engine & Generator
Max. AC Watts 8500
Max. VA 8500
Full Power Switch No
Fuel Type Gas
NEMA Plug Configuration (4) 20A @ 120V Duplex 5-20R / (1) 20A 120/240V L14-30R

here are the welder specs...

Quote:

Rated Output at 30% Duty Cycle 130 A at 21.5 VDC
Current Range 25 - 185 A
Max. Open-Circuit Voltage 30 V
Wire Feed Speed Range 40 - 700 IPM
50 - 740 IPM at no load
Amps Input at Rated Load, 50/60 Hz 230 V 20.5
kVA 4.7
kW 3.88

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Dec 25, 2007 9:36 pm

No way that Gen will run that welder.

Its best to get 240 ran to where ever you will be welding.

callaway · **Posted:** Tue Dec 25, 2007 9:50 pm

Neal · **Posted:** Tue Dec 25, 2007 10:10 pm

it will work the generator is capable of providing 22.9 amps and the welder at max load only draws 20.5 amps.
just make up an adapter cable, buy the proper plugs and make the adapter

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Tue Dec 25, 2007 10:38 pm

callaway wrote:

Landy wrote:

By amperage draw I meant what does the welder require to operate, not the weld adjustment amperage capability range.

If that's a 40 amp plug on the welder, and your generator's max amperage out put is 30amps, that's why the plugs are different. I put a plug in the garage for a 220V welder and I used a 50amp plug with 3 flats. -Your plug can depend on the welder requirements.

I think you'd like to try and run the welder off your generator... so subjective comment here, suppose you did change the plug to try it on your generator... If the welder pulls too hard on the generator, it's probably just going to shut itself down, right?

Christmas day and the stores are of course closed, is there an adapter plug available?

I'm not that familiar with amps and proper ratings so I'm left to asking these stupid questions

it would be ideal to run the welder off the generator as theres no electrical anywhere near where I'd be using the welder. I think the generator could definitely handle it... Just need an adapter or something =/

Here are the generator specs (more info than is needed but meh)...

Quote:

Rated Watts 5500
Surge Watts 8500
Voltage 120/240
Amps @ 120/240V 45.8/22.9
Circuit Breaker Yes
Engine Alternator Brush
Run Time @ Full Load (Hr./Tank) 6
Run Time @ 1/2 Load (Hr./Tank) 11
Sound Level dB 89
Engine HP 10
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gal.) 7
Starter Type Recoil
Air Cleaner Type Standard
Low Oil Shut Down Yes
Length (In.) 30
Width (In.) 23 1/2
Height (In.) 28 1/2
Engine Brand B&S
Mounting Type Vibration Dampeners on Engine & Generator
Max. AC Watts 8500
Max. VA 8500
Full Power Switch No
Fuel Type Gas
NEMA Plug Configuration (4) 20A @ 120V Duplex 5-20R / (1) 20A 120/240V L14-30R

here are the welder specs...

Quote:

Rated Output at 30% Duty Cycle 130 A at 21.5 VDC
Current Range 25 - 185 A
Max. Open-Circuit Voltage 30 V
Wire Feed Speed Range 40 - 700 IPM
50 - 740 IPM at no load
Amps Input at Rated Load, 50/60 Hz 230 V 20.5
kVA 4.7
kW 3.88

it should work as the gen throws 240 v @ 22.9a and the welder draws 230v @ 20.5 a

Landy · **Posted:** Tue Dec 25, 2007 11:24 pm

Don't give up on an adapter. I've never heard of one either, but maybe an electrical store if the RV store hasn't got anything.

callaway · **Posted:** Tue Dec 25, 2007 11:56 pm

Diggerfreek wrote:

it should work as the gen throws 240 v @ 22.9a and the welder draws 230v @ 20.5 a

The welder can handle 24GA (.028") to 5/16" thick material so does the welder draw that much from the time I turn it on, or is that the max it will draw if I set up for the welding the thickest material? I don't think I'd be doing much of anything > than 1/4"

I'll give putting together an adapter shot - it has to be cheaper than getting a dedicated line run out to the garage.

Thanks

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Dec 26, 2007 1:25 am

my bad, I was looking at the output of the Welder. Its been a long few days.

Rush345 · **Posted:** Wed Dec 26, 2007 2:24 am

Here is a link that might help.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/catego ... g-adapters

Good Luck :wink:

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Wed Dec 26, 2007 2:50 am

callaway wrote:

Diggerfreek wrote:

it should work as the gen throws 240 v @ 22.9a and the welder draws 230v @ 20.5 a

The welder can handle 24GA (.028") to 5/16" thick material so does the welder draw that much from the time I turn it on, or is that the max it will draw if I set up for the welding the thickest material? I don't think I'd be doing much of anything > than 1/4"

I'll give putting together an adapter shot - it has to be cheaper than getting a dedicated line run out to the garage.

Thanks

Go to your local Lowes or Home Depot and find a dryer cord that has the right plug for your generator (or dryer outlet), then get a receiver that will except your welder plug and wire that in a box to the dryer cord.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... yer%20cord

and something like this for the box and outlet (be sure to check specs on outlet)

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none

Or instead of the box and outlet maybe something like this:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... yer%20cord

Lots of cheap options for making an adapter if you just poke around the local Lowes or Home Depot.

Hope that helps. When it comes to electical, if you don't know what you are doing, find someone who does. Having an adapter made by a professional is a lot cheaper than paying for a burned down house.

callaway · **Posted:** Wed Dec 26, 2007 11:04 am

Looks easy enough to make an adapter

Thanks for the info/links guys

Last question...

The dryer cord has 4 wires (white, black, red, ground).
The welder has 3 wires (white, black, ground).

white goes with white, black with black, green with green, but where does red fit in?

bugnout · **Posted:** Wed Dec 26, 2007 11:23 am

230 volt supplies have:
1 115 volt Phase A HOT wire is colored, usually black
1 115 volt Phase B HOT wire is colored, something other than black often red
1 white return wire or neutral wire - used in some equipment only if you need both 115 and 230
1 ground wire usually green that terminates in the main electrical box. (caution, should only be one ground connection or circuit breakers might not work.)

http://www.make-my-own-house.com/home-electrical-wiring.html

welder/high voltage question

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