Power requirements

[lancersdad]

I've been welding for years... back in the day where all there was for us was Cutting torches and welding tips unless you wanted to spend 600 on an Arc Welder... back in the 70's 600 was a lot of money :) Over the years I picked up a Lincolin 100 amp arc welder.. and a small 50 amp stick welder for smaller jobs... Mostly limiting myself to welding brackets and tacking stuff to car frames. Brazing exhaust pipes is easy enough... but I have to replace my catalytic converter... so I'm wanting to play with a wire feed and see how that works. I think the concept is that wire feed with gas is a cleaner and smoother flow or fills gaps easier... and without gas you have to use a wire with a flux... I've been checking out on E-Bay and there are some good cheap deals there. For something to begin to play with.
I've been reading some of the threads... and figure to find something higher voltage that does with and without gas... What I have seen is that lots of the older units are 230 volts... not 220 or 240. What is the deal... what kind of damage will occur if I hook up what ever the amperage breakers the machine requires, and of course the proper gage wire for those breakers to the proper style and type matching receptacle for the machine. There shouldn't be any difference in the phases running the power since it is only 2 phase instead of 3... but will the 230 overheat the machine if the voldtage is 110/220 and if the power is 120/240 is shouldn't be enough of a difference to cause any damage.... or will it? This stuff is controlled by electronics which I don't want to damage in the middle of a project. thanks guys.

[Sberry]

For something to begin to play with. First that is something good to get past and your willingness to go to a 240V machine helps. I wouldnt bother, skip that step and get a machine that gets results. March right out and get a 187 or 210. With any amount of use the payback is quick, good investment.
As for the electric, old days power was 110/220 now nominal is 120/240. 220 is pretty much slang. As load increased it really improved transmission and letting service upgrades to be added to existing wiring.
Mine stands right on 246 no load.

[lancersdad]

Ok...so a 187 or 210 are the optimim models... Good to know from your experience which direction to head... and as I thought the 230 voltage issue isn't really a specific requirement... especially since most Murray panels are listed 220 or 240. I'm just wanting/needing to be sure the minimum volatge with no load at my panel meets the machines need. The newer manchines all say 220 or 240. I've been noticing that the 220 machines are somewhat cheaper than the 120 uniits... They use fewer amps as well as require a smaller amp breaker at the panel... I guess the draw back is actually that if you take it over to a friends to do some welding... you need to have an adaptor for his dryer hook up. Nobody has the nema 4 leg plug non crows foot plug in thier garage :)
Thanks for the help... My son and I will be watching your provided video on line feed welding. He's 14 and loves the photo sensitive welding helmets we have. I'm going to let him blow his way through some exhaust pipe and learn to fill the hole back up... :)

[bwldng]

You will be fine with line voltage of 220 to 240.I have a MM185 and use .024 to .035 with 75/25 gas mix.I'm well pleased with the performance.

[vicegrip]

First that is something good to get past and your willingness to go to a 240V machine helps. I wouldnt bother, skip that step and get a machine that gets results. March right out and get a 187 or 210. With any amount of use the payback is quick, good investment.
As for the electric, old days power was 110/220 now nominal is 120/240. 220 is pretty much slang. As load increased it really improved transmission and letting service upgrades to be added to existing wiring.
Mine stands right on 246 no load.


Yup!........

vg

[lojim]

I also have a question about electrical:

My breaker box is in my garage (where the welder is at). I need to run a '220 line' (yes 220, 230, 240, et al.). I know how to run electrical, but when I was reading that the MAX recommended breaker is 20amps I was a little shocked. I would have guessed much higher amp ratings for a welder. I have a HH175. My plug will be less than 10' away from my box (location within code for my area).

Do I need an auxiliary disconnect?
20amp?? Really??

Thanks for the help!

[Hobart Expert Keith]

I would suggest a 30 amp service. The 20 amp will only allow you to achieve the rated output of 130A/20V.

Keith

[Broccoli1]

I would suggest a 30 amp service. The 20 amp will only allow you to achieve the rated output of 130A/20V.

Keith

Why do they state it as MAX? rather than Minimum?
I think I just figgered it out:

Max is 20 amps using the Minimum wire gauge

[Zrexxer]

Why do they state it as MAX? rather than Minimum?
I think I just figgered it out:

Max is 20 amps using the Minimum wire gaugeSame electrical truth as always: Breakers protect the supply wiring, not the device connected to it.

[lojim]

So what should I use?

[Broccoli1]

10g wire
30amp CB

6-50R Receptacle.

[lojim]

Seems simple enough. Thanks!