208 volts for Challenger 172?

[Thomas Harris]

Will this do any harm to the unit? It's all I have availible there. Is there a connection to make inside to convert it? The manual says 220 in on one page and 240 on another. I realize this is common residential, with208 being in commercial/industrial. But will some quick welds at 208 break the bank?

[James D. Clark]

Thomas;

Is that all there is? That low a voltage probably won't hurt the welder, but it might not be good for motors. It's going to effect the welding if maximum output is needed. Is 208 volts the normal voltage for your service? I think the power compapany can change out your transformer or change the tap to give you 110/220. I'm in a residental area with some of the wires and poles going on 50 years old. Yet we're only about three blocks from nearly new main distribution lines and another block to a major substation. My voltage at the welder is 244.

[Thomas Harris]

I need to do some stuff at work with it. Voltage there is 208 three phase wye.

[James D. Clark]

I think you want single phase power for your welder. 3 phase is not going to work. The connectors (plug and outlets) don't match do they?. What little I know, I believe the wave forms, power factors, etc. are different. If this is a one time usage for a repair maybe you can rent a portable 220 volt generator.

[hankj]

208VAC is the typical phase-to-phase potential in 3-phase circuits.
I don't know anything about the Challenger, but I'd guess that any internal accessories (fan motor, etc.) will not like the 208.

You can get a step-up transformer that sits on the load side of your service to arrive at 240VAC - call you local electrical supplier and describe your delimma - he'll set you up. You can hard-wire the unit, or leave it portable. I'd advise a hard-wire installation, with the transfomer output feeding a new 240VAC panel that you can run your branch circuits from.

Be well.

hankj

[Hobart Expert Kevin]

Thomas,
If you operate the Challenger on 208 power you will lose the high end output of the machine. It will not hurt the unit to operate it on 208 for a short time but I would not recommend doing it long term.

Kevin