125v 30a RV plug ok for a welder?

[thehazmatguy]

I've tried to use my mig welder on 115v at someone else's house and I trip the garage electrical breaker. I think the wiring in the garage is sub-par but that's another topic (another buddy's 115v Lincoln tripped the breaker too). On the side of his garage is a RV plug for a camper or something. The RV style plug is marked 125v 30a and is on a 30 amp breaker.

Is there any reason I can't use an adaptor and run my welder off of the RV outlet? What's the deal with the extra 10 volts on this RV plug??

 

[mrb]

plugs use a nominal voltage for the rating, 125v, 250v etc. You will be fine.

 

[Tscott]

Yep, you should be fine.

Tom

 

[VHF]

As far as I know that 125V 30A RV receptical is unique for RV applications, i.e. not commonly used for anything else. I'm not even sure if it has a NEMA designation other than "TT" for travel trailer. If you have trouble finding a mating plug, you could buy a standard 30A RV extension cord and replace the female end with a socket appropriate for your welder.

(The receptical used for 240VAC 50A RV service, on the other hand, is identical to the 4-prong receptical for an electric range.)

 

[mrb]

another option for the adapter, is to put a male TT-30 plug onto something 12/3 with a female household connector. This would be cheaper than buying an RV extension cord to hack up. Leviton makes this plug p/n TT-30 830 its around $9. You should also be able to find a single piece molded TT-30 male to 15amp female adaptor for around $10.

 

[thehazmatguy]

another option for the adapter, is to put a male TT-30 plug onto something 12/3 with a female household connector. This would be cheaper than buying an RV extension cord to hack up. Leviton makes this plug p/n TT-30 830 its around $9. You should also be able to find a single piece molded TT-30 male to 15amp female adaptor for around $10.

I found an 18 inch long 10 gauge cord at HF with an RV male end and a household female end for under $10.

Thanks for the answers guys!

 

[ktm450]

I've tried to use my mig welder on 115v at someone else's house and I trip the garage electrical breaker. I think the wiring in the garage is sub-par but that's another topic (another buddy's 115v Lincoln tripped the breaker too). On the side of his garage is a RV plug for a camper or something. The RV style plug is marked 125v 30a and is on a 30 amp breaker.

Is there any reason I can't use an adaptor and run my welder off of the RV outlet? What's the deal with the extra 10 volts on this RV plug??

Did the same setup in my garage for my mig welder. Installed a 30A breaker and the 30A RV receptical. Now I can run my welder or hook up my trailer. The lincoln welder I have (SP-125) is really designed to run off a 25A breaker, not 20A. Problem is 25A breakers and outlets are hard to find. going to 30A is the ideal setup, no problem tripping breakers and are duty cycle limited, not current limited.