220 Outlet Outside?

[Broadie]

Finally at the point in my build where I can run wire. I'll have a carport off the backside of the garage and was wondering if it would be OK to put a 220 outlet there for my welder. Thinking it would be nice to back the boat in there to weld rather than always in the garage. Would this be Kosher? Can't find much on the web either way but seem to remember someone on here eluding to the fact that this was wrong, but can't find or remember where it was.

Thanks!

 

[madosta]

Could probably do something like an RV panel?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005FVNGBE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Journaler]

As long as you protect the outlet from the elements, the area from sparks, and curious eyes from the arc, you should be fine welding outdoors... IMO

 

[madosta]

As long as you protect the outlet from the elements, the area from sparks, and curious eyes from the arc, you should be fine welding outdoors... IMO

Also if you're using shielding gas, hopefully it's not really windy!

 

[Stuart in MN]

Will the receptacle be under the carport area where it's protected from rain? If so you just need a regular weather resistant cover on it, but if it's exposed to the elements it will need a weatherproof-while-in-use cover.

 

[Journaler]

Also if you're using shielding gas, hopefully it's not really windy!

Good point. I assumed he was using a stick welder.

 

[Oldbear]

Good point. I assumed he was using a stick welder.

Or gas-less fluxcore

 

[madosta]

Or gas-less fluxcore

Hahaha... I was kinda being sarcastic, but fluxcore is grosssssssssssss. Ugh hate that stuff.

 

[rlitman]

Will the receptacle be under the carport area where it's protected from rain? If so you just need a regular weather resistant cover on it, but if it's exposed to the elements it will need a weatherproof-while-in-use cover.

Huh? You only need a weatherproof-while-in-use cover if you plan on leaving the welder plugged in, while exposed to the rain. I doubt the welder is meant to be exposed to the rain (many engine welders are, but then there wouldn't be a question about putting a plug on the wall, and I don't know of plug-in welders that are meant to be used in the rain).

So long as the welder is unplugged, and the outlet cover is closed when it is raining, a regular weather resistant cover is fine.

 

[rwhite692]

When I built my shop, I added a dedicated 50A circuit for my RV which parks alongside.

I sometimes also use the outlet for powering my welder/plasma cutter, etc when I don't want to make a mess inside the shop, etc.

I used this outlet box, which is fed through the back, and is mounted to my exterior wall.

It is an all-metal design and very nicely built, rugged, etc.

It is made by Midwest products, and was in stock at my local home depot, about $45 as I recall.

http://www.rvsupplyparts.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=8854

 

[Stuart in MN]

So long as the welder is unplugged, and the outlet cover is closed when it is raining, a regular weather resistant cover is fine.

I double checked article 406.9 (B) in the 2011 NEC and you're correct - what I wrote applies to 15 and 20 amp circuits; a 50 amp welder circuit only requires a regular weather resistant cover.

 

[Broadie]

Huh? You only need a weatherproof-while-in-use cover if you plan on leaving the welder plugged in, while exposed to the rain. I doubt the welder is meant to be exposed to the rain (many engine welders are, but then there wouldn't be a question about putting a plug on the wall, and I don't know of plug-in welders that are meant to be used in the rain).

So long as the welder is unplugged, and the outlet cover is closed when it is raining, a regular weather resistant cover is fine.

Thanks for the quick replies. I found one of those 50 amp RV covers on Home Depot's website and will get one ordered up. It will be protected from the elements.

This guy's post made me instantly think of one of the aluminum boat builders here who has his own private dock that you can pull your boat up to for fab work. He's got one of his old Millermatics sitting down there with a tarp wrapped around it. It rains A LOT here. The setup works fine, if you consider a tarp proper protection, all is good.

Thanks again.

 

[MrMark]

I double checked article 406.9 (B) in the 2011 NEC and you're correct - what I wrote applies to 15 and 20 amp circuits; a 50 amp welder circuit only requires a regular weather resistant cover.

I didn't know that. So even if you are not leaving something plugged in all the time you still need the in-use cover if exposed to the elements? The weather resistant covers are only for use under an eve or similar?

Confused

 

[Stuart in MN]

I didn't know that. So even if you are not leaving something plugged in all the time you still need the in-use cover if exposed to the elements? The weather resistant covers are only for use under an eve or similar?

Confused

Yes - for 15 amp and 20 amp receptacles.

 

[rwhite692]

Thanks for the quick replies. I found one of those 50 amp RV covers on Home Depot's website and will get one ordered up. It will be protected from the elements....

To clarify, that is not just a cover, it is a surface mounted electrical box and it includes the 50A receptacle, as well.

 

[Broadie]

I see, ordered it thinking it was just the cover, 1/2 the price of the one on the link above. Hopefully the outlet matches the male end on my welder. Guess I'll have to check. My buddy has had my new welder while I'm building the garage.

 

[madosta]

I see, ordered it thinking it was just the cover, 1/2 the price of the one on the link above. Hopefully the outlet matches the male end on my welder. Guess I'll have to check. My buddy has had my new welder while I'm building the garage.

If it's 4 pin it will be a 14-50R and the welder may be a 6-50P plug (stove plug) - you could do something like this: http://www.toolking.com/hobart-770674-1-5-adapter-cord-14-50-to-6-50/

 

[houdni]

this is the outlet for my welder...

 

[madosta]

this is the outlet for my welder...

Wow. Overkill?! Nice though.

 

[rwhite692]

this is the outlet for my welder...

That is a nice setup, the only downside I can see is that, with that specialized plug and receptacle (can't really see what format that plug and receptacle are?) it may not be possible to use standard adapters to plug into that, in order to accommodate various lower amperage demand items (ie, 30A, etc). And it could be a pain in the neck to have to get under there and insert them from underneath.

 

[houdni]

how is this an overkill...i run a synchrowave 250...
you can see it in th background

 

[SpookyEng]

When I built my shop, I added a dedicated 50A circuit for my RV which parks alongside.

I sometimes also use the outlet for powering my welder/plasma cutter, etc when I don't want to make a mess inside the shop, etc.

I used this outlet box, which is fed through the back, and is mounted to my exterior wall.

It is an all-metal design and very nicely built, rugged, etc.

It is made by Midwest products, and was in stock at my local home depot, about $45 as I recall.

http://www.rvsupplyparts.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=8854

I used the same type of outlet 50A RV receptacle. That way I could use it for a welder and to plug the trailer in