230V extension cord for welder

[stage20]

miller 180 autoset. ive read several threads about wiring sizing and breakers etc.

im a little confused by millers manual which says a 14ga cord 20ft long will suffice.

my brain tells me to use 10ga, but i have hundreds of feet of #12 SOO cord.

its currently wired with a piece of 10ga romex out of the breaker box and into a female outlet plug, but id like to make an extension cord for it. i have the ends and the wire. it will be 20ft in length

 

[nadogail]

Why stop at only 20 feet?

You might want to weld something
In your driveway.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

#12 will be fine.

Duty cycle is 30% and amperage is 21.7a.

 

[TheOtherChris]

I have a Hobart 190 welder and a CUT50 plasma torch and use #12 SOOW for my extension cord without issues

 

[stage20]

Why stop at only 20 feet?

You might want to weld something
In your driveway.

you have a piont!

if i wanted to go longer on the cord, is there a formula to figure distance with the #12? i said 20ft, but i think the manual actually stated 21ft with #14.

 

[sberry]

It will run on 100 ft of 12 no problem. 12 is way better than the minimum standard,,, main thing being is that it is the same as the cord on the machine and can be used on 50A circuits, when you use the 14 it needs a breaker change to 30.

 

[Pwaley]

Great info here guys. #12 and 50 feet for me then.

 

[stage20]

I don't know how long I need it but I'm going to pull my trailer in front of the shop and just make sure the welder reaches the tongue and where I'll clip it

 

[sberry]

If you have hundreds of feet of cord go ahead and put 50 on this and make your life mobile. You could use a welder 2x as powerful as that on it for the same time and it would be fine. Its about half its capacity.

 

[evintho]

As stated 12ga should be fine. I grabbed a power cable from a motor home at a garage sale and threw a couple of ends on it. It's 10ga and 30' long. Works great!

 

[MushCreek]

That's what I used- an RV extension cord. Big and durable. Don't just walk into an RV dealer, though. Shop the 'net or ebay.

 

[BLACK DEATH]

So you guys are saying using 12 gauge is good up to a 100' or more as an extension cord?
What about 10 gauge limits?
Or is it better to hard wire a larger cable into the mig welder than what it comes with?
I have a Hobart 190 also
Also do I buy a 3 or 4 wire soow for an ext cord?

 

[Norcal]

As stated 12ga should be fine. I grabbed a power cable from a motor home at a garage sale and threw a couple of ends on it. It's 10ga and 30' long. Works great!

Do not ever bring that cord around where OSHA is around, use of a metal box like that would result in a citation.

 

[evintho]

I think I'm OK. OSHA doesn't frequent my garage much.

 

[TTA89]

I just ordered one of these.. Cheaper than buying the ends and free shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HEAVY-DUTY-...TIG-PLASMA-WELDER-200-230-VOLTS-/391102863326

 

[md21722]

Do not ever bring that cord around where OSHA is around, use of a metal box like that would result in a citation.

What's the logic behind this?

 

[Norcal]

What's the logic behind this?

Metal boxes are not code compliant when used on cords like that. Use a FS or FD box and it's fine, just needs cast hubs, Arrow-Hart makes a proper connector also.

 

[stage20]

I just ordered one of these.. Cheaper than buying the ends and free shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HEAVY-DUTY-...TIG-PLASMA-WELDER-200-230-VOLTS-/391102863326

i about pulled the plug(pun) on one of those until i got ends at a sale for a buck a piece. they are 14.99 and 19.99 at lowes for male/female, respectfully

ive got the cord, so its a no brainer. need to get a box. might get around to it next weekend if i can get the yard straight.