30 Amp not enough?

[zimman]

So I have a temp extension (big 30amp RV extension) to the garage. Yesterday I used the welder, with the new lights on (3 @ 200w) fan running, radio and some disco lights. LOL Kidding on the disco lights.
Blew the 30 amp breaker. Welder is 110v and was maybe half way turned up. Do I need a 50amp service. These lights are badass.
Planning ahead.
Zim

 

[Denwood]

I have a shop with a 30A@240V feed and do use a 120V MIG in there from time to time. It pulls 20A though on one leg easy. What you did do likely is pull more than 30A on the same leg (assuming a 30A@120V extension) , which you won't necessarly see if using a 240V subpanel. A 240V panel can be load balanced so your 20A receptacles are not on the same leg as your lighting. I charge an EV as well in there 16A@240V with no issues, but again at night with no other loads in play. I have a hoist, two compressors etc. all quite happy on a 30A@240V feed.

The only time I've ever had an issue with the 30A@240V feed to the garage was the first time charging the EV at 240V. One leg of the 30A feed at the house main panel had a poor connection and was overheating after about 30 minutes of charging 16A@240V. Sorted that after some thermal camera imaging, and zero issues since.

 

[BillK]

So I have a temp extension (big 30amp RV extension) to the garage.

30 amp 120 or 240 ?

 

[Jack Ryan]

Welder is 110v and was maybe half way turned up.

Are we talking transformer buzzbox or highly efficient inverter?

Jack

 

[zimman]

Are we talking transformer buzzbox or highly efficient inverter?

Jack

Don't know what a transformer buzzbox is or a efficient inverter. It's a Eastwood multiprocess welder. Runs on 110v
I used transformers in Italy and Germany but as you can see I'm in America.
Zim

 

[zimman]

30 amp 120 or 240 ?

It's a 30 amp breaker with a RV style extension (30') 120 volt.
I just realized it's 30' extension so there may be some loss of voltage or power.
Zim

 

[zimman]

Okay fella's, I'm out.
Thanks for the help.
Zim

 

[zimman]

I have a shop with a 30A@240V feed and do use a 120V MIG in there from time to time. It pulls 20A though on one leg easy. What you did do likely is pull more than 30A on the same leg (assuming a 30A@120V extension) , which you won't necessarly see if using a 240V subpanel. A 240V panel can be load balanced so your 20A receptacles are not on the same leg as your lighting. I charge an EV as well in there 16A@240V with no issues, but again at night with no other loads in play. I have a hoist, two compressors etc. all quite happy on a 30A@240V feed.

The only time I've ever had an issue with the 30A@240V feed to the garage was the first time charging the EV at 240V. One leg of the 30A feed at the house main panel had a poor connection and was overheating after about 30 minutes of charging 16A@240V. Sorted that after some thermal camera imaging, and zero issues since.

Thank you for that.
Zim

 

[wyliesdiesels]

So I have a temp extension (big 30amp RV extension) to the garage. Yesterday I used the welder, with the new lights on (3 @ 200w) fan running, radio and some disco lights. LOL Kidding on the disco lights.
Blew the 30 amp breaker. Welder is 110v and was maybe half way turned up. Do I need a 50amp service. These lights are badass.
Planning ahead.
Zim

your welder has a max input current of 21.5a which is 2,580w @ 120v. add 600w for the lights, that leaves you with 3.5a for whatever else youre running.

but the other issue is the long extension cord and voltage drop which you mentioned. this is likely your culprit. voltage sagged and power draw went up...

 

[nadogail]

Any Service less than 100 Amps is probably inadequate.

 

[Metal-Marc]

600w for the lights

That's a lot of lights.

 

[finn]

Maybe try switching to led lighting to replace incandescent or florescent.

They’re pretty inexpensive and efficient these days.

Anyone remember the hysteria and hoarding when incandescent bulbs were being phased out?

How many of you guys still have a closet full of those obsolete energy hog incandescent bulbs?

30 amp circuit won’t support much, but a lot of garages and even houses were wired with 60 amp circuits.

Another thing to try (temporarily) is to run a second cord, even if only off a 15 or 20 amp circuit to separate the lights and other loads from the welder. Leave only the welder on the rv cord.

 

[anndel]

I have a Hobart 120 VAC MIG welder and it requires 20 amps and yes, you may need to upgrade it to at least 50 amps. You may need to upgrade the wiring as well.

 

[ChefRex]

Don't know what a transformer buzzbox is or a efficient inverter. It's a Eastwood multiprocess welder. Runs on 110v
I used transformers in Italy and Germany but as you can see I'm in America.
Zim

Nice work on the cart, what box?

 

[Shiftless]

…the new lights on (3 @ 200w)…

New lights are LED right? Looking at an LED fixture drawing 200 watts must be like looking at the sun.

 

[dcg9381]

So I have a temp extension (big 30amp RV extension) to the garage. Yesterday I used the welder, with the new lights on (3 @ 200w) fan running, radio and some disco lights. LOL Kidding on the disco lights.
Blew the 30 amp breaker. Welder is 110v and was maybe half way turned up. Do I need a 50amp service. These lights are badass.
Planning ahead.
Zim

"RV" 30A is 120V. Is the breaker arc fault / gfi or combo? Because if it is, I'd try it without.

If you run another wire and step up to 30A at 240V, you double your power and can put the welder on it's own leg.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Any Service less than 100 Amps is probably inadequate.

I run my shop on 60 amps 240 volts. I often have 18 four foot lights, true 5 hp compressor, vent fan at the compressor, blower on the blast cabinet, paint agitator, tv, ceiling fan, and 2-1/2 ton AC going at once with no issue. I buried 2” conduit in case of need, but have not bothered to pull wire.

 

[rmanrman]

RV’s are 120Volts 30Amp max. 240volts are not used or available from a Rv electric box
Need to run a 240Volt at 60 Amp directly to your shop from your house electric panel.

 

[zimman]

"RV" 30A is 120V. Is the breaker arc fault / gfi or combo? Because if it is, I'd try it without.

If you run another wire and step up to 30A at 240V, you double your power and can put the welder on it's own leg.

Yeah I've decided to just run some 10-2 underground wire and a 100 amp box. Do it the right way now. I was just trying to get by until this winter but nope, got to get right with the electric Gods. LOL
Thanks for the input.
Zim

 

[zimman]

Nice work on the cart, what box?

Harbo Fright. I think is was a buck fifty when I bought it. Don't quote me on that. LOL
Zim

 

[wyliesdiesels]

If you run another wire and step up to 30A at 240V, you double your power and can put the welder on it's own leg.

its an extension cord. how is he gonna run another wire?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Yeah I've decided to just run some 10-2 underground wire and a 100 amp box.

that wont give you any more power. #10 is 30a and since its only 2 conductor plus ground, you will still only have 120v

 

[dcg9381]

its an extension cord. how is he gonna run another wire?

New extension cord plugged into an appropriate source and inlet. A 10/3 extension is going to cost a lot less than moving up to 50A.

that wont give you anymore power. #10 is 30a and since its only 2 conductor plus ground, you will still only have 120v

exactly.

 

[zimman]

Any Service less than 100 Amps is probably inadequate.

I'll never have any need for a 220 welder. My structural days are over. LOL
Zim

 

[matt_i]

Yeah I've decided to just run some 10-2 underground wire and a 100 amp box. Do it the right way now. I was just trying to get by until this winter but nope, got to get right with the electric Gods. LOL
Thanks for the input.
Zim

I think its a mistake to undersize a feed. Also large potential for voltage drop with 120vac as the run increases. In my case, the Sync 250 welder in my shop is nameplated at ~~~100A @ 240vac which I supplied in conductors. However its never ever tripped a 60A breaker. In my opinion, "doing it right" is a 240vac feed with #6awg (copper) in conduits as a minimum starting point. Then you won't be disappointed later.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I'll never have any need for a 220 welder. My structural days are over. LOL
Zim

ok but you have 30a with the current setup. running a new 10/2 feeder doesnt give you any more power so youre just wasting money and will likely have the same problem