Another welder wiring question :(

[BillK]

Hy guys,
One of my neighbors bought one of those inexpensive Chinese tig/stick welders. The instructions are in Chinese and pretty much useless.. Looking at the sticker on the machine it looks to me like it uses 19.7 amps at 220 volts so I am thinking it needs to be on a 30A breaker ? He wants to put an outlet in his garage and has plenty of spaces in his panel. The think is really toy like. Has two wires sticking out the back a brass screw connection for the ground. Makes it real hard to make up a neat cable for it.

Take a look at the label and see if you agree with what I am seeing as far as AMP requirements.

Thanks,

 

[DannoXYZ]

Yup, 30amp circuit should work.

For attaching power cable, enlarge hole where two wires sticking through back for grommet. Then wire up power cable internally. Use inside end of brass bolt for ground. That should clean it up.

 

[sberry]

It did not come with a cord and plug?

 

[BillK]

It did not come with a cord and plug?

Nope Just two wires hanging out the back and a ground lug. What do you want for $129 ? Some of the pictures online show a cord but this one does not have one.

 

[BillK]

Yup, 30amp circuit should work.

For attaching power cable, enlarge hole where two wires sticking through back for grommet. Then wire up power cable internally. Use inside end of brass bolt for ground. That should clean it up.

Thats what I plan on doing. The hole where the wires come out looks like it is made for a cord anyway.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

You can always run a smaller breaker so long as it equals or matches the wire size. If you only have a 20A wire/breaker and it's too much it will pop the breaker. That's what it's there for. The miller 330A/BP I use calls for a 125A breaker (though it should run fine on 100 doing the math). The whole shop only has 100. It's on a 60. It's never popped, and probably won't unless I decide I need to start using 1/4" rods.

30A would be ideal, but I think 20 would be fine. Most of us weld with 1/8" rods at around 100A. I've never exceeded 230A, even with 5/32 rods.

 

[nadogail]

Will this be your only and last welder?

Perhaps you might consider sizing your breakers and conductors to allow for future growth.