Electrical for 450 amp Welder

[donmillerx]

Just picked up a new Miller XMT 450 multi process inverter. The guy claimed to have won it in a raffle. Brand new in the box for $1,300.

It was too good to pass up but all I really wanted was a nice Tig machine and outfitting this multiprocess box is expensive!

I had airgas put in a solenoid & add the dinse connectors for quick change. I still need the mig feeder $$$ attachments and everything else.

I THINK I need a 15-60 Plug & Recepticle? Will someone please correct me if I'm wrong?

Where can I find these at a reasonable cost?! I've spent quite a bit already, I'd rather not dish out another $100.

Going to be pulling some #6 wire soon and putting this thing to work!

When it's all said and done I hope it's worth it, otherwise I might just trade it for a dynasty or something similar.

Any opinions?

 

[Warrenator]

That's a nice welder! Congrats! Does it need 3 phase power? The spec sheet says it does... if you don't have 3 phase available, might want to sell if and get a Dynasty or other.

All my welders have 220 V in, now they make TIG machines that can take 115V or 220, I sure think that would be convenient for work in the field. I never can take the welder to a friend's house to weld, the stuff always has to be brought to my shop.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

The 450 will only run on 3-phase. Do u have 3-phase? Where are u gonna be using this?

 

[donmillerx]

Yep, I've got the 3phase... I just need the big wire, plug, receptacle etc.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Yep, I've got the 3phase... I just need the big wire, plug, receptacle etc.

Ok so what type of service do u have? Wye or delta and what voltage?

The machine runs on 240 or 480. And the type of receptacle and plug u need depends on the voltage...

 

[donmillerx]

I'm not sure I remember but I know I've got 230 3 phase... (2) 230 & (1) 208? I think?

 

[Norcal]

I'm not sure I remember but I know I've got 230 3 phase... (2) 230 & (1) 208? I think?

There is no 230V 3Ø, but if one leg is 208V you have 240V 3Ø other 2 legs are 120V line to neutral, and any phase to phase voltage is 240V.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I'm not sure I remember but I know I've got 230 3 phase... (2) 230 & (1) 208? I think?

230v is not a system voltage. The closest system to that would be 120v/240v high leg delta as Norcal pointed out. The high or stinger leg is 208v line to neutral...

If thats the case, the welder has an input of 51a @ 240v so then u need a NEMA 15-60 as u said...u will need #6 wire due to the 100% duty cycle...

 

[donmillerx]

Wow, alright you guys speak another language...but I'm glad that you do! Thanks!
So I have Delta? And I'm looking for a nema? 15-60 plug & recptacle at a decent price?
AND some #6 wire...
Really starting to think it would be easier AND cheaper to go with separate welders?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

NEMA is an abbreviation for the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. An example of NEMA is a rating that is used as a standard to define the types of environments where an electrical device can be used; a NEMA rating.

Yes if your line to line voltage is 240v and u have a 4-wire service then u have whats called Delta service....

 

[CGT80]

A Dynasty would be an awesome machine. I have a Miller 330ab/p sine wave machine that is rated to 460 amps. My MIG machine is a Millermatic 135 and I have looked at the bigger Miller power supplies that would be used with a remote feeder.

The older and bigger machines take up too much space and power and they need a lot of items added to get the same capability of a new dedicated 252 mig or Dynasty 260. I only have single phase power and only 50 amp service to the garage, so I am limited there.

The Dynasty is big money but you might consider the features it has vs. what your power supply would offer, vs the cost difference. A dynasty could travel to another location without too much trouble as well. My 135 mig was great because it was portable and ran on many 120v circuits, but the amperage or lack of it is a drawback as well. The Dynasty/inverter machines are said to be more capable at the same amperage than what a sine wave or syncrowave machine is. Your big machine seems to be an inverter, but I doubt you could fine tune the arc for tig like you can on the Dynasty.

I am not sure if you are wanting to limit your spending overall, or just limit what you put into the machine you have. Sometimes a less expensive solution can turn into a more expensive solution with some drawbacks, by time it is all said and done.

 

[zkling]

Wow, alright you guys speak another language...but I'm glad that you do! Thanks!
So I have Delta? And I'm looking for a nema? 15-60 plug & recptacle at a decent price?
AND some #6 wire...
Really starting to think it would be easier AND cheaper to go with separate welders?

Yep, unless you are putting together a production shop you'll be better off with separate ~200 amp machines. The 450XMT is a heavy production power-source for running large wire and stick electrodes where high deposition rate is needed. While it can run DC tig, that is not what it was designed for. For the average guy welding ~3/8" and less it is beyond overkill. A 304 is one thing but the 450 is just laughable.

Downside is, and what the seller probably was starting to realize, there is little used market for them unless you happen to run across a small business that is willing to purchase used. As you are finding out, they aren't very practical for a home user.

 

['sallgood]

Call Miller cust support.That's something to NOT ask a bunch of wrench polishers.

 

[Steve from Socal]

I have an XMT 450 and it is about 55~60 amps on 240, it will actually run on 240 single phase at 1.73X the 3 phase current.

You realize that you will need 4/4 SOOW if you use a rubber cord. Depending on your needs you want to consider seal tight and THHN. I have my welders on 480 and use L16-30 twist locks, the low voltage amperage is up in the big dollar range no matter how you do it.



Steve

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Call Miller cust support.That's something to NOT ask a bunch of wrench polishers.

Say what?

 

[donmillerx]

Great, thanks for all the info everybody! Not sure I understand it all but I'm doing my homework.
I've got a millermatic 200 already and really just wanted a dynasty as well... I rarely want to stick weld these days. But I guess I might be stuck with the XMT, at least for now.

I still haven't gotten it set up yet and I'm curious to see how it welds.
But if anyone out there might be interested in a trade, let me know.

I'll report back after I run a few beads.
Thanks again!