Extension cable for welder

[willy3486]

I have one of the older Lincoln AC225 arc welders,probably from the 70s. They only put a cable maybe 4 feet for the 220 in. I have made a table for the welder that it mounts under. I can roll it outside so I can weld. But I need to make a extension cable of about 10 feet. I need to make a extension cable so I can take it to the outside of my shop. I know I will need stranded but what size do I need? Would I need to go with 10/2 , 8/2, 6/2?

 

[Red Green]

I made mine out of 10/2 wire. Menards sells it in a roll of 25ft if I remember correctly.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

If you can, buy one of these and never look back:

Welder Extension Cord

 

[Norcal]

I made mine out of 10/2 wire. Menards sells it in a roll of 25ft if I remember correctly.

10/2 would be Romex (NM) or UF cable, a flexible cord would be 10/3 as all conductors are counted.

 

[Red Green]

10/2 would be Romex (NM) or UF cable, a flexible cord would be 10/3 as all conductors are counted.

OK. One that was here when we bought the shop was 10/2 romex. The one I made was the stranded 10/3 then. Its like extra thick extension cord material.

 

[Professur]

I had my 50' cord made from 2 of those yellowjacket generator cords that I got dirt cheap at surplus. 10/4,

 

[fflintstone]

I have one of the older Lincoln AC225 arc welders,probably from the 70s. They only put a cable maybe 4 feet for the 220 in. I have made a table for the welder that it mounts under. I can roll it outside so I can weld. But I need to make a extension cable of about 10 feet. I need to make a extension cable so I can take it to the outside of my shop. I know I will need stranded but what size do I need? Would I need to go with 10/2 , 8/2, 6/2?

you want to use a 6GA cable for 50A
make it at least 25' long. you will kick yourself @ 10'
I made mine 30' and wish it was 50'

 

[nate379]

My cord is either 75 or 100 ft and it seems to be about the right length. It's nice to be able to wheel the welder outside and work in the driveway if I need to.

 

[Stuart in MN]

What wire gauge did Lincoln use for the power cord that's on it now? For an extension cord that's going to be only ten feet long I'd just use the same size wire.

 

[Norcal]

What wire gauge did Lincoln use for the power cord that's on it now? For an extension cord that's going to be only ten feet long I'd just use the same size wire.

Not really a good idea, the conductors are prob. 12 AWG.

 

[noslo04]

SOOW cord. Highly flexible and oil/weather resistant.

 

[AussieDan]

While 10/3 SOOW will run the welder it's only rated for 30A per NEC 400.5(A) Col B, you want to use at least 8/3 (rated 40A) or ideally 6/3 (rated 55A).

The northerntool extension linked above is a good deal, 8/3 SOOW is going to run you at least $2/ft and the ends are not cheap.

I have a 25ft from weldingdepot which is even cheaper:

25ft http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/weldingdepot/8/3-25ext.html
50ft http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/weldingdepot/8/3-50ext.html

 

[sberry]

A number 10 is fine for that machine.

 

[jam0o0]

when in doubt with welders get the bigger cord. you will thank yourself later. or actually you wont. because with the right cord you will never know you are using it. with a cord that is even a little too small you will notice in the quality of weld and the penetration you can get.

 

[kenikh]

If you can, buy one of these and never look back:

Welder Extension Cord

OOOOOOOHHH...tasty:

 

[compman25]

And here's the same Century cord at http://www.amazon.com/Century%C2%AE-25-ft-Welder-Cord/dp/B002ECKP5M for $49

 

[AussieDan]

Nice find!

 

[nate379]

I have to wonder how they don't loose money on that. The ends are about $40 on their own and the cord is about $2-2.25ft.

25ft would not be big enough to get around my garage though. I would say you need at least 50ft to be comfortable. Nothing ***** more than welding with the welder wheeled out as far as it will go and the leads pulled tight!... and then your Dad telling you he has about 500ft of extension cord in storage... why didn't I go get a piece?

 

[tatra]

yoo hoo , nate

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=75308

no more posting til we get an update............

 

[mrchuck]

I have the same old welder. Super heavy copper windings. I use a 50' extension I got from my welding supplier and it performs flawlessly!
This length gives me the length to work over my boat trailers, or any project needing it.
The welder stays inside the shop, next to the door.

 

[willy3486]

Talk about luck. I was off today and decieded to go out and clean my car area of my workshop. I also store other stuff like electrical in there as well. I needed to clean my shop because I made a new welding cart and I am putting in a parts washer I am fixing up for in there as well. So I had to move a few things to get it all to fit. I was cleaning a area where I store all kinds of wires and I went through to recycle the older wire. I found a really nice 3 wire cable that is a bigger gauge than the welder. I also have some ends so I can make one to use and not have to get one. I didn't remember the wire and I have no idea where it came from . Thanks for all the info folks.