I'm thinkng to install a L6-30 twist lock outlet for my Miller 180. (I will probably cut off the 50 amp plug and put the twist lock on the factory cord rather than making an adapter.) Does L10-30 offer any advantage over L6-30?
Extension Cord for Welder
- Thread starter BJ42LX
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I'm thinkng to install a L6-30 twist lock outlet for my Miller 180. (I will probably cut off the 50 amp plug and put the twist lock on the factory cord rather than making an adapter.) Does L10-30 offer any advantage over L6-30?
R.Anderson
Well-known member
14awg can handle 18amps according to wire/cable manufactures, and the miller passport input at 230v is 18A so im guessing some other welders the same size are running the same input. So maybe the power cord has to be rated for the machine and the plug has to be rated equal or greater than the machine/power cord. I don't know what codes or standards apply.
jrlp
Well-known member
Keep the mvp plug. It comes in handy. I even put one on my dynasty. I use a 50' 10 gauge extension that has 220 plugs on both sides, with a 110 to 220 adapter. Keeps it safer than the alternative. You can always put a 220 plug on the welder and splice the mvp cord to the end of the extension cord. So it can straight plug into a 220 plug, and have a Female 220 to male 110. Better than the opposite and plug a 110v tool into 220. Btw my 7" grinder flies at 220v. That's why I redid the cord lol
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R.Anderson
Well-known member
Not that I know of its just what I had on hand, I think I got em from a auction several years ago.
R.Anderson
Well-known member
yup it is, I like the ability of plugging into 115/120 or 230/240. The only thing I don't like is the MVP plug sticks out alot from a outlet.
Alchymist
Well-known member
Manufacturers get away with the light cords because of the length. Short lengths of 14 will have negligible voltage drop compared to a 25 foot extension. Only restriction is heat, ie, cord doesn't overheat.
sberry
Banned
There is a limit to it,,, it wont overheat the 14 on a passport but the cord is not rated for short circuit of 50A,,, its why you see 30 or 35 A breaker rating,,, say in a 180 mig,, that is the max when using the min 14 wire,,, once you use a 12 can go to 50A
When the machine comes with factory 50A plug it is allowed to be plugged in to 50A circuits providing the wire is adequate.
When the machine comes with factory 50A plug it is allowed to be plugged in to 50A circuits providing the wire is adequate.
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jrlp
Well-known member
50' is the max I'd use 10 gauge for, at 220v for welding/plasma. I do have a 10 gauge 100' with a double gang outlet box at the end for 4 110v receptacles.
I've plasma'd/welded on my 50' 10g cords for hours without overheating them in 110 degree weather. Hell, I've actually run 150' in 10 gauge, on 110v to finish a job before I had my bobcat in my truck. Ran about 60 pounds of 5/32" 6013 off 120V plug on 150' extension cord. Thankfully I have a very efficient inverter and was able to use much higher arc voltage and get awesome welds. Nothing like looking back and seeing 10' of slag peeling up like a snake skin!
I've plasma'd/welded on my 50' 10g cords for hours without overheating them in 110 degree weather. Hell, I've actually run 150' in 10 gauge, on 110v to finish a job before I had my bobcat in my truck. Ran about 60 pounds of 5/32" 6013 off 120V plug on 150' extension cord. Thankfully I have a very efficient inverter and was able to use much higher arc voltage and get awesome welds. Nothing like looking back and seeing 10' of slag peeling up like a snake skin!
saabman
Well-known member
I reconfigure all of my 240 volt gear for twist lock power. I have 20 amp and 30 amp extension cords made of 10 ga SO cable, with male/female twist locks. These allow me to move the welder anywhere in the shop.
welder4956
Well-known member
I had mine out using it yesterday, so I got a photo for you. This is 50 ft. of 10/3 SO cord.
I'm the OP and here's my final solution: 50' Carol 12/3 SOOW cord, Pass and Seymour L6-50R for the welder, P&S 6-20P plug for the 240V outlet in the garage.
Details:
Cord: I was originally planning on 10/3 cord. In the end I went with 12/3 because that's what Miller recommends for the 211 and I didn't want it to be too heavy or unmanageable. 12/3 SOOW cord is $1.38 at HD. I scored a deal on eBay; 50' Carol SOOW for $50 delivered.
L6-50R: The 211 comes with a big 50A connector. theOldWizard1 gave me a link to a guy selling one on eBay. BIN for $50 or Make Offer. He accepted my offer of $35. Thanks OldWizard!
6-20P: $10 at HD
Details:
Cord: I was originally planning on 10/3 cord. In the end I went with 12/3 because that's what Miller recommends for the 211 and I didn't want it to be too heavy or unmanageable. 12/3 SOOW cord is $1.38 at HD. I scored a deal on eBay; 50' Carol SOOW for $50 delivered.
L6-50R: The 211 comes with a big 50A connector. theOldWizard1 gave me a link to a guy selling one on eBay. BIN for $50 or Make Offer. He accepted my offer of $35. Thanks OldWizard!
6-20P: $10 at HD
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I think 12/3 was a good choice. I'm about to retire an aging 10/3 cord and go with 12/3 and twist locks for my Miller 180. I never use the 180 anywhere near rated duty (have a stick welder for the heavy stuff) so the 10/3 was just overkill and a hassle to put up. I might even use SJOOW which has a thinner jacket than SOOW.
chinaclipper
Active member
- Joined
- May 19, 2013
- Messages
- 27
What can I use for my 90A HF welder? It runs 120V but requires a 20A circuit, which I have downstairs in my basement. Do I need the 8g or <? Ideally I know. I am a "just started to weld" hobbyist and see me doing maybe 2-3 welding jobs a year. Maybe.
Most recently I am learning to spot weld so I can replace some rocker panels on my 2001 F150.
I run the welder in the garage...... 50 feet would work.
Most recently I am learning to spot weld so I can replace some rocker panels on my 2001 F150.
I run the welder in the garage...... 50 feet would work.
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Local HW was closing and picked up a 300' roll of 8/3 SO cable. Made two extensions, 100' & 200', with the same 240V box connectors as WELDER4956 used for theirs. I split my stove feed with fused switches and installed the box receptacle near my basement window. The extensions go to the yard (100') or my shop (200') out back. Been working great for years through Winter and Summer.
R.Anderson
Well-known member
50ft. 10/3 extension cord will do for that size welder.
chinaclipper
Active member
- Joined
- May 19, 2013
- Messages
- 27
Thanks! Went shopping and found the cord for $50 with a coupon at HF.
Go check it out in-store. Many (most?) of the less expensive cords/cables have a plastic outer sheath which is not very pliable and is a real pain in the cold weather.
The expensive stuff is typically mad of rubber and is much nicer to work with.
Wildfire
Well-known member
Anything wrong with replacing the standard 6' cord with a longer one?
If so, #10 or #8 for a 25' cord?
Looked inside my Miller 180 today and its two connectors attached in the right spots... Looks pretty straight forward to me.
If so, #10 or #8 for a 25' cord?
Looked inside my Miller 180 today and its two connectors attached in the right spots... Looks pretty straight forward to me.
sberry
Banned
You can do that, most of the time the machine holds a little value when its all stock but thats probably moot here.
As for the cord. If you look at the manual it allows for 14 but the unit comes with a 12. The machine would run fine from 50 ft of 14 but to be legal on the input wiring the breaker would need to be kept to 35, the short circuit listing of a 14. When we use a 12 cord, add thermal protection just after the switch which protecte the machine and its lighter internals we can use this machine on a common welder circuit to 50A.
There arer other minor technical differences most over my head with new machine but what it means to u is add any cord 12 up to 50 ft or so, will even run it at 100. Any cord better than that wont hurt, I used a 70 ft 10 on one of those for years.
If its a regular use thing I like to run a wire and outlet. If you are using all small machines a 12 will suffice for that. The main incentive to a number 8 is the cost. You can buy it molded end, osha deal, nema rated for any unit in its class etc. Folr someone wringing out the top end of a 252 in spray process in 3 man welding shop you need that cord.
I got the machine, got the shop, still use a 25 ft 10, I never, dont even own the gas for that process, my machine even has big 8 cord on it. In my case if it was the case would be near a 50A 100% circuit, plug direct but with a 180 are adding a wire to it as good as comes on it and better than the requirements of the machine with a 12.
sberry
Banned
Yes you can, its a great deal, the ready made cords are a bargain.