Welder wiring up double check.

[csmitty]

About to get around to finally hooking up my slightly used Maxstar 200. According to Miller @230V 175A 60% Duty cycle output it will draw 17.4A. It will go to 200A @30-40% duty cycle but doesn't list the draw on it. I've got a left over 30A DP breaker that I was planning on using. Running 10/3 (2 power and ground) to the wall plug. then making a extension out of the same 10/3 into the welder.

Bueno?

any particular type of cable really needed for the wall run? Or just some normal service cord fine?

I've also considered running 8/3 in the wall with anticipation of possibly using a large MIG welder as well at some point. That would draw probably 40A. Then could just change the breaker and or plug to 40A and use both machines at the same outlet, not at the same time obviously. I guess it'd get alittle worried for the little maxstar running on the larger 40A circuit in the event something happened.

had a guy come out and quote about a 4' run from the box, straight down to the plug. $635. I'm in the wrong business.

 

[snowphun]

had a guy come out and quote about a 4' run from the box, straight down to the plug. $635. I'm in the wrong business.

I hear that, I got some very high quotes for my recent 220v run. I did find it was easy to get a lot of quotes, electricians in my area are hungry for business (even if some of them won't budge on pricing), so I was able to get a fair deal. I also added a few other circuits at the same time and it didn't add much to the price.

 

[mrb]

the romex you would be using should be 10/2 and 8/2. the /3 has 3 wires plus ground. for the extension cord, you need 10/3 or 8/3 SO Cord. (cord counts all the wires, so /3 has three wires including the ground) you should not be making an extension out of romex

 

[csmitty]

ah, romex was what I was drawing a blank on. I couldn't remember if it counted the ground.

This is what I was planning on for an extension for the Maxstar. Takin from Mcmaster.

Type
Multiconductor Cable and Cord

Multiconductor Cable and Cord Type
Service Cord

Cable Type
SEOOW

Volts
600 VAC

Amps
30

Gauge (AWG)
10

Number of Conductors
3

Outside Diameter
.66"

Length
Cut-to-length (per foot)

Available Lengths
10, 25, 50, 100, and 250 feet

Maximum Continuous Length
250'

Shielded
Unshielded

Conductor Type
Stranded

Conductor Material
Copper

Conductor Insulation Material
Thermoplastic Rubber (Elastomer)

Jacket Material
Thermoplastic Rubber (Elastomer)

Jacket Color
Black

Insulation Cord Color(s)
Black, White, Green

Temperature Range
-58° to +221° F (-50° to +105° C)

Indoor/Outdoor Use
Indoor/Outdoor

Specifications Met
Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Underwriters Laboratories (UL)

CSA Specification
CSA Certified

UL Specification
UL Listed

 

[Steevo]

had a guy come out and quote about a 4' run from the box, straight down to the plug. $635. I'm in the wrong business.

No kidding!

At $635 per receptacle for 220v outlets, I'd have had to pay almost $6k for the 220v runs I put in my shop. Sure glad I am able to do this kind of work myself. I couldn't afford to pay someone to do electrical, plumbing, etc.

I don't begrudge the professional for making his wage, earning based on his skill, knowledge, experience, etc. I just could not afford to do a lot of the things I do if I had to hire out everything.

 

[sberry]

I guess it'd get alittle worried for the little maxstar running on the larger 40A circuit in the event something happened.

The Maxstar has its own thermal protection and can run on circuits up to 50A. The minim wire for this machine is number 12,,, but that is single circuit in pipe, if using cable like Romex it needs to be up one size to 10 which is a good idea anyway.
As far as I know only one 250A class wire feeder (and machines with 50A plugs) requires number 8, the MM251/252. With only a few feet the cost is minimal to run an 8/50, will run any machine with factory 50A plug. The 252 will run above its "rated output" with special gas and setups, most way beyond what any typical home/hobby garage could or would ever use. Most garages in this class are a one wire one gas setup running short circuit, never pulling above 40A with limited duty cycles. As I recall my 255 hit about 38 or so with 035 wire.

 

[csmitty]

The Maxstar has its own thermal protection and can run on circuits up to 50A. The minim wire for this machine is number 12,,, but that is single circuit in pipe, if using cable like Romex it needs to be up one size to 10 which is a good idea anyway.
As far as I know only one 250A class wire feeder (and machines with 50A plugs) requires number 8, the MM251/252. With only a few feet the cost is minimal to run an 8/50, will run any machine with factory 50A plug. The 252 will run above its "rated output" with special gas and setups, most way beyond what any typical home/hobby garage could or would ever use. Most garages in this class are a one wire one gas setup running short circuit, never pulling above 40A with limited duty cycles. As I recall my 255 hit about 38 or so with 035 wire.

Thanks for the input! I hadn't read about the internal protection.

Yea I saw the 212 would have been under 40A it seemed. And even then it'd wouldn't be a sustained load which I believe there are provisions for in the electrical ratings. Being only 5' at the max the cost would be pretty negligible. If I could find a good deal on a 252 I'd def. get one but a 212 would be plenty for what I do.

So I guess the question would be what wall plug to put in for the most uses. Run that 8ga and a 50A breaker/plug, then 50A male on the Maxstar and future MIG. Or just the 10 and a 40A considering I'll probably never hit that and if so it'd be for a short period.

I'm planning on making up some extensions using NEMA twist lock plugs to take the maxstar between the diff. voltages I might encounter when taking that places, again just hobby use, helping out buddies. So that would be handy to have one say 20' for that both the maxstar and millermatic could use. I had planned on 10ga SO cord for that, so if a millermatic would be fine with 10ga service wiring i'd imagine that would be fine for the same extension as well. Since those extensions would get expensive. Connectors mainly.

 

[electrican]

that sounds like about a hour's worth of work, i would do it for 60 bucks plus materials!

 

[mrb]

that sounds like about a hour's worth of work, i would do it for 60 bucks plus materials!

are you a licensed contractor? if so how in the world can you work that cheap?

 

[csmitty]

Probably 30 mins.

 

[Ford12508]

A 4' run and you guys say more than 20 mins? must be union workers

 

[electrican]

been doing electrical work since 1986, i have a c-10 license in California but it is inactivated. they give those things to anybody

 

[mrb]

been doing electrical work since 1986, i have a c-10 license in California but it is inactivated. they give those things to anybody

in 1986, i suppose you could have worked for $60/hr

keep that license for sure, never know when that will come in handy

 

[electrican]

i am just thankful to have a job

 

[5-0stank]

I had a question when I wired up my 220v line for my Hobart, and I just called them, and they were very eager to help.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If your thinking of buying a large welder later, but in the bigger wire now, even if you want to use the smaller breaker.

I'm a bit surprised your welder does not have a 4 wires (2 hots, neutral and ground). All electric dryers went to 4 wire over 10 years ago (just had to upgrade a cord on an old after installing a new outlet).

All of the commercial equipment I used to deal with was 5 conductor (3 phase, neutral, ground).

With 8 gauge wire, I would consider using conduit and using THNN.

SOOW would be a bit more flexible than SEOOW, but probably more expensive.