need help setting up for welding

[micmac]

I'm in the process of finishing off my basement and I'm getting all the wiring done prior to sheet-rock. I have a compressor in my garage that I wired for 220 single phase using a 20 amp breaker per the manufacturer. My question is will this outlet also meet the requirements for a MiG welder if I get one in the future? I would like to be able to unplug the compressor and use the outlet for the welder.

Do the welders require single or dual phase?

Do they need a 20 or 30 amp breaker?

Thanks in advance

Mike

[rdr]

I'm in the process of finishing off my basement and I'm getting all the wiring done prior to sheet-rock. I have a compressor in my garage that I wired for 220 single phase using a 20 amp breaker per the manufacturer. My question is will this outlet also meet the requirements for a MiG welder if I get one in the future? I would like to be able to unplug the compressor and use the outlet for the welder.

Do the welders require single or dual phase?

Do they need a 20 or 30 amp breaker?

Thanks in advance

Mike

mike it all depends onwhat size you get around 175 amps mig you might get around it but if you go to 250 amps you will need at least 60 amps breaker that's for mig welders if you go tig you will need atlease120 amp breaked or more all depends on what you are wanting to do Miller - Welding Equipment - MIG/TIG/Stick Welders & Plasma Cutting they should have all your info you need robbie

[liflod]

My cheap little wire feed welder works on 110V 15A. I think my stick welder is 220/50A. When you buy a welder, buy one that is compatible with your compressor circuit. Most of the little migs will run on 110 or 220 and draw less than 20 A.

[micmac]

Thanks for the info guys i don't know that much about welding but I'd like to be able to fab a bumper for my max and do other small projects. I figured I would the options before I sheet-rock everything in.

Mike

[liflod]

I checked on a Lincoln mig that runs 220v. The specs said it was 20 amp. I think you'll be fine with your 20A service for your compressor.

[micmac]

Thanks lance looks like it will work.

[hdble]

Hi folks,
I have a lincoln 255c, and a 200 amp tig in my garage,both require a 50 amp breaker.

[micmac]

Here is one from Lincoln that uses 220 and 20 amp.

http://content.lincolnelectric.com/pdfs/products/literature/e724.pdf

[micmac]

Here is one that says 20.5 amps. I'm not a welder so help me out. Is this at full draw or would it draw more than this? I wonder if this would trip the 20 amp breaker?

http://www.hobartwelders.com/pdf/spec_sheets/Handler_187.pdf

[liflod]

That is full rated current. You would have to be doing some serious welding to blow the 20A breaker with that one. Most of the welding that you would be doing on ATV stuff would be using half power or less and then only a few welds at a time. The other thing that will cause alot more current draw is extension cord length and wire size. Also the length of the run from your breaker box to your outlet will affect the current draw.

If you are in doubt, increase the wire size between the breaker box and outlet to a size that will handle 30 Amps. You can still use the 20 amp breaker for now, but if it does trip , you can safely up the size of the breaker. I would just make sure the welder you buy can run from a 20A service.

[Meinfield]

Mike,
I bought a little 140Amp 120volt wire feed welder last year, and I have been teaching myself to weld. I think if I had it to do all over again I would by a little bigger welder, probably at least a 180A 220v unit. This is based on my limited welding experience, but my 140A will not hold a high setting for very long before it needs to cool (it has a lower duty cycle compared to a 220 v) so on the bigger jobs, it takes a lot of “ cooling time” to get a high quality weld. The cost difference was a couple hundred bucks, probably money well spent. Also, I have a dedicated 20A breaker and have tripped it on occasion.
Good luck on you shop!
Chris

[micmac]

Thanks Chris and Lance,

I have to check the gauge of the wire I used but I'm pretty sure I used the heavier gauge stuff when I wired the compressor so stepping up to 30 amps shouldn't be a problem. Chris thanks for the input I'll stick with the 220 ones. The Hobart one looks like it has a lot of nice features for the price and has gotten good reviews. I don't know anything about the brands, I assume the name brand ones are all close in quality?

mike

[hdble]

My 2 cents worth,
I am a tool and die maker, and a certifed welder, not an electican, my welders and the ones at work say 30 amp, if you do alot of tacking of parts or steady welding at warmer temperatures the breakers will get warm and pop. The Electrican at the shop, installed a 50 amp circut as per lincoln for severe duty welding. The welders at work are 220 single phase also.
For the 180 amp welder a 30 amp breaker should be plenty.
Just my 2 cents worth.

[micmac]

hdble,

thanks for the insight. I checked and I had wired the compressor with 10 gauge 3 wire with ground so a 30 amp breaker should be no problem. looks like I should be good to go. Now I just need the $ for the welder. So many toys so little $.....

[rdr]

Thanks Chris and Lance,

I have to check the gauge of the wire I used but I'm pretty sure I used the heavier gauge stuff when I wired the compressor so stepping up to 30 amps shouldn't be a problem. Chris thanks for the input I'll stick with the 220 ones. The Hobart one looks like it has a lot of nice features for the price and has gotten good reviews. I don't know anything about the brands, I assume the name brand ones are all close in quality?

mike

mike the hobart is own and made by miller .. i have 2 portables and 2 elec at home .it's all i do for a living miller makes a DVI they call it it runs 110 or 220 volts mig it's a nice mechine i have both guns and love it i allso have a bobcat 225 and a miller bluestar 3500 i can't say enought about true blue .and a miller maxestar 150 tig robbie