I was wondering what the best way to weld somthing that is far (like about 100 feet) from an outlet is? I mean should I use a cord on the outlet side, or buy long leads? Or is 100 feet to long a distance? I have a Lincoln 225 AC.

Thanks

JYS

Well 50' is about max if you need the full power of the welder. A 100 feet of 8-3 cord is going to be ~100.00!!

Actualy I can get 8-3 from Lowes for $0.67 per foot, but thats a lot cheaper that 200 foot of welding leads. My big concern is voltage drop through resistance in the wire. (and I would use 6-3 minimum).

JYS

Originally posted by Old Scout
Well 50' is about max if you need the full power of the welder. A 100 feet of 8-3 cord is going to be ~100.00!!

You need to shop better, my 100' extension was way less than that when I made it. The 6/3 30 footer I made once though was ummmm pricey.

Originally posted by mike


You need to shop better, my 100' extension was way less than that when I made it. The 6/3 30 footer I made once though was ummmm pricey.

Yea yea the cord is about 60-70 and the ends are 10.00/15.00 ea. :flipoff2:

Well I never add the ends, I mean who doesnt have those lying around? :flipoff2:


In all seriousness. I've done it both ways (longer extension and longer cables) sometimes an extensions easier, sometimes the cables are. If its all rough dirt and grass I'll haul cables any day than move a welder

Its all based on circumstances is it a one time job or is it constantly going to be used 100' away can the welder be stored out there... and on and on if it going to be out there 100% of the time or 90% its nice to be able to adjust the welder right where your working. As far as voltage drops concerned millrights at the sawmills I used to work at (I'm a electrician) used to run them way farther than 100' but then again these where large welders.

If its totalyy tempory theres many ways to jimmy rig it so you don't have to spend to much.

personaly, i don't like moving the welder, the damn thing weighs a ton.

i have an extra electrode wire that i can use to add another 15ft to the electrode (just use the clamp on the end of the first one to clamp onto the second one)

and if my ground is too short, i use an old set of 4ga jumper cables, using both wires going to the work.

note that 95% of the time, the standard leads are long enough that's why i just use the above temp setup when i just can't reach. if you're looking for something more permanant, i'd still suggest lengthening the leads, just do it in a more permanant manner.


this is with a Lincon 225Amp arc box, i've done 225amp welding using the extra wires without any problems, the wires are still cool to the touch when i get done and the weld looks clean.

My electrian ran 85' of cord for me, parts cost was $125 (i suppleied the ends) so that was more or less jsut for the cord.

have you considered just renting a gas powered welder or a generator to power your welder for the day?

I did mine with 60ft of inslated 10-3. I love it, it works awesome. It's pretty much the same thing as inside of the walls, I don't think another 40 ft. would phase it.

http://offroadrepublic.com/fj40/tech-welder/welderplug.jpg


I have a mig, so extending the line isn't as simple.
~dso