Welder plugging into dryer outlet?

[KevinM]

I am trying to find a way to run my 3 prong Miller 175 in my garage, which has a 4 prong dryer outlet. Can't seem to find the right parts to make an extention cord to go from a 4 prong dryer outlet to a 3 prong welder.

This problem has probably been addressed before but I can't find any answers. Any suggestions?

Kevin

[Mcstiff]

if you are making a extention cord just go to home depot or a electric suppliy store and buy the right ends along with the correct cable for the length you need (10/3, 8/3, ect)

[u2slow]

You probably won't find a dryer socket female cord end

Just buy the same basic dryer socket you have in your house, a box that it fits in, and a proper box connector for rubber extension cord.

[Hiapo]

Originally Posted by u2slow

You probably won't find a dryer socket female cord end

Just buy the same basic dryer socket you have in your house, a box that it fits in, and a proper box connector for rubber extension cord.

?

He doesnt need that, he needs the 4 prong male adapter, some wire with a welder outlet at the end of it.

I wouldnt do it that way I guess, but what ever works, what gauge wire it going to the dryer outlet?

[u2slow]

Doh! yah okay...

You can take a replacement dryer cord (or cut one off at the dump ) and put a female welder plug on it.

If you need it longer, use a 4"x4" square box to splice the dryer cord together with an extension cord.

[bigun]

Go to your home store buy a four wire dryer cord, a 4 square deep box with 1 inch knock outs, a one inch romex connector, a 4 square industrial cover with a round hole big enough to fit a three hole 30A dryer recep.and a ground screw(regular #10 screw will do). When wiring cut back enough of the outer covering (8 to 10 inches) to make it easier to work with, intall clamp on cord so that it is on outer covering tighten it enough to hold but not crush wire, oh before you do this take off nut on clamp insert wire and clamp into hole inside of box slide nut over wire and tighten, strip out enough of ground wire insulation to wrap arond screw and put in ground hole provided in box, take top cover and recep. and use screws provided to bolt them togather you may have to trim recep to do this but you'll notice that there are breaks already built in all you have to do is break them off, wireing recep is easy as the show wich wire goes where. Then just bolt cover down making sure not to pinch wire. Sorry for long explaination but electricty is nothing to fool with and I would rather seem wordy than take the chance of someone getting hurt.

[TLCObsession]

Originally Posted by bigun

Go to your home store buy a four wire dryer cord, a 4 square deep box with 1 inch knock outs, a one inch romex connector, a 4 square industrial cover with a round hole big enough to fit a three hole 30A dryer recep.......

Close, but make the 30A receptical a WELDER recep. and this will work great.

In my case, I bought a 100 ft 12 AWG extension cord for Costco, put a dryer plug on one end and a welder box on the other. Now I can take my welder to the house (cause in the shop I have outlets for it) or to a buddies.

Now my welder only pulls 20A, and before everyone gets their panties in a bunch, I have never felt the cord ever get warm....

Jim

[Eric]

Originally Posted by TLCObsession

Now my welder only pulls 20A, and before everyone gets their panties in a bunch, I have never felt the cord ever get warm....

Jim

It won't get hot since your duty cycle is way too short.

[TLCObsession]

Originally Posted by Eric

It won't get hot since your duty cycle is way too short.

Never had a problem with duty cycle, and the 175 is basically the same unit I have... IIRC 30% - but it sure isn't going to cause a fire either.

[Orionn]

For a four wire dryer plug, you have two complete 120V legs, just tie the common wires (white) together to make it a three wire setup.

Myself, I ran another 30amp breaker in my main box and ran 10/3 to the garage into another 30amp and box with a recepticle on the wall. I also hard wired an 8/3 strand drop cord (30ft) I made up.

I used 3 prong 220V 50amp recepicles in both the wall mount and the drop cord. The drop cord uses a 4" steel box on the end. The repticles are Lenox I belive.

I am running a MM175, older CH compressor, and Hypermax 600 plasma cutter off of it with no problems.
I had to source the parts from both Lowes and Home Depot though.

[Urban Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Orionn

For a four wire dryer plug, you have two complete 120V legs, just tie the common wires (white) together to make it a three wire setup.

Yes, four prong and three prong are really no different, just that four prong has a neutral and "chassis" ground, (best way I can think of to put it) and the three prong combines them. Easiest thing for you would probably be to just put a new cord on your welder.

[jasonmt]

Just go to your local electrical wholesale and buy a NEMA 14-30P (Plug), should be about $12-15 and Home Despot et al. likely will not carry it. The other end will need to be a NEMA 6-50R (Receptacle) to match the plug on your 175.

[KevinM]

Perfect! Thanks for the responses. That pic is worth 1000 words. I bought that exact plug from the local electrical supply store, 25' of 8/3 wire, a heavy duty box, cord clamp, and the 6-50 female for the welder. I was confused as to which blade not to use on the 4 prong end. Now I know.

Thanks

Kevin