Multi-Function Welder Power Cord Plug

[robrob]

Just wanted to show how I wired my Longevity LS-200PI welder/cutter's 240 volt power cord plug. This is the back side of the plug. The green ground wire goes to the central ground pin, the black wire was connected to the narrow blade, and the white wire was connected to the wide blade.

[bradler451]

did you run a dedicated circuit for the plug and is that the plug that comes with the 220pi.Also how long is the cord they give?

[Gadget]

The 200PI units come with about a 10 foot cord but you have to get your own plug. They are about 8 bucks at the hardware store. You will need a matching outlet too if you don't already have one.

[KHK]

For fire and safty concerns, you should have a dedicated circut for the welder.

[robrob]

did you run a dedicated circuit for the plug and is that the plug that comes with the 220pi.Also how long is the cord they give?

I already had a 240 volt outlet in my garage. I simply bought the matching male plug from Home Depot for $14. If you don't have a 240 volt outlet an electrician can install one for you. I think the 200PI's cord is 14 feet long and I made an extension cord from 25 feet of 10/3 stranded cord from Home Depot.

[Uncle Ed]

*For others that may read this thread*

Welders are flakey if they get starved of juice and my cord is more like a 6 footer.

I have to roll my welders all over the shop so, until I get around to adding more outlets, I made up a 75 foot extension cord out of 10/3 stranded cord. When you are max'ing out a branch circuit you don't want to throw voltage drop over a long cable into the mix.

My stock cord is 12 awg which is good for 20 amps. There is such a thing as "welder duty rating" that allows you to use smaller wire and circuit breakers due to a limited duty cycle and lesser chance of over heating the wire. But like a loud stereo - you want a wire that will provide the welder with the punch needed during surge requirements like striking an arc and when you get your rod stuck

You can use 12 awg for a short extension but over 20 feet I feel better with 10 awg for longer lengths. Also, you are better off with a long extension rather than connecting a bunch of small ones due to blade loss at each connection. A weak connection at a plug or receptacle will overheat and fry or make an intermittent connection, like switching the welder on and off many times a second, that will damage the electronics.

Use a good heavy duty plug and outlet like for dryers and ranges (30-50 amp) rather than the cheaper 20 amp rated outlets ESPECIALLY if you plan to use extension cords. Don't install a choke point for all them electrons yer gonna need.
I wound up using a 50 dryer plug on the extension cord as that's what my outlet is and a 30 amp Twist-Lok pair on the welder as that's what I had on hand.

Be safe and let the sparks fly in the right place.

Ed

[bradler451]

Well that would answers my questions thank you all very much!~~~

[Arcamm]

So to hook up a Weldall 200PI, you would use a 30 amp breaker, 10 awg wire and a 30 amp plug and receptical? Could you use a 20 amp breaker and 20 amp plug and receptical?

[Gadget]

I don't think you can get away with a 20 amp circuit Arcamm.

[Arcamm]

Better to be safe, so I'll a 30.

Thanks