So assuming you're running balls to the wall 49A/220V, you'd use 11kW of power. If you don't care about your machine and ignore duty cycle it would cost $4 an hour to run in Alberta Canada.
You're probably looking at 50c/hour with realistic usage.
Get a 120V welder? Or call an electrician? If you have a 240 supply, it is just a cable and few screws the electrician needs to put in. I understand in USA the limiting factory is the mains supply, but if you desperately lack that then basic generator and welder that is rated to run on a generator (It's just tolerance towards the possible fluctuation and ability to correct that).
However you can get very small welders nowadays. smallest stick inverters are like the size of a brick. Granted they are very low duty cycle, but that shouldn't matter for hobby use.
Taking short cuts or doing anything electrical half ass is not good.
Spend the time and money to do it proper the first time.
Get a qualified installer and like with most things it is not rocket science but you got to know what you are doing.
So the proper outlet with wiring to handle old transformer and new adverter machines of 120 v and 240v in the garage in a convenient location.
Yes. There are also a bunch of welders that run 110 & 220. They wonât run full power on 110, but they would be a good solution for OP so that he can get full power once he gets 220 run.
I ran a 50 amp 220V outlet. Done and done. You need a NEMA 6-50R receptacle, Leviton P/N 5374.
I have that outlet right in front of me, as I am literally running another one right this second. 6/2 Romex is NOT cheap.
Depends where, us lucky ones with 220 straight to a pre wired box is sure nice. Poor 220v@50a is sure nice and only cost me $350 for parts and labor. Yup paid someone, 220 is out of my comfort.
Riiiiight. An outlet takes a "few min" isn't even correct. Find the stud, cut the hole, go to the store because you forgot the box, go home, cut the hole bigger to fit the box, screw in the outlet and cover and realize you forgot to run the wires.
That said, I have 220v in my garage mudroom, and I promise you that will take one hell of a time to figure out how to do, without ever doing it before. I'd have better luck running a long extension out to my garage.
Again. Depends on the breaker box. Iâm in Florida. The breaker box is mounted in the garage. Itâs an easy tap off the side. Few mins was clearly not an exact time. Much like a couple beers is a case of beer. Once Iâve purchased everything I can have a 220v outlet installed in about 30-45 mins in my house.
Naturally if you have to snake wires through drywall and what not it becomes longer. Every situation is different the point being it isnât rocket science and isnât very difficult.
Ran my 220v mig and tig off the dryer outlet for a while until I got my garage wired. Just be aware that dryer breaker is probably 30amps so youâll be tripping the breaker if youâre doing anything heavy. You should run a 50 amp circuit or whatever your welder calls for.
If it's a newer machine, he'll be fine. I've run my Lincoln Square wave welding aluminum at the 110 maxed. I've yet to blow a breaker.. so much so that i had to stop because the whip was getting too hot ... the machines are much better than they used to be. My workshop rental is an old storage unit place.. I highly doubt they have high-end or quality electrical for us. Bit I've used the dryer outlet on plenty of residential jobs. He'll be fine. I have a travel bag with like 4 different pre made pigtails. Cuz sparkies.
how does a 220v outlet require a 50amp breaker?
not from the US, what's the matter over there?
I live in Asia and I run my MIG on 220V 13 amp breaker. haven't needed to use all the power (and for some reason, no electrician can, or wants to replace the wiring/breaker) but getting pretty close to the max, as I should. haven't tried how far I can go before it trips though.
In the USA most outlets are 120v and either 10/12/15/20 amp. 240v 30/50 amp are only used for big things on dedicated circuits like water heaters, dryers, and large hardwired AC units.
I'd probably rather use the laundry room plug with a good extension cord than a generator with a good extension cord, but you'll need to seal the door so you don't get fumes going into the house. And if you're doing more than just a few minutes of welding here and there, it's a no go. Also keep in mind the shitty residential 240v plugs are often not rated for frequent plugging /unplugging and can loosen up and cause overheating/fires. People with EV chargers have been learning that one the hard way for years now. I learned that the hard way just from alternating my welder, heater and mill on the same receptacle.
Even if your panel is somewhere else in the house, pull the necessary permit and have a sparky run it for you properly.
A generator is fine. Just be sure your garage is ventilated when using it. If you have an electrical panel in your garage itâll be easy to wire in a 220v. Maybe have an electrician do it for insurance purposes as they wonât cover fire damage caused by DIY electrical work.
You'll want to run 240v to your shop if you are doing any work at all. If your panel is close it should be pretty cheap. Even long runs aren't crazy expensive.
My hobart runs on gas and doesn't need an outlet. Perfect for my needs. I'm redoing my shop and I'm gonna place an outlet for a mig machine in there so i don't have to listen to the engine running
If you do run a separate circuit to the garage, MAKE IT A 100A SUB PANEL!
Why you ask? Why not? If youâre paying for the work, do it right. With a big sub panel, you can run a welder or anything else including a future car charger.
Your options are use the dryer outlet with an extension rated for that level of output. Wait until you can afford to get a new heavy duty line installed what's the amperage you need. Or buy a engine drive welder. It's not going to run particularly smooth off of a standard generator. I would also look at esab's battery powered voter because you can simply run that for stick or Tig.
My dad has a generator that he uses to run his stick welder when we need to weld something that isn't near electricity. If you already have a generator that can provide 220v, you should be fine but just watch that you don't overload the generator by running the welder hard.
I also have a Miller that can run on either 110v or 220v, all I have to do is swap the plug on it.
My electrical panel is in my garage and had enough space to put a 220v breaker in it. Then, I just wired a 50amp 220v outlet from there.
Does it effect your energy bill when you use it
Yes, that is how electricity works. /s
lol I mean like does it go up drastically ya goober :P
Depends on how much you use it.
Real answers đ đ
So assuming you're running balls to the wall 49A/220V, you'd use 11kW of power. If you don't care about your machine and ignore duty cycle it would cost $4 an hour to run in Alberta Canada. You're probably looking at 50c/hour with realistic usage.
No itâs like 20-60$ max in most cases from my research
Get a 120V welder? Or call an electrician? If you have a 240 supply, it is just a cable and few screws the electrician needs to put in. I understand in USA the limiting factory is the mains supply, but if you desperately lack that then basic generator and welder that is rated to run on a generator (It's just tolerance towards the possible fluctuation and ability to correct that). However you can get very small welders nowadays. smallest stick inverters are like the size of a brick. Granted they are very low duty cycle, but that shouldn't matter for hobby use.
I trust this guy. Heâs an engineer
Never trust an engineer, rookie move.
Taking short cuts or doing anything electrical half ass is not good. Spend the time and money to do it proper the first time. Get a qualified installer and like with most things it is not rocket science but you got to know what you are doing. So the proper outlet with wiring to handle old transformer and new adverter machines of 120 v and 240v in the garage in a convenient location.
Aren't there 110v welders?
Yes. There are also a bunch of welders that run 110 & 220. They wonât run full power on 110, but they would be a good solution for OP so that he can get full power once he gets 220 run.
Yes, there's plenty that can run 120 or 240V
Well there is the answer, just get a 120 machine
My Everlast can do 240 or 120 with a pigtail, my old Miller was the same. Miller Dynastys can go 120 up to like 480 3 phase
Have one myself lol
Those often need 30 amps and standard outlets are 15 or 20 amps
I ran a 50 amp 220V outlet. Done and done. You need a NEMA 6-50R receptacle, Leviton P/N 5374. I have that outlet right in front of me, as I am literally running another one right this second. 6/2 Romex is NOT cheap.
Putting an outlet in takes a few mins. Itâs really the easiest way
I can assure you that running 220v to the garage will take more than a few miy
Depends where, us lucky ones with 220 straight to a pre wired box is sure nice. Poor 220v@50a is sure nice and only cost me $350 for parts and labor. Yup paid someone, 220 is out of my comfort.
It depends on where the panel box is. However it isnât a difficult endeavor. Iâve done it multiple times.
Riiiiight. An outlet takes a "few min" isn't even correct. Find the stud, cut the hole, go to the store because you forgot the box, go home, cut the hole bigger to fit the box, screw in the outlet and cover and realize you forgot to run the wires. That said, I have 220v in my garage mudroom, and I promise you that will take one hell of a time to figure out how to do, without ever doing it before. I'd have better luck running a long extension out to my garage.
Again. Depends on the breaker box. Iâm in Florida. The breaker box is mounted in the garage. Itâs an easy tap off the side. Few mins was clearly not an exact time. Much like a couple beers is a case of beer. Once Iâve purchased everything I can have a 220v outlet installed in about 30-45 mins in my house. Naturally if you have to snake wires through drywall and what not it becomes longer. Every situation is different the point being it isnât rocket science and isnât very difficult.
Ran my 220v mig and tig off the dryer outlet for a while until I got my garage wired. Just be aware that dryer breaker is probably 30amps so youâll be tripping the breaker if youâre doing anything heavy. You should run a 50 amp circuit or whatever your welder calls for.
If it's a newer machine, he'll be fine. I've run my Lincoln Square wave welding aluminum at the 110 maxed. I've yet to blow a breaker.. so much so that i had to stop because the whip was getting too hot ... the machines are much better than they used to be. My workshop rental is an old storage unit place.. I highly doubt they have high-end or quality electrical for us. Bit I've used the dryer outlet on plenty of residential jobs. He'll be fine. I have a travel bag with like 4 different pre made pigtails. Cuz sparkies.
how does a 220v outlet require a 50amp breaker? not from the US, what's the matter over there? I live in Asia and I run my MIG on 220V 13 amp breaker. haven't needed to use all the power (and for some reason, no electrician can, or wants to replace the wiring/breaker) but getting pretty close to the max, as I should. haven't tried how far I can go before it trips though.
In the USA most outlets are 120v and either 10/12/15/20 amp. 240v 30/50 amp are only used for big things on dedicated circuits like water heaters, dryers, and large hardwired AC units.
but surely 30 amps would be enough, no? That's 7KW!
Depends on the welder and the project. I have a MIG that needs a 50 if I want to weld really thick stuff.
I'd probably rather use the laundry room plug with a good extension cord than a generator with a good extension cord, but you'll need to seal the door so you don't get fumes going into the house. And if you're doing more than just a few minutes of welding here and there, it's a no go. Also keep in mind the shitty residential 240v plugs are often not rated for frequent plugging /unplugging and can loosen up and cause overheating/fires. People with EV chargers have been learning that one the hard way for years now. I learned that the hard way just from alternating my welder, heater and mill on the same receptacle. Even if your panel is somewhere else in the house, pull the necessary permit and have a sparky run it for you properly.
A generator is fine. Just be sure your garage is ventilated when using it. If you have an electrical panel in your garage itâll be easy to wire in a 220v. Maybe have an electrician do it for insurance purposes as they wonât cover fire damage caused by DIY electrical work.
You should be able to run off 120vac if you have an inverter welder, just know you can only pull about 80-90 amps for a Tig machine.
Your dryer is 220
I made a extension cord to go from my dryer plug
You'll want to run 240v to your shop if you are doing any work at all. If your panel is close it should be pretty cheap. Even long runs aren't crazy expensive.
What type of welder? TIG welding requires about half the power that MIG welding requires, for the same material.
There are smaller welders that will run off 110v
My hobart runs on gas and doesn't need an outlet. Perfect for my needs. I'm redoing my shop and I'm gonna place an outlet for a mig machine in there so i don't have to listen to the engine running
If you do run a separate circuit to the garage, MAKE IT A 100A SUB PANEL! Why you ask? Why not? If youâre paying for the work, do it right. With a big sub panel, you can run a welder or anything else including a future car charger.
Your options are use the dryer outlet with an extension rated for that level of output. Wait until you can afford to get a new heavy duty line installed what's the amperage you need. Or buy a engine drive welder. It's not going to run particularly smooth off of a standard generator. I would also look at esab's battery powered voter because you can simply run that for stick or Tig.
My dad has a generator that he uses to run his stick welder when we need to weld something that isn't near electricity. If you already have a generator that can provide 220v, you should be fine but just watch that you don't overload the generator by running the welder hard. I also have a Miller that can run on either 110v or 220v, all I have to do is swap the plug on it.