Welder Extention Cord?

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Oct 24, 2006 | 09:33 PM

lowtrkn2k

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: Sep 2006

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From: Katy(Houston), Texas

Welder Extention Cord?

Ok, I got my 220v outlet run this past sunday. I'm still alive and avoided electricution. It was actually pretty easy. The problem is that now Im looking to find an extention cord so I wont be so ristricted to the 9ft. length of the welder cord. I'll be working in a tight space so I will need more cord. I've looked at Lowes, HD, and online. I'm finding some cords but they are for 120v, 12 - 10 gauge and rated at 16 amps. What worries me is are these going to work with a 20amp, 220v welder? I would like to find the cords without the ends since I will have to replace them anyway. I could just by one of the 10 gauge cords and replace the ends but I would rather (if possible) get the raw wire and add my own ends and it mite save me a little money.

Does anyone know where I could by 10 gauge or heavier extention cord type wire with out the ends? I need about 25ft. but 50ft would be good. I could also make 2, 25ft. cords since I wont have much use for 50ft. very often.

Thanks!

Oct 24, 2006 | 09:53 PM

cabby daddy

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 305

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From: in a house, near sherwood

i bought 8guage 4 wire, at home depot, has the rubberized outer sheath on it..... 30' here

Oct 24, 2006 | 09:58 PM

49willard

Cargo Master

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 3,337

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From: Harpswell Maine

You have the right idea. Make up your own extension cord. I agree with your idea of using #10 rather than #12 wire. It will limit the voltage drop to the welder. Look for #10/3 S O wire. S O is a rubber covered flexible cord like an extension cord and buy ends for it. If your box store does not have it go to a good electrical supply house in your area. I think that I would limit myself to 25 ft or so.

Last edited by 49willard; Oct 24, 2006 at 10:00 PM.

Oct 24, 2006 | 10:30 PM

rhopper

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 1,511

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From: peyton, colorado

I made my own cord, also. The specs with my welder say up to 30 feet long, use 10 guage, 30 to 50 feet, 8 guage, and over 50 feet, 6 guage. By the way, when you tell the friendly sales associate at the store you need some cord cut to length, he'll ask you "How long do you want it"? Answer "For a long time, I'm building a truck with it".

Oct 24, 2006 | 10:34 PM

sdetweil

Hotshot

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 11,591

Likes: 14

From: Pflugerville, tx

I also made my own.. 35ft, 8ga.. about $75 with the two connectors.

Sam

Oct 24, 2006 | 10:47 PM

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27,294

Likes: 1,055

From: NM

If this is for a stick welder, usually you buy a stinger, a flexible multi-stranded lead for the electrode holder, plus another for the ground. You can frequently find them used. If it's an AC welder (on the welding side) you may notice a need to bump the current settings due to the voltage drop. On pipefitting jobs I've worked (boiler repairs) it's common to use up to 300 ft of stinger on DC. You can't get away with that on AC.

If you want a 220v AC extension cord, look for one for a range/oven, but they are usually only about 6 ft long.

Oct 24, 2006 | 11:24 PM

NormH

Junior User

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 78

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From: Davis, Ca

Home Depot has it on the reel by the foot. Its expensive with the fitting around $12. Make sure the plugs are heading the right way for you outlet. First determine the maximum lenght for your wire size and welder. Mine was 20ft.

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Oct 25, 2006 | 12:00 AM

halfdone

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 426

Likes: 0

From: Queanbeyan Australia

If you had proper 240V electricals you wouldn't have these problems guys

I worry about you guys, first you put the steering wheel on the wrong side and then you install half voltage electricity.

Over here REAL welders, lathes, compressors, hoists are all what we call "3 Phase" which is 415v...........believe me you know all about when you mess up with that ****

Oct 25, 2006 | 12:27 AM

#10

Gary E

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 831

Likes: 16

From: sacramento

I looked at the bulk cord at HD but ended up buying a premade cord at HD and putting my ends on it. It was cheaper that way and the insulation was thicker and more durable as well. I am pretty sure its 8 guage, its 50 feet and makes it so I can work in the driveway as well as anywhere in the garage.

Oct 25, 2006 | 09:37 AM

#11

lowtrkn2k

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 741

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From: Katy(Houston), Texas

I bought my romex at HD and looked at the extention cords there and they were all 12gauge and up. Maybe they were out. I will go back and look at the bulk wire and see what they have. I also thought about going the route of buying premade and changing ends. Also while doing a little online reseach I ran across a guy who made his own cord and made an adapter to be able to also plug into a 220v dryer connection found in most homes. He made it where he could swap ends and use it at other places with 220v. That was a pretty slick idea. I wont really have a need for that now but it's an idea if I ever need to take my welder somewhere else.

Hey, halfdone...anything over 220v scares the crap out of me...LOL!!! That's why I'm sticking to the small stuff...haha

Oct 25, 2006 | 02:00 PM

#12

jniolon

old and in the way

Joined: Jul 1997

Posts: 5,921

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From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama

low,

here's another option...

think about who your friends are.... anyone an electrician ??? lots of times they'll make a run and have 20-50 feet of wire left on the spool... it's not enough to use so it just sits on the spool and they grab a new one next time...

if no friend ??? wander into some electrical service company shops and ask if they have any short ends they'll part with... you can find it around if you look I'm sure.... be creative

also H.D. and Lowes will have short lengths taped up... price might be a little cheaper...

the only help I can offer on connectors other than you might check with a local salvage yard and see if you might trip over one there

later

john

Oct 25, 2006 | 03:16 PM

#13

Jag Red 54

Logistics Pro

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 4,489

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From: Valley Center, CA

You guys can trust Niolin on this subject. He has done extensive research to convert his rolling cow BBQ over to 220v.

Sorry John, I haven't taken a shot at you for a while and I just couldn't help myself. Jag

Oct 25, 2006 | 05:00 PM

#14

jniolon

old and in the way

Joined: Jul 1997

Posts: 5,921

Likes: 1,052

From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama

laugh all your want Jag..... it does cook the cows much quicker and doesn't dry them out so badly...

later
j

Oct 27, 2006 | 09:15 PM

#15

darkman

Posting Guru

Joined: Sep 1999

Posts: 1,022

Likes: 3

From: Pensacola Florida

12 ga is definately too small I don't even like 10 ga. I went with 8 ga on my 50' cord. Remember you are effectively extending the run on your circuit and it should be the same size as what you have run from the panel box to the outlet and the TOTAL circuit length should not exceed the max amp pull allowed.

John why don't you puts some pigs on your cow roaster and then we could have some BBQ.