Just picked up a Lincoln Pro 180 mig welder for a sweet $400.00 bucks brand new in the box! The welder has the "dryer" style plug 208/230 volt. In my garage I have one 220 outlet but it's the "twist lock" style.My question is: can I branch off my 220 line and add the "dryer" style plug outlet? Or can I just change the plug on the unit itself? Or do they make an "adadpter" to make it a "twist lock" style? I would really like it if I can just branch off the existing 220 line, so I can have the compressor and the welder plugged in at the same time and not have to unplug one to use the other. Please help as I want to get started on my welding project a.s.a.p. Thanks, Mason.

 

You can branch off like you said, but would not advise using both at same time. You will overload the circuit. Ideally you should run seperate circuits, but sometimes thats not feasible. Also it looks like a dryer plug, but it's not. Look in the welding section at any supplier and they sell the proper outlet. I did make a patch cord to adapt to my generator and dryer outlet from a dryer cord. Just make sure you know what you are doing.

 

Great, Thanks for the reply. I am trying to get this plug wired but having a problem cause I don't have a tester...but will get it worked out eventually.

 

I just made short pig tail for mine. I have both an arc welder and my mig welder, both of differnet plugs. So I got the mail plug for my outlet and 1' foot of 240 wire and a receptical box and the female receptical for my arc welder. I just keep the pig tail on the arc welder cord and unplug which ever welder I'm not using at the time. it was alot cheaper than running another wire, receptical and another breaker. I have my 6 hp 60 gal. compressor hard wired into the breaker box.

 

Remove the plug on the welder and get yourself the appropriate plug that matches the outlet, and unplug the dryer to plug in the welder.

The idea behind this is you'll be forced to NOT operate the dryer, even by accident, while welding thus not blowing the breaker.

BTW, I have the Lincoln 170T and it's a phenominal welder for the dollars... I would expect you to be equally happy with the 180. It's a very nice welder, and very reliable.

I've even welded aluminum with mine ;-)

 

My Miller 180 came with a 50A plug ... I don't know why.

I replaced the entire power cord on the welder ...... making a longer one so I can get the welder further from the receptacle, and using the correct plug.

 

That is was I'm thinking on doing. How long of an extension did you put on yours? I have a 100' job site 240 ext chord that I was thinking of using like 20 - 25' of that should be plenty long enough and durable enough yes?

 

I made a 20' extension cord for my arc welder when I was in CA. The owners manual siad that was the max that could be used. So i would assume that would be ok for yours. I'd check the owners manual just to make sure.

 

Mine is about 35ft. It replaced the 6ft power cord that came with the machine. It gets me down to the end of my driveway. You want it to be SO-type or similar stranded wire, for flexibility.

As far as suitability, there is probably some info in your manual concerning the lenght of all the power feed cables and the required cable sizes. You have to be careful of amperage drop if the distance from the electrical service entrance (not the receptacle that you plug into) to the welder is too long.

Good luck.

 

Watch your amperage the longer you make that cord the less amps it will be able to handle.

If you have to go to a supply store like graingers and look for some SJO cord.

Ask for some 10-3 and buy the end for it.
It will be tougher then any cord you can buy from lowes or anywhere.
Its what I use to make my extension cords for my work truck.