How do I make this pigtail?

[funomenal]

I am thinking of buying a 230 amp welder but only have 120 AC household current. I want to make a pigtail like the following pigtail as described on intenet:


"Posted by Van_Camper Ontario (My Page) on Thu, Nov 3, 05 at 21:21

I bought a Cannox 230 amp AC stick welder about 30 yrs ago, and never had a problem with it. I also started using it on 120AC household current. All I did was add a 2 foot pigtail with one end having the 230amp plug and the other the 120 plug. I also bought 70 feet of 9 gauge wire to extend my working distance (I know, not first choice, but it works fine)and plug this into 120. I have turned the welder up to 155amps and welded 1/4"). Point is, it works on both current types, is portable, and will cover anything you need to do around the home. Migs/Tigs are all great, but cost more and uncessary for the average guy wanting to do some repairs around the house, or build a trailer. "



So how do I make one? I did a web search and only came up with a 220 volt converter to 120 volt pigtail like the following: I don't think this will work for the purposes he described.

http://www.toolprice.com/product/9060C


Thanks so much!

[Nitetimes]

I've never tried it, doubt it would work well if at all and it will likely burn up the welder.
You can buy a 120v stick welder.

[Dale M.]

Most homes are supplied by utility company with 220 volts. You just may not have any appliances wired for 220 such as electric stove or electric dryer so its not apparent that its there in breaker/fuse panel. Its a real possibility that all you need to do is wire in a receptical and supply breaker (If there is room in breaker panel) to have a 220 volt outlet.

Forget any pigtail that will run a 220volt welder on 110 volts, they don't commercially exist...

Consider a Lincoln or Miller 135 Amp MIG welder that will run on 110volt house voltage/current if you are serious about small portable welder.

Dale

[ARKPAT]

I do not want to sound strange.

The Voltage converter that you have a link to is about the 1/5 th the size it needs to be. Doing the math ( roughly you would need would be 10,000 watts or more ) which is more expensive than updating the electrical service and outlet to have 240Volts AC for the welder.
Quote:
Product Description
Maximum capacity 1500 Watts. This voltage converter can be used in 110 volt countries and 220 volt countries. It will convert from 220-240 volts to 110-120 volts and vice versa. There are two outputs on the front of this unit, one for 110 Volts and one for 220 Volts. Both of these female outputs are universal and will accept 2 or 3 prong male plug adapters from anywhere in the world. There is an input voltage selector switch on the back of the unit which allows you to select from 110, 200, 220, and 240. Insulated power cord is hard wired with a grounded plug adapter for USA, Canada and Mexico. An additional European/Asian grounded "Schuko" plug which is good for European/Asian outlets is also included. Voltage Converter is used to convert the voltage of the source (coming from the wall) to match the voltage required to run the device. Voltage converter / transformer can be used to transform 110V coming from the source (wall) to 220/240V or 220/240V coming from the source to 110V. These power converters can be used overseas like Europe where the voltage is 220V to run 110 V devices or in US (where power is 110 v) to run overseas 220 / 240 volt devices. Voltage Converters are referred to as power converter, travel converter, voltage transformer, voltage convertor Europe, travel voltage converter, transformer voltage, volt transformer, AC power, travel voltage and voltage regulator. The travel converters are sometimes referred to small AC voltage converters which are used to run CD players etc. This voltage converter can be used continuously for extended period of time. Step Up Transformer is used to step up the source voltage (coming from the wall) to match the voltage to run the device. Vice versa with Step Down Transformer. All Voltage Converter/ Power transformers can be used continuously. We recommend adding 25% to your devices wattage to accommodate any kind of surge while selecting a voltage transformer/ converter.


I think these are to be travel voltage converters. You can get commercial voltage converters but they are very expensive.

Good luck on your build. There might be some more answers more educated than mine but thats the way I see it. I hope that can help. There are some 110Volt AC welders you can run off 15 Amp or 20 Amp 120 Volt AC outlet. You might find some used welder at a shop or local Trade School/Community College.

You might want to check out the other thread in the General Discussion you started this question in.

If what he said is true it is suppling over 6,200 watts of power at 120V AC at over 50 AMPS. Did he supply the way he did it and show the results????? Why not just do it right with 220V A.C. outlet and breaker in your electric box. Or do as Nightimes and Dale said above with 120V A.C. stick welder or MIG welder.

Pat

[BrwBier]

Why not just take two 120v plugs and make a pigtail into a 220v outlet.

[Dale M.]

Why not just take two 120v plugs and make a pigtail into a 220v outlet.

It only works if each 120volt ac outlet is on different phase... IF you have both plugs on pigtails plugged into same phase its still only be 120 volts and it probably is going to be a safety hazard and blow the fuse/breaker or burn up welder...

IMHO it is a VERY UNSAFE thing to try. If you dont know what you are doing its just plain DANGEROUS. That is why I suggest having a professionally installed 220 volt plug added or getting 110volt welder....

Dale

[ARKPAT]

I'm with Dale on this one.


He is very right. Electricity is a very Dangerous thing to play with if you do not know what you are doing. It could be a matter of life or Death and or distroyed property from fire or worse explosion. If you have ever seen an explosion from an electrical short "Think Lighting".


Pat

[Chuck Craven]

Funomenal

Get an electrician to install a 220 volt outlet for your welder.
If you don’t know how to do that, you may have real big problem.
Electrical fires make lighting look like toys.
You don’t want to burn down your house. That is a lot more expensive than the electrician.

Chuck

[Gerdo]

If you take two 120v plugs into a 220v plug !!!CAUTION!!! Once you plug one 120v plug in you have a hot pin on the other plug. Potential death hazard. I would not recomend this.