my bad - that's 300 amps out, not in.
no existing 220v plug in the garage - dryer is in the laundry room, stove
farther than that. gonna have to have a plug in the garage.
with the main breaker off, there's still power in the box? I did not know
that. now I'm gonna be afraid to even touch the damn thing.
scott
>
> > and something to discuss: this is a 300 amp input machine.
>
> Wow ! Are you sure that's 300 amps input ? 300 out is a good size welder,
>but
> 300 in is freakin huge (like 1000 out). For example, the biggest TIG I found
>on
> Miller's site is the Synchrowave 350, which draws a maximum of 120 amps at
>220v
> single phase.
>
> > but can I run a 100 amp breaker off a 200 amp box?
>
> I believe the answer depends on the box. AFAIK nothing in the code prevents
>it,
> but you have to be able to buy a breaker that fits the box in the capacity you
> want.
>
> > I can't imagine it being the
> > case, but might the lower current hurt the welder - like a 'brown out'
> > condition?
>
> Should be no problem, as long as the wire you use will carry the current your
> breaker is rated for. That keeps the welder from seeing a brown-out, it
>either
> gets full voltage or nothing.
>
> > am I going to need to shut off the house to weld
>
> Not if you're welding at any reasonable current.
>
> > I suppose I could let an electrician do this and wire that surge
> > supressor at the same time...but that would be wrong. and so far I'll
> > be doing good to get somebody out here week after next. can't wait that
> > long to play with the new shiny-shiny.
>
> Someone already suggested : buy some suitable connectors and Romex cable at
>Home
> Depot, make up an adapter/extension cord to run from your dryer (or kitchen
> range) outlet. Might not be enough current to go to full output on your
>welder,
> but you're presumably not going to be welding that battleship right off the
>bat
> either.
>
> Frankly, I'd leave rewiring the breaker box to an expert. Even with the main
> breaker off, there are lethal voltages present inside the box, and mistakes
>can
> be expensive. If you accidentally bridge the input to the main breaker to
> ground, chances are good that the fuse at the transformer will not blow and
> you'll have an electrical fire on your hands (not to mention the damage to the
> box). Chances are good that this will not meet with approval from SWMBO nor
>the
> local fire marshall.
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