I'm in need of a solution for my new Hobart 165i, AC/DC Tig machine. The thickest metal I'll probably ever weld is mild 3/8" plate to auto floor sheetmetal. I'd really like to be able to keep my welding equipment completely mobile - meaning, I can drag it down from the garage to the unfinished basement and go at it without having to rewire. Is there a directly adaptive transformer that I can buy to make this work?

 

Would one of these be the ticket? If so, what do you recommend for wattage? http://www.220-electronics.com/diamond-series-voltage-converters.html

 

Do you have easy access to your breaker panel in the basement? I would just put in another circuit there. Or if your laundry room is in the basement chances are you already have a 240 circuit you could share.

I recommend against the transformer:
The welder you mention draws 21 amps @230vac. That's 4,800 watts. If stepping that up from a 120 circuit you'll need double the amps, and fatter wire. You'll need to wire a new circuit just for the transformer anyway, it will need a 50 amp single pole breaker which your house does not have and some 6 or 8 awg wire. Plus you have the cost of the transformer.

 

Laundry appliances are upstairs. We have a 220V box upstairs in the garage that I installed for our Chevy Volt. I was hoping to not have to integrate another 220V outlet, but if necessary, I will be able to. Would I be okay running a ~50 foot, 220V extension cord from our outlet in the garage down to the basement? Or am I going to significantly drop off power going into the welder?

 

You could look at the wiring requirements in the paperwork. If you plan to ever welding thick alum, you'll need to follow it. What does it call for? 10ga? 8ga? For DC output, you can get away with less, but you might regret it later. What gauge is the cord? 50' is a long way. Smarter guys here might know if that means one step bigger or not. Galv conduit and roll of the proper wire might be cheaper in the end.

 

I'll refer to my welder's manual tonight after work, and update, thanks for the input and suggestions thus far!

 

All the manual lists is the minimum size, being 14 awg, but that seems awfully small, I was also thinking more like 8. It also recommends that the power cord length be no greater than 70 feet.

 

depending on the listed current, 14 ga for 15 amp or less, 12 ga for 20amp, 10ga 30amp..good rule of thumb for distances up to about 50ft. I don't understand how they are recommending 14 ga when max power consumption is is 21 and 23 amps @230v respectively, right off the specs on their website. At up to 50ft you would be fine with a 10ga, longer I would step down to an 8.

 

Going to do a little bit of measuring, then drop by Home Depot this weekend and pick up supplies to make an extension cord. I'll update the thread with my findings and also supplies used.

Thanks!