Need help choosing an oil cooled arc welder

[Afterimage]

I've been mig welding for a couple of years now with a Clarke 100 amp no-gas mig welder,but want to buy a big arc welder (secondhand)to do the heavier stuff,such as making gates from 16mm steel bars.
I've looked over the forums and it seems that an oil cooled Oxford type arc welder fits the bill,but I'm unsure as to what sort of amperage I can use from a domestic 240v supply.
I've seen 180amp and 220amp welders which are "single phase" on Ebay,would I be right in thinking that a "single phase" welder will run from my domestic supply?
What amperage can I use from a domestic socket before the fuse blows?
Would I be OK with a 220 amp single phase welder,or will my consumer unit evaporate?

 

[shenion]

Home supply is single-phase. All transformer-based AC welders are single phase. Many can be strapped to run off of one phase of a 3-phase power. Usually they can be jumpered for the proper voltage. Check to make sure they can wun on 240.

A 220A may need a 32A circuit. Hard to say the requirements, depends on the efficiency.

It also depends on how hard you drive them. A 220A unit run at 110A would probably only require 33% of of its rated power. As you reach the limit of the units current, it gets more inefficient.

180-220A would be fine for making gates.

 

[Justme]

Have an oxford for sale. Not sure the amps will check in the morning.
Will run on single or 3 phase but currently wired for single phase.

Justme

 

[zzr1200]

Try to find a oxford RT180 180 amp@50ocv/135@80ocv, 240v/30amp supply, probably the best stick welder in this class, also expect to be buying a pair of welding leads about 25ft long, just so don't have to move it.

Your first job will be a wheeled trolley for it.

 

[Afterimage]

So even if it's described as single phase it still might not work on a 240 volt supply,but one phase of a 3 phase supply?
When I wired up power to my garage I used the cooker terminal on the consumer unit,as there was no spare terminal and I have a gas cooker,I'm pretty sure that this'll be good for at least 30A so that shouldn't be a problem if I install one of those blue 16A sockets.

 

[Justme]

Single phase is 220-240v 7 is one phase of a 3 phase supply. In a town every 3 rd house is on the same phase. its the amps you will need to worryt about. House hold plugs only do 13 amps PEAK. You will need 16 or 32amp plugs / sockets on a suitable supply.

Justme

 

[zzr1200]

So even if it's described as single phase it still might not work on a 240 volt supply,but one phase of a 3 phase supply?
When I wired up power to my garage I used the cooker terminal on the consumer unit,as there was no spare terminal and I have a gas cooker,I'm pretty sure that this'll be good for at least 30A so that shouldn't be a problem if I install one of those blue 16A sockets.

Mickj, how far from the consumer unit is your garage power point/fuse box and what size cable did you use to run the supply?

A cooker terminal is a 30amp supply, and use a 32amp plug/socket for the welder.

 

[Afterimage]

Mickj, how far from the consumer unit is your garage power point/fuse box and what size cable did you use to run the supply?

A cooker terminal is a 30amp supply, and use a 32amp plug/socket for the welder.

It's about 45 feet from consumer unit to garage and I used 2.5mm twin and earth cable.

 

[zzr1200]

It's about 45 feet from consumer unit to garage and I used 2.5mm twin and earth cable.

2.5mm is ok for a couple of 13amp sockets and couple of lights, sorry to say this but you will need 6.0 mm twin + earth minimum preferably armoured cable, I personally would use 10.0 mm for an oxford 180

 

[Justme]

32amps (7500w or 7.5kw) at 240v ac will be ok using a twin & earth 6mm (hit 8kw 40 meters or 7.5kw over 42 meters & you need 10mm) over 40 meters. But you will have nearly 3% voltage drop so if you have low volage already it could be a problem.

Justme

 

[Afterimage]

2.5mm is ok for a couple of 13amp sockets and couple of lights, sorry to say this but you will need 6.0 mm twin + earth minimum preferably armoured cable, I personally would use 10.0 mm for an oxford 180

I thought 2.5mm twin and earth was rated up to 30 amps?But I guess you guys know what you're talking about,so I'll have to upgrade my cable to 6mm or 10mm then.

 

[zardoz]

Try to find a oxford RT180 180 amp@50ocv/135@80ocv, 240v/30amp supply, probably the best stick welder in this class, also expect to be buying a pair of welding leads about 25ft long, just so don't have to move it.

Your first job will be a wheeled trolley for it.

Many come with wheels. My old RT 300 has a set. I cant think how i would have moved it without them as it weighs over 4 cwt, Come to think of it, it was an effort to move it even with the wheels! however it does have the 25 foot leads as well. I just hope you dont have to negotiate any steps. Do you know how heavy this one is ?

 

[zzr1200]

I just hope you dont have to negotiate any steps. Do you know how heavy this one is ?

RT180=20"x 20"x 22" box, 190/200 lbs approx, you can lift one but walking with one is out of the question...

 

[zzr1200]

I thought 2.5mm twin and earth was rated up to 30 amps?But I guess you guys know what you're talking about,so I'll have to upgrade my cable to 6mm or 10mm then.

The ring main in your house is capable of carrying a 30 amp load spread over the whole circuit, but a 13 amp socket is being feed from both sides (hence ring main), where your garage power cable is a spur supply (a single cable). And at the end of it will be this box saying "feed me feed", plus any other piece of equipment switched on (lights, radio, grinder, drill, kettle and a rod oven possibly) at the same time.

Different electrical rules/cable/power ratings for ring/spur power supply.