120 volt to 240 volt supply, CAN IT BE DONE???

[piman]

Hello Rtbcomp,

"To prevent the voltage setting being tampered with."

I don't see that, the whole reason to fit a more expensive dual voltage transformer would be to have the option that the average user can easily change. Such equipment is very common but it is up to a certain amount of common sense to set it correctly.

Alec

 

[jwt873]

But again the only thing I was wondering is " if the welder is 120 volt a/c when you plug it into the wall, CAN the welder be changed (taps) so it can be plugged into a 240 volt a/c " at least small 130 amp migs go.

I think this has been answered... If there are taps on the primary transformer windings, (easily accessible or not) then you can.. If there are no taps, then you can't. The only way to tell for sure is check with the manufacturer of the welder you are thinking of buying. Many manufacturers have everything you need to know on their web sites.

I'm curious as to why you would want to change the voltage from 110 to 220. It appears you are in North America where the standard wall voltage is 110 Volts.

110v welders are generally for hobby work. Few. if any, will deliver more than 90 Amps. Changing the input voltage to 220v won't increase the output.. That's limited by the secondary windings and associated circuitry.

 

[nobel12]

Jwt837, the only real reason I might want to change my voltage is because of the draw in amps on the house circuit, no other reason.

And my question has been answered. I must say it's amazing as to how a simple question gets blown out like this, I already knew my answer for the most part, was just looking for any un-known knowledge about small welders as it might relate. Guess there really isn't any.

It's even funnier how people react to knowing a persons profession, WOW.

Again to everyone out there that answered my question, I THANK YOU !!!

To all the smug minded donkey's out there, way to show the colors.

 

[rtbcomp]

Hello Rtbcomp,

"To prevent the voltage setting being tampered with."

I don't see that, the whole reason to fit a more expensive dual voltage transformer would be to have the option that the average user can easily change. Such equipment is very common but it is up to a certain amount of common sense to set it correctly.

Alec

With most electrical equipment you only set the voltage once which is a lot less hassle than replacing it if some bright spark thinks it's funny to alter the setting for a joke. Believe me there are such people about. When I was building computers I always put a security seal over an exposed voltage selector.

A dual voltage transformer isn't much more expensive than a single voltage one, and it can actually work out cheaper to incorporate one than to have to produce two similar product lines, one for 110v and one for 240v.

 

[shenion]

A dual voltage transformer isn't much more expensive than a single voltage one, and it can actually work out cheaper to incorporate one than to have to produce two similar product lines, one for 110v and one for 240v.

Not the case for a small MIG. Remember a MIG has 4 or more different taps on the input side to voltage settings. To switch from 120 to 240V would require doubling the # of windings between each tap. Can be done but would be a dozen or so taps on the transformer and associated jumpers.

TIG/ARG welders can use two windings and either parallel or series them for the input voltage as they control the current on the output side of the transformer.