Clarke 151en - mains plug confusion

[MWAD7]

Hello!

I’m looking for my first welder and am edging towards the ubiquitous 151EN - partly based on repeated recommendations (or at least non-negative mentions) on this site.

For what it’s worth, I’m planning to restore an old military Land Rover trailer that will need sheet panel sections cutting out and replacing. Metal thickness is understood to be around the 2mm mark. Gasless if for no other reason that I’ll be working outside. The chassis may need work in the future so I don’t want to hamstring myself too much.

Anyway, the Machinemart website says that the 151en ‘must be hard wired’ but the online manual suggests that it runs off a standard domestic 240V 13A plug. I just wanted to check that it doesn’t need a hefty single-phase supply.....?

Thanks!

 

[Migmac]

Ours runs off the domestic 240 with a 13 amp plug

 

[AdrianH]

In the manual it should somewhere, towards the back under specifications show the input current required from 230 Volts AC to provide a few levels of MIG current.

It would also show the duty cycle at these ratings as well.

That would be my be bet to look at.

Adrian

 

[Cobbler]

I would forget gasless if I were you, it really does not produce a nice weld. With the power supply question, Clarke are covering themselves, if you run it off a 13 amp plug as everyone does, run flat out it might blow the odd fuse. Make sure you buy a good quality plug & a few spare fuses (not pound shop plug & fuses) & you will be fine. The Landy chassis won't need it turned right up anyway

 

[MWAD7]

Thanks.

I’m prepared to give gasless a go. I’m also prepared to abandon it for gas if it looks fruitless!

It’s a trailer rather than the Landy itself (which has a nice galv chassis and shouldn’t need welding for many, many years to come) so ‘nice’ (cosmetically so?) welds are not critical.

 

[gaz1]

ive used both with a gas and gasless machine

the clarke 151 is ample enough for you the reason why they say hard wired is it can blow a fuse thats 13 amp however i can assure you with mine a slightly older gas model i havent done as of yet

as goes for the gasless version its a sip model and i havent blown that fuse at that

also to note if you want to direct wire it its a blue plug with a 16 amp fuse wired into the fuse box

if @Shoggi has just got this model recently hopfully he will advice you if its viable model

 

[Shoggi]

ive used both with a gas and gasless machine

the clarke 151 is ample enough for you the reason why they say hard wired is it can blow a fuse thats 13 amp however i can assure you with mine a slightly older gas model i havent done as of yet

as goes for the gasless version its a sip model and i havent blown that fuse at that

also to note if you want to direct wire it its a blue plug with a 16 amp fuse wired into the fuse box

if @Shoggi has just got this model recently hopfully he will advice you if its viable model

As of yet I haven't used it but I trust the advice I was given before purchase but no doubt I will need some help

 

[Shoggi]

Don't no if this will help you I haven't opened the box yet

 

[Shoggi]

Don't no if this will help you I haven't opened the box yet

 

[gaz1]

the pic you quoted is the 100amp shoggi but the other is spot on showing all the others though interesting i find there quotes a little strange to say the least

also note the range of thickness is with preparation as is with many migs that are used for welding

 

[Shoggi]

The electric in my sheds run from a spare
Fuse in the house consumer unit
So it should be ok my other welders didnt
Cause any problems
ONLY problem I had was getting rid of the crap gasless mig I had

 

[MWAD7]

Thanks all.

I received mine a few days ago and it is supplied with a UK plug. I’ll probably make up a heavy duty extension cord just to be on the safe side.