Extension lead

[TheReal_JC]

Hi all,

First Post here. So where I work on my car it is in a garage compound around 50 meters away from my house, but my garage is around another 20 meters further. I have been having to move the car I am welding which is far from ideal, and still using a normal 45m extension cord, and my welds haven't been coming out too nicely.

Is it feasible to make a 70m extension lead out of thick gauge wire, and still produce nice welds?

Also genny is not a possibility.

Thanks

 

[frank horton]

if u got the cash then yes.....not that necc but I'd be using 4mm thick cable......
a few things tho......
roll it up everyday even if its on ur private lane, no sharp bends and objects, if poss keep it OFF the ground as much if u can......
make sure ur well protected with and RCD and please use an extra earthing rod.....
easy to get organised, make a roller wind up wheel'd trolley.....seems a lot but it does make life easier.....

others may be better experienced.......

I run a 100m 4mm flexy 3phase extension lead at the mo.....thats until the barn is built......

 

[Jim Davey]

It’s possible, but in order to answer the question we’d need to know the input power specifications of your Maxine. Can you take a picture of the rating plate?

The solution to the problem will probably mean getting yourself a roll of heavy duty cable, probably 6mm2 but I’ll be able to say for sure once the machine specs are known.
I’m not a huge fan of really long cables for a number of reasons. I would advise you to buy what cable you need plus a little extra and divide it up into smaller more manageable cables (trying to coil up and carry an 80 metre long lead is not practical or sensible) however coiling up 3 or 4 33-20 metre leads is much easier. More plugs and sockets to buy but won’t it.

 

[Ashley Burton]

I just use a 16 amp caravan extension lead

 

[brightspark]

without calcs a 4.0mm cable can carry 30 amps but would need to know the welder full load amps to work out voltage drop at 60 meters . as in post 4 a 6.0mm flex would be best for the small difference in price and your well covered. it wont be cheap but theres no other choice at that distance

 

[sg66]

I've run my mig from a 100m 4mm blue Arctic extension I had it set at full power which should be 16amp, it was from a 32amp supply, I didn't check voltage drop but I didn't notice any lack of power.

Was cheaper just to buy the roll and the plugs.