power cables

[wavestarved]

Just wondering if the power cabling to my garage and/or the short extension lead that I need to use might be hampering the potential output of my welder. I posted a few weeks ago about my concerns that my new Clarke 151en isn't getting any penetration on anything above 2mm. I firstly assumed that it was down to me being a total novice, but since practicing more and following the advice given on here about wire speed, power settings, torch position, and travel speed etc, I'm still getting no penetration so starting to wonder whether it might be a technical problem.
I realise that manufacturer's claims for thickness capabilities are wildly exaggerated but surely this cannae be right.
Any help or advice huuuuuuuugely appreciated.
Cheers bretherin
Jase

 

[Airbrass]

Volt drop?

How long is the supply run to your workshop from the service head, what thickness cable have you used.

Any volt drop at the welder end is wasted power.

regards Airbrass

 

[GrahamGKD]

Are there any other indications that the welder is causing too much load on the supply - e.g. fluorescent lights dropping out, lights dimming or the like? Can you temporarily rig the machine direct from a ring main in your house just as a test? We would need answers to the questions posed by Airbrass to comment further - with answers to that we could work out the voltage drop across the cable run.
Cheers,
Graham.

 

[wavestarved]

Really not sure of the cable grade as I've never paid any attention to it, but the run is quite short; 5 meters or so. I've never noticed any power fluctuations in lights when welding (but then i've usually got a black mask on so not sure I'd notice).
I'll give it a go on the house mains see if it makes any difference.
Cheers for the advice.

 

[GrahamGKD]

I wouldn't have thought a 5m run would be an issue unless the spur to your garage is poorly specified - what about the extension you are using? Are any of the plugs or sockets in the circuit getting hot - if so, it could be a bad connection.
Graham.

 

[wavestarved]

Quick update, tried it off the house mains and a better spec extension and it seemed to make a big difference. Much better.
Thanks all...AGAIN!