What cable for my 160 amp arc welder?

[mart]

I am going to replace the cable on my 160 amp arc welder-(electrode and earth clamp cable not the power supply). It is ok in respect of the condition but I want longer lengths-I have 2 mt on the earth clamp & about 3 mt on the electrode holder.

What dia cable shall I get? The guy at the welding shop where I was pricing it up was not very helpful and seemed more interested in taking the p*** when I told him what welder it was for (even though the machine has served me well for 28 years), so I thought I would ask on here for some proper advice. The shop quoted £2.50 per mt for 15mm & £3.50 per mt for 25mm

 

[madkayaker]

16mm would be more than adequate lots on the dreaded ebay just check what the postage will be!

 

[brightspark]

I am going to replace the cable on my 160 amp arc welder-(electrode and earth clamp cable not the power supply). It is ok in respect of the condition but I want longer lengths-I have 2 mt on the earth clamp & about 3 mt on the electrode holder.

What dia cable shall I get? The guy at the welding shop where I was pricing it up was not very helpful and seemed more interested in taking the p*** when I told him what welder it was for (even though the machine has served me well for 28 years), so I thought I would ask on here for some proper advice. The shop quoted £2.50 per mt for 15mm & £3.50 per mt for 25mm

16mm roughly 112 amps 25mm 170 amp

 

[Dogbreath23]

you know Ive been thinking recently(dont laugh) I occurs to me that a set of jump leads could be used as welding cable. The wire would be thick enough to carry the amperage and you can pick them up for something like £4.99. By the way what sort of welder have you got Mart?

 

[Alfaman]

occurs to me that a set of jump leads could be used as welding cable.

yeah, I've done it the other way round in the past and made up a neg jump lead with welding cable to replace a lost one. Worked very well for years

 

[Dogbreath23]

An old boy I know was telling me about using a genset to go salmon poaching. Chuck both leads into the water and crank the thing up! Naughty but effective.

 

[Dogbreath23]

sorry. I just realised that that has got FA to do with this thread!

 

[madkayaker]

jump leads and welding cable are the same stuff. many of the cheep jump leads though have very small conductor size and would not stand the current for very long.

 

[Dogbreath23]

get ones that are rated for diesel engines,they've plenty o' welly in them.still going to be cheaper than buying "proper" cable,for a little 160amp welder it'll do fine Im sure.Plus you get four free croc clips!

 

[Dogbreath23]

have a look for some at a car booty!

 

[mart]

you know Ive been thinking recently(dont laugh) I occurs to me that a set of jump leads could be used as welding cable. The wire would be thick enough to carry the amperage and you can pick them up for something like £4.99. By the way what sort of welder have you got Mart?

Its an old SIP (1982). Some of the jump leads are bit too inflexible for the job. I like the rubber outer as opposed to the hard plastic insulation.