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I like to tinker at home and I'd love to learn how to weld. I'm reading up on it and keeping an eye out for a starter FCAW machine. I have the immediate opportunity to buy a gently used Lincoln Handy Core K2278-1 (click here for details) for $100. I'm still learning/reading so this opportunity came a little too early but I think the price is great and the machine looks promising for a hobbyist interested in some light welding.According to the manual (page 8), it needs a 20 amp service. I plan on using it in my double garage's 15 amp service which, aside from two garage door openers and a big central vac (13A), I really don't think was wired for a heavy amp load. The distance to the breaker box is short (approx 10 ft) and the wire looks like a 14 gauge. I would unplug all the other loads in the circuit before I fired up my machine.Is it ok to use this 20 amp machine with my 15 amp service?The threads I've read so far (1, 2, 3) seem to suggest that 15 amps is fine and that the machine will just trip the breaker if I ask too much from it. I just don't want to endanger my house - Is this safe? I'm fine with sticking to the lower end of my machine's potential as I learn on thinner metals - this baby would be my Lincoln training wheels.TuxLast edited by tux; 12-18-2013 at 10:23 PM.
Reply:It's fine, you'll just pop the breaker if you pull too much current. That's what they are for.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:It won't hurt anything running it on a 15 amp line, as mentioned all it may do is trip the breaker.I will make this comment. 110v FC only units are inexpensive, but very limiting. You can't do thin material, say less than 16 ga without burning thru because FC is a fairly hot process. However because you are limiting the machine to only 15 amps, don't expect to do more than 14 ga, maybe 1/8" and have decent beads. You simply don't have the input power available. Even under the best circumstances you won't do material much thicker. The manufacturers way overrate the abilities of these little machines. They use all sorts of "tricks" to get better numbers in a lab. Things like running the machine on a 30 amp line possibly with the voltage closer to 125v or so, so the incoming power isn't the limiting factor. They run very short beads to stay under the duty cycle of the machine. tiny beads are almost useless in real world conditions.Honestly I'd save your money. If you are serious about learning to weld, I'd look at one of the 110v/220v dual voltage machines like Miller, Hobart and Lincoln makes. That way you can later plug them into 220v power and do more than 1/8" 1/8" is the general practical limit under real world conditions for 110v migs. On 220v power you can do 1/4" or even 3/8" depending on the machine. Or if your budget doesn't allow one of the dual voltage migs, look for a name brand dedicated 220v only mig..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan |
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发表于 2021-8-31 23:24:44