Help with Harbor Freight 151 Power Connections

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About 3 years ago my wife bought me a Harbor Freight 151 (input 20 amp / 250VAC ONLY) as a gift. I would like to start using it finally, but first need to figure out how to hook it up. (I would have preferred a 125V version, but, this will ultimately be better). I have a power panel with LOTS of reserve readily available (in my outside garage/shop via a lightly used 200A panel) and can easily run wires from the box to my new outlet.While it really does not matter, it is a Square D box. The (lameass) Harbor Freight instructions say to use a 20 amp "delayed action" breaker ... well certainly not from Home Depot or Lowe's, so if I really want to do that I will need to be ordering from somewhere. And that could be a challenge since I would need lots of training to figure out the right code for one of those. I have tried finding one and don't really want to learn that language right now. (Or maybe someone could help me there too.) But, until the time I get the delayed action one I plan on sticking in a 20A and see how it works (I might even go to a 25 since the machine has its own overload ... and, as a beginner, I doubt I will be taxing the duty cycle or really cranking it up.) I am looking to weld some very small thin pieces.My issue is it is unclear to me which plug and receptacle to use. I have wired a LOT of things via 125 volt circuits, and a few dryers and ovens, so do understand most of what I need to know. It is just I don't know which specific jacks and plugs to use. I could surely cobble something up, but would like to do it correctly. That is plural because I will eventually be making an extension cord for that as well ... and yes I know how to size that for the proper current ... I am an EE.OK, the fact is there is an outlet already there wired for a 50amp welder from the previous owner ... so my thoughts are to replace the breaker and receptacle and just add a plug to the welder (it came without one ... R/W/G wire only and as mentioned 250vac only) I thought about, and may eventually, use an adjunct box with the 20 amp breaker in it at the and of the extension. Then put the 50AMP set up back in place. But for now that is more expense than I want to incur and I might not even want to keep this welder and opt for something bigger at some point anyway.So, bottom line ... which plug(s) and receptacle(s) are proper and should I use? ... (by NEMA number would be best). Again that is 20amp, 250VAC. I would also be thankful for anyone who could supply details on which delayed action Square D breaker to use as well, but that is far less important. Thanks in advance.Gene
Reply:I used a oven plug and receptacle..
Reply:Welders requires a slow blow fuse / hence a regular old double pole / double throw switch with tube type fuses works best.The breakers in the panel are a quick blow type and at times you will find that when you stick weld, it will trip the breaker after you strike an arc - because the breaker gets hot and will not handle the load.I welded on a trailer one summer and the house I lived in had a old Federal Pacific and I spent $50 for one breaker and I ganged a couple of breakers together and I couldn't weld for more then 4 minutes without tripping one breaker or the other.Your best bet is to call a certified electrician and PAY him / her to do the work for you.Being a electrician means a little more then just knowing how to hook up the wires!It's understanding the - National Electrical Code and knowing what materials to use to do the job properly and legally.If you use the wrong stuff and your house burns down, the insurance company might not pay off on the claim.
Reply:I can't find a picture of it, but the one that I have is the 3 prong plug that basically looks like a large version of a regular 120V 3 prong plug (e.g. one large blade, one small, and the ground).The instructions for HF welders specifies a locking plug, but personally going with the large 3 prong is handy since it "seems" like most 230V devices support it.  My wifes kiln uses that plug, as does the Miller 211 I replaced my HF welder with, and all the Hobart welders and ESAB plasma cutters at the classes I went to used that type plug as well.  So if you set that up, you should be set up for new equipment if you buy it in the future.I can't help as much with what breaker and such to use when wiring this up since my wife had an electrician wire up the outlet in the garage when she got her kiln, so I didn't have to handle that part of things.  I'm fine with wiring up outlets and switches in the house, but when it comes to tapping in to a breaker box I leave that to the guy that knows what he's doing.
Reply:NEMA Type 6-50PNEMA Type 6-50RMillermatic 251Spectrum 300 PlasmaEverlast PowerTig 250EXEverlast PowerCool W300Harris / Victor OACraftsman 13 Speed Drill PressProTools Air/Hydraulic Bender48" BrakeCompressor, Notchers, Grinders, etc.
Reply:I am not an electrician, but probably know enough to be dangerous.    I do have a "code check electrical" book that pretty much boils down the current NEC into layman's terms, highly recommended if you're tackling wiring projects on your own.   And I have recently upgraded my home's panel to a square D Homeline panel, so I am familiar with them.Square D has "QO" and "homeline" commonly available residential breaker types.  I believe either product line has a "high magnetic" breaker option (not stocked at the big box stores, but should be available at a specialty electrical supply house, or maybe the big box can special order one.)  The "high magnetic" option will allow a higher sudden inrush current to pass without the breaker tripping.  It will rely more on the thermally triggered breaking.  Whether you really need the fancy high magnetic breaker or not, I don't know.  I'm not sure I'd trust a harbor freight manual on that either, it could just be something lost in a poor english translation. Edit: just saw that you already have a 50 amp circuit and receptable.  Since you already have that, I would just keep it, and stick a matching plug (probably NEMA 6-50P?) on your welder.Last edited by jakeru; 07-15-2010 at 02:42 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by jakeruEdit: just saw that you already have a 50 amp circuit and receptable.  Since you already have that, I would just keep it, and stick a matching plug (probably NEMA 6-50P?) on your welder.