Matching cable to machine?

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Can welding cable be to heavy? I was given 131' of 2/0 excelene weld cable brand new! I have a lincoln ranger 8. I plan to cut it in half for each lead. So is this cable oversized or will it be alright?
Reply:Originally Posted by big wormCan welding cable be to heavy? I was given 131' of 2/0 excelene weld cable brand new! I have a lincoln ranger 8. I plan to cut it in half for each lead. So is this cable oversized or will it be alright?
Reply:Gotcha! You summed it up to on the heavys.
Reply:It's only too heavy if you're too wimpy!
Reply:2/0 is a good cable size for that length of run on a machine of that output range.  Yes, 1/0 would be fine too, but since it's free, I say go with what ya have and be happy you didn't have to shell out the big bucks for overpriced copper these days!   You can always add two 10-foot sections of a lighter gauge cable, say 2 ga, for the stinger and work clamp and use the 2/0 as 'extension' cables.   You'll only feel the last few feet of the cable run as far weight goes.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by daddyIt's only too heavy if you're too wimpy!
Reply:Wondering whether or not you can use 131 feet of free 2/0 lead, Why do I never have such problems thrust on me?
Reply:Its funny that I almost turned it down because I wasn't sure.
Reply:Just kiddin' ya big worm.  I like Desert Riders suggestion to use lighter guage at the ends, especially on the stinger. The ground probably wouldn't bug me much, but that heavy wire could be a drag (Ha Ha) on your welds.
Reply:Actually you match the size of the cable to its length. Longer the lead the bigger the wire needs to be. This cuts voltage drop and cuts down on heating of the leads which makes them last longer.
Reply:Count your blessings.  Your weld leads are worth more than some of these guys welding -machines-   !    those big leads are easier on your machine and allow you to extract ALL your machines performance .[SIZE="5"Yardbird"
Reply:Your 2/0 is not that heavy, if you want heavy get your hands on some 4/0 gauge and try to run that
Reply:Try to run about 150' of 4/0 through a firetruck body to all of the different distribution points! You'll certainly excersise all of the finer words in the English language.
Reply:I run 4/0 on all of my machines except the Lincoln 225's. That includes the XMT 304, Eagle 10,000, and Ranger 305. I got a good deal on it used. Over 300 ft for 100 bucks. The Eagle is going to get 2/0 on it soon and probably the same for the inverter. The I have 150 ft leads on the Ranger. I use about 15 ft of 1 or 2 as a whip on my stinger. One has the grond directly on the lead, the other set has a 5 foot 4/0 whip on the ground and quick connects so both sets of leads can be used if needed. I have run 1000 ft of 4/0 before with no problems running 5/32 7018. Lincoln and Miller as well as most welding supply sites have a sizing chart available.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Oh, any free welding lead is useful somehow regardless of size. If you don't need it you probably know someone who does.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.