idealarc 250 - on a 30amp breaker

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So I recently got an idealarc 250 but my shop is only wired for 30 amp right now.  I plan to upgrade it in the near future.  Anyway when I first got the welder I found the breaker would trip at about 100 amp dc on the welder but it had two 50' leads which were way too long for my needs, I split one in half and now the welder has one 30' lead and one 20' ground lead and it appears that helped.  I was able to burn a 1/8" 6011 rod at about 125 amps dc+ on some 1/8" plate (yes it was too hot) and I was able to burn the whole rod without issue.This is great news since I very rarely ever need to go about 125 amps.  I guess shortening the leads helped.Matt
Reply:Good deal. Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:I got a Ferrari, but decided to power it with a lawn mower engine. It works great.......sort of.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:That worked out well.Post your location, I am sure somebody will be willing to come by and take that scrap lead off your handsHobart Beta-Mig 2511972 Miller AEAD-200LEMiller 250 TwinNorthern Ind. Hybrid 200Longevity Stick 140Longevity Migweld 200SThermal Arc Pak 3XR
Reply:As Willie B said "I got a Ferrari, but decided to power it with a lawn mower engine. It works great.......sort of. "Your welder will run on a circuit protected by the 30 Amp circuit breaker.  But it will not have enough power available to the welder to burn rods at full output.The extra long leads should not cause your circuit breaker to open.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:I'm amazed that the thing worked at all. I cannot understand why changing the leads had anything to do with tripping the breaker."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:It should run a 3/32 7018 fine on a 30 amp 230v primary circuit. I'd forget about running a 5/32 7018 on a 30 amp circuit however.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:You're running handicapped.  When you finally get at least a 50A breaker installed (plus #6 AWS wire from the breaker box to the outlet), you'll be much happier.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Shortening a lead would reduce voltage drop but not amperage (load).  Is your shop exposed conduit?  Maybe you can just run another conduit in the ceiling with 50 amp capable wire?