Changing leads on a stickmate

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I'm wanting to increase lead length on my stickmate.  It has 4 awg size now.  How long could I run this size?  Should I get 2awg?  Wanting to get to 50'Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Reply:Is that 50 feet total, or 50 ft ground lead and 50 foot electrode lead?  I would go with 2 AWG.  Pick a chart, any chart: "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:That's what I needed, thanks!   2 it is.Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Reply:One thing I like to do is put quick connectors on the 2awg wire and put ~10ft of 4awg on the stinger. The 4awg is a lot lighter so it doesn't drag the stringer down as much.My "collection":Homemade Stick WelderVictor O/A TorchAC 225Ideal Arc 250HF 90 Amp Flux CoreHF Mig 170Solar 2020 Plasma CutterPower i-Mig 140EHarris O/A torchHF Dual Mig 131140STAlpha Tig 200x
Reply:Good idea on the lighter whip, especially if the existing #4 is still in good shape.  If the whip gets cut or melted, no big deal.Inexpensive sources of cable are TEMCo (on Amazon) and Electron Beam Technologies (prices and monthly specials listed on Facebook)."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:Originally Posted by Iain POne thing I like to do is put quick connectors on the 2awg wire and put ~10ft of 4awg on the stinger. The 4awg is a lot lighter so it doesn't drag the stringer down as much.
Reply:You might want to consider changing your fixed leads to dinse connectors on the machine.Then it's easy to change the length of your leads and you can also buy pre-made whips and extensions.
Reply:Originally Posted by Pete.S.You might want to consider changing your fixed leads to dinse connectors on the machine.Then it's easy to change the length of your leads and you can also buy pre-made whips and extensions.
Reply:1/0 seems a bit overkill unless you have very long leads.  1 gauge would be easier to drag around.Here's some current prices from Electron Beam technologies:4g (23 mm sq) EBT Part No. 46-PXL...... $0.78 per foot2g (35 mm sq) EBT Part No. 69-PXL...... $1.13 per foot1g (43 mm sq) EBT Part No. 84-PXL...... $1.38 per foot1/0 (54 mm sq) EBT Part No. 107-PXL...... $1.75 per foot"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:I'm still waffling back and forth on what I need/want.  The welder is on a cart and is fairly mobile.  It would do fine as it is but longer leads would be nice.  I will probably settle on 2ga 50 feet (ground and stinger combined length.  Then keep the 15 ft 4 GA whip at the stinger.Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by kendallI'm still waffling back and forth on what I need/want.  The welder is on a cart and is fairly mobile.  It would do fine as it is but longer leads would be nice.  I will probably settle on 2ga 50 feet (ground and stinger combined length.  Then keep the 15 ft 4 GA whip at the stinger.
Reply:I had a job that needed longer leads on the welder, I took 25 foot number 4  cables for a Miller and clamped the ground to one end and the stinger to the other end. It worked fine, I'm sure OSHA would have a melt down.
Reply:Sorry to dig up a 4 year old thread but this seemed like the most relevant thread I could find.I have a 160 amp IGBT stick welder with a 60% duty cycle. I am 100 percent a home hobbyist. If I read the chats above correctly, I am good with 4 AWG for 70FT of total lead length correct? Doesn't matter if the stinger is 50ft and ground clamp is 20ft or any other combination such as  35/35 split correct?
Reply:Originally Posted by akcooper9Sorry to dig up a 4 year old thread but this seemed like the most relevant thread I could find.I have a 160 amp IGBT stick welder with a 60% duty cycle. I am 100 percent a home hobbyist. If I read the chats above correctly, I am good with 4 AWG for 70FT of total lead length correct? Doesn't matter if the stinger is 50ft and ground clamp is 20ft or any other combination such as  35/35 split correct?