MM175 Power Problems

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I've been running my MM175 MIG for about three years and recently moved to a new shop.  For some strange reason the welder will work in my garage (where I've been using it for several years) but not in my new shop.  I've checked voltage in the new shop at the outlet with a simple voltage checker (on that has lights for 110-115 volts, 220-230 volts, etc - no actual reading of the voltage) and at the breaker box with my multi-meter.  I get 230 volts at the breaker box and the 220-230 light lights at the outlet.I used the same extension cord in both places.  My 230 volt plasma cutter works at the new shop.Any thoughts?Thanks in advance!
Reply:Does this voltage checker actually measure 230 volts across the two legs or is it 120 to-grd and 120  to-grd?
Reply:What Model Plasma- is it  Multivoltage?Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Hey, Ed, I'm gonna check my MM175 to see if it's a plasma. Maybe I've been missing something all these yrs!!! Just kiddin' ya.  To the OP, When you say it doesn't work, do you mean dead?? Try to be more specific. Have you checked for voltage drop across both hots at receptacle where the mig cord plugs in while trying to run the mig? If you have a poor connection somewhere it could rewad 230 v w/o a load on the circuit but drop down w/ load applied to it. I realize this is a new shop, but like the old saying goes: $hit happens.                                     HTH,                                            MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:He said His Plasma cutter works dats why I asked about the PlasmaEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1He said His Plasma cutter works dats why I asked about the Plasma
Reply:Originally Posted by MudinyeriI've been running my MM175 MIG for about three years and recently moved to a new shop.  For some strange reason the welder will work in my garage (where I've been using it for several years) but not in my new shop.  I've checked voltage in the new shop at the outlet with a simple voltage checker (on that has lights for 110-115 volts, 220-230 volts, etc - no actual reading of the voltage) and at the breaker box with my multi-meter.  I get 230 volts at the breaker box and the 220-230 light lights at the outlet.I used the same extension cord in both places.  My 230 volt plasma cutter works at the new shop.Any thoughts?Thanks in advance!
Reply:Wow!  Lots of good questions and info guys.  This forum doesn't seem to have a multi-quote feature so I'll try to respond to everything.Plasma is Hypertherm Powermax 30 and yes, it's dual voltage.  I've never used it on 115 volt power so I don't even know how to switch it.  LOL  It's possible that it switches automatically and that's why it's working.  The welder is not "dead."  The fan spins slowly leading me to believe it's getting some power but not enough.  The gun doesn't work when I hit the trigger and the fan doesn't spin nearly as aggressively as normal.  This all seems to support the "leg" theory proposed here.  I'll have to check the breaker box as I didn't do the wiring.I tried to use my volt/ohm meter to check the voltage but the prongs weren't long enough.  I'll have to figure out a way to extend them.
Reply:Originally Posted by MudinyeriWow!  Lots of good questions and info guys.  This forum doesn't seem to have a multi-quote feature so I'll try to respond to everything.Plasma is Hypertherm Powermax 30 and yes, it's dual voltage.  I've never used it on 115 volt power so I don't even know how to switch it.  LOL  It's possible that it switches automatically and that's why it's working.  The welder is not "dead."  The fan spins slowly leading me to believe it's getting some power but not enough.  The gun doesn't work when I hit the trigger and the fan doesn't spin nearly as aggressively as normal.  This all seems to support the "leg" theory proposed here.  I'll have to check the breaker box as I didn't do the wiring.I tried to use my volt/ohm meter to check the voltage but the prongs weren't long enough.  I'll have to figure out a way to extend them.
Reply:Yup, I narrowed it down to the wiring in the shop as soon as I plugged it in in my garage last night.  FWIW, I used the idiot light tester to measure across both legs of the outlet and the extension cord.  Couldn't get my volt/ohm meter down in there to measure the actual voltage though.  I wouldn't be surprised to find that there's something mis-wired to the outlet.  The breaker box looked like a rat's nest when I opened it up.
Reply:The Powermax30 power supply automatically selects either 120 volts or 230 volts, as appropriatedat's why it woikedEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Well, I feel like an idiot ... not only am I not familiar with how my plasma switches voltage, but I discovered that the problem with my welder was with the wiring in the extension cord that I use (that I made).I had to put a new end on the cord to fit a different style outlet at the shop.  When I did that, I managed to switch the ground and one of the power leads so I was only getting 115-117 volts through the cord.  Glad to find out that it was nothing serious though.  Thanks for your help.I actually got some welding done today too!
Reply:Originally Posted by Mudinyeri  When I did that, I managed to switch the ground and one of the power leads so I was only getting 115-117 volts through the cord.
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Not only that but you made the Case HOT!!! You got lucky
Reply:Originally Posted by MudinyeriI had to put a new end on the cord to fit a different style outlet at the shop.  When I did that, I managed to switch the ground and one of the power leads so I was only getting 115-117 volts through the cord.
Reply:Yes, I'm fortunate nothing ever got hot.  I never left it plugged in more than a few seconds after it didn't work as I figured something like this was the issue.  Believe it or not my grandfather was an electrician and I grew up wiring houses and out buildings with him.