Minimum Input Power for Precision Tig 275?

admin

Hello welding web forum  This is my first post and I am hopeful some will chime in to answer my question...The question is concerning minimum power input (@ the circuit breaker) to run a Lincoln Precision Tig 275 (ready pak) I am considering buying. Previously I have previously owned a Precision Tig 225 and was very happy with it. This machine was run off a 50 amp electric dryer circuit. I experienced no problems with this setup and never tripped the breaker. That machine got sold before I moved to hawaii a few years ago and I am wanting another welder.  I am considering a Precision Tig 275. In my just re-wired house, I spec'd 2 x separate 50 amp circuits (10-3) in the garage to run a welder and a compressor. The house now has 200 amp service. In doing research on the Lincoln 275 it seems people are advising a single 100 amp circuit to run the machine. Notwithstanding the likihood that I will probably end up buying another Precision Tig 225, I am wondering if I presently "have what I need" in terms of breaker power to run the 275 machine?  I am assuming a single, 50 amp circuit will not reliably run the 275, correct? Any advice is greatly appreciated.AlohaSteve
Reply:I'm concerned with this:" 50 amp circuits (10-3)"did you use 10g wire for these 2 50amp circuits?  Ok in some set ups but no way for the PT275. If you used 6g wire you could probably get away with running the PT275 on lower power.Last edited by Broccoli1; 01-15-2014 at 06:24 PM.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:Before I got my Syncrowave 250, I had 220v 50 amp circuit breakers like you. The minute I started using "some" amps welding with my Syncrowave, it would start popping the breakers. I eventually went with big 4 gage wiring and 70 amp circuit breakers. Pulling that big and heavy of a wire thru my garage attic and walls was one big pain in the butt. However, I never had a problem again with the breakers popping and I like to weld fairly thick aluminum. 50 amp circuit breakers aren't going to work out very well for you with that big machine unless you are just going to weld thin stuff.http://groverelectric.com/howto/08_H...%20Wattage.pdfTodd
Reply:Thanks for the feedback...Yes the 2x 50 amp circuits are 10g wire. If I had known ahead of time (prior to re-wiring the house) that a 50 amp circuit might not be enough, I could have used heavier wire.Is there a way to tie the 2x 50 amp circuits together? I have the 2x j-boxes installed 6 inches from one another on the garage wall, each containing 10-3 romex (I believe). Neither are being used currently, both with cover plates.
Reply:Well for starters you can't use Romex on that circuit since you have 10g wire. It needs a 30 amp breaker.You would need single wire to be up to code for 10g and a 50amp breaker for a dedicated circuit. It really isn't a good ideer in a home/geerage scenario. You can't combine the 2 50amp circuits.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:Thanks very much for taking the time to claify.Aloha
Reply:I have run a Miller Syncrowave on a 50 amp breaker many times. Should be a 70 amp fuse.If you are welding steel 1/4 inch or less you will have no problems. (125 amps)If you are welding 1/2 thick aluminum plate you will have a problem. How often do you weld 1/2 aluminum?The danger is if the cooling fan comes on and then it trips and shuts down,  then the electrical components cannot get cooled.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder