How much lead can you run on a Trailblazer

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I have to go into the local target store and do some work on some doors. They will not let me pull my rig into their loading area, so i have to run some leads. I have 150 feet of ground and work lead. That is total of 300 feet tied to the machine. The wire size is 1/0. I need to add additional 100 feet to each line. I have no idea of what size i need. I will be flux welding with my suitcase 11 ga door frames headers. Not alot of welding, just really deep into the store. Any ideas????
Reply:Owner's manuals are wonderful things,,,,,,,,http://www.millerwelds.com/om/o4426x_mil.pdfCheck section 5-8, page 24 ......
Reply:1/0 should do it.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:For 11 ga metal wouldn't be cheaper and easier to beg, barrow or rent a large 120 volt mig welder? if you have to buy some more cable for no more than your doing you could add 100 foot of 2 ga lead to the end of each 1/0 lead. This is really an expensive way of doing things. I don't see how the job would pay enough to cover the cost of 200 ft of 2 ga lead and the connectors. But with saying that I have bought 200 ft of lead just to weld a small crack in a hydraulic cylinder on a baler the was deep inside of an Old Time Pottery store. It would have cost thousands to pull the cylinder and replace it.Last edited by tresi; 08-02-2008 at 12:32 PM.
Reply:The doors are just the first part of the project. I have about 3 months worth of work to do there.i will be using these leads all the time. I am going to buy 2/0 and connect my 1/0 to thoses. I am thinking that will do what i need it to do.
Reply:yeah, It would be cheaper to use an inverter with a LONG extension cord.  11 Ga is 1/8".  Plug it in to your ranger 8.I have a V155-S.  The book claims it will run on 200' of 12 gauge extension cord.  I have used 125' plugged into my ranger 250.  It did the job just fine. I was tigging 3/16 and smaller angle.I think stick and fluxcore make the same amount of smoke.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by Ag SpecialtiesThe doors are just the first part of the project. I have about 3 months worth of work to do there.i will be using these leads all the time. I am going to buy 2/0 and connect my 1/0 to thoses. I am thinking that will do what i need it to do.
Reply:Overkill is better than underkill .....  I have smoked more than one set of cables, using too small and too long, for too much time.   Ag Spec is on the right track .......
Reply:Yes the doors are over kill, but next week we have to weld in 8" I beams. That wouldn't be over kill. The doors are not my concern, the bigger stuff we will be getting into is my concern.
Reply:2/0, while very expensive, is a good choice for the TB. I was used to running Bobcats and 200a machines and always used 1/0. When I got my TB and started running hotter, I started burning up leads, esp right at the ground clamp. I went with a 2/0 base and used the 1/0 as extensions and the problems has gone away completely. Your leads must be heavy enough for what you could possibly be doing. Getting lighter ones might just bite you later.
Reply:Originally Posted by Ag SpecialtiesYes the doors are over kill, but next week we have to weld in 8" I beams. That wouldn't be over kill. The doors are not my concern, the bigger stuff we will be getting into is my concern.
Reply:All I saw is 11 ga.  I wouldn't use my V155-S to weld an 8" I beam.  DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:sorry about that guys. Yes this is a very big job and we do this kind of work all the time, but i have never had a store be so picky about the welder being in the store. I just bought 200 feet of 2/0 for 590.00 That is 2.95 a foot. I thought that was an awsome price.
Reply:Depending on how big your welders are... just rent a generator and move 'em up close."A winner isn't someone who doesn't lose, a winner is someone who doesn't quit."
Reply:Originally Posted by z0diacDepending on how big your welders are... just rent a generator and move 'em up close.
Reply:I ran 4/0 on the Trailblazer I used to use, but then again I run it on my inverter, and both Lincoln engine drives. I've never smoked a set of leads, lol. It's more up front but all it takes is one set of smaller leads smoked to make up the difference.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:AG, one thing to think about in the future is a propane conversion. One of our contractors did that on his Trailblazer to do some work indoors and he loves it.