Need help figuring out power supply

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Hi,My son brought a campbell hausfield model ws2800 arc welder.It is 230 volt input, 180 amps, 50 amp circuit breaker. I thought one could use the dryer plug but the plug is different.My question is: How do I get a power supply for this?Can I buy a step up transformer 110v-230v? What specifics would I need to look for in such a device.How would I dertermine it has the right receptacle?Can I buy a plug the converts the dryer plug to the right size/shape?Do I need an electrician to install a specific socket?Any other suggestions or sources for the above?Thanks for your help,Michael Doherty
Reply:By your questions, I would use an electrican.  Also Welcome.   JohnSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:Welcome to the forum. A clothes dryer is normally on a 30A max. circuit with a 30A breaker (10/2 wire). A 50 A circuit needs a 50A breaker and at LEAST 8/2 min. or 6/2 wire.If you hook that welder to the existing circuit and use the welder on max load, you'reeither going to be popping the breaker alot and re-setting it or you're going to heat the existing wiring up...possibly causing a fire. Do it SAFE, if you have any doubts, spend the extra dollars and hire an electrician! The few hundred dollars you spend is nothing compared to replacinga entire house, the furnishings, the keepsakes, etc. You can buy the plug and socket at Home Depot or similar. See my thread here: http://www.weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread...ight=extensionAnother helpful thread here: http://www.weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread...ight=extensionLast edited by MicroZone; 12-01-2007 at 12:44 PM.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Thanks for your replies. It is a 3 prong 30 amp dryer plug.
Reply:Electrician! Welders use a lot of power and if it is rated at 50 you need a 50. If your insurance company saw it they would have a fit. My old Lincolin TIG 300/300 had a tag that said 117amps input and I had it on a 100amp breaker (220v single phase) and when an adjuster came out to look a the roof we were talking and he noticed he told me I needed a statemint from an electrician or he would cancel my policy. I produced a letter for them and they were happy (American Family). Please do the right thing. Steel Thunder Welding LLC. St. Thomas VI USAMM350PBOBCAT 3MAXSTAR 150 STH375 EXTREME PLASMA6.5 HP COMPRESORDEWALT 18, 24, AND 36 VOLTO/A TORCH SETAND SO MUCH MORE I DONT REMEMBERALL IN MY 2005 2500HD EXTENDED CAB L/B