Dumb question??

admin

Just wondering if having 200 ft of lead will effect the amps when im welding, also would windy conditions effect my puddle and penetration. SMAW, 7018. Thanks in advance.
Reply:Yes very long leads does have an effect since it puts more resistance in the circuit.  Most people turn the amperage up a bit.  Someone might be able to explain the effect but it does alter the volt-amp curve.  It has to be storm force before you would notice a problem from the wind.  At that point your helmet is being blown off your head LOL.
Reply:So, I have to ask, what is the reason for asking these questions?I weld on 200+ leads all the time, and don't really notice a difference.What size leads? What size rod? What base material?  New rod? Rod laying around? Out of an oven?The more info the better to help us help you.Miller bobcat 225g  - spoolmatic 1Mm250 - 30a spoolMiller spectrum 375Thermal arc 95 Everlast Ex 250As the boiler turns, these are the days of our lives
Reply:If you look up the resistance on cables even when properly sized there is a resistance.  If you are 200 feet away that is 400 feet of cable. There is a set resistance of the arc when the current passes through the air.  It is like you are welding with an extra long arc.  This puts you on a different part of the volt amp curve so the arc characteristics change.  You can raise the amp setting but the droop characteristics are different.  An old welder told me about actually scrounging a stainless steel resistance coil to put in his weld circuit for certain applications.  I have grey hair myself,,,, what's left of it, and I can't recollect the specifics other than he wanted to change the arc characteristics and that is how he did it.
Reply:Also long leads, coiled up, especially around a steel core when using AC current acts like a transformer coil which causes AC impedance (resistance) as well which will reduce the voltage available at the arc.  Good to know when you are trying to weld with a buzzbox with low voltage to start with, always uncoil the leads on AC."The reason we are here is that we are not all there"SA 200Idealarc TM 300 300MM 200MM 25130a SpoolgunPrecision Tig 375Invertec V350 ProSC-32 CS 12 Wire FeederOxweld/Purox O/AArcAirHypertherm Powermax 85LN25
Reply:thanks for all the information, i figured it needed to go up but i was told by the foreman that it didnt effect it, and i aint got the brass on my collar to argue..lol, as far as why im askin these questions is im on a job where i have 200ft of lead wrapped on the top of my welder, stretched to the roof, wrapped again up top to keep it from blockin a walk way, no way around it, boss man says it has to be that way, OSHA or somthin, my stinger and ground both are stretched this way. im using 7018 1/8thinch rod kept in a rod caddie, thats constantly plugged in and unplugged due to havin 1 cord and multipal jobs goin on. I was welding 1/8th inch brackets on to 1 1/2 I beam. it was hard to keep an arc it seemed almost like the ground was bad or i was extremely cold, i had to strike and pull the arc back untill it got hot before i could move my rod. Machine is a Lincoln classic 300D. thanks again for all ur help.