How much stinger lead can a Lincoln AC/DC use properly?

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I usually don't use my stick welder much unless it's outside of my garage but the last couple of days.. it's been a pain in my rear.  I've been framing a storage building so I'm back and forth. The stinger lead is way too short.  It is probably only around ten foot.  This is how it came when I bought it new.  Can and how much lead can you add to the stinger?  It's getting old having to move this thing every time I need to weld up another beam. Attached Images
Reply:I put some 25 ft cables on mine, I had to do some modifications at the machine, it seems to be working ok, most I have used it with was 1/8 - 7018 at about 130 Amps. I used some couplers to convert it from number 4 to 1 size cable.Guy_48Welding is an art......Millermatic 252Lincoln SP175PlusLincoln 225 AC/DC
Reply:you can run several hundred feet if you need to
Reply:I don't know what the new Owners Manual has in it, but the old manuals always had a chart explaining cable length verses Amps/Voltage drop. Maybe now a days they assume that Box Store purchaser's have no interest in knowing the correct facts?There are a couple of threads on here about welding lead length. You just need to use the Search function to find the info you want.
Reply:My dad has 100ft leads on our Buzz Box in case he needs to weld something that we can't get near the shop...Miller Performance AD Helmet - Camo Edition Soon to have: Jackson HSL 100 - Forest Digi CamoMiller Thunderbolt AC/DC((Currently at welding school))
Reply:Originally Posted by drujininI don't know what the new Owners Manual has in it, but the old manuals always had a chart explaining cable length verses Amps/Voltage drop. Maybe now a days they assume that Box Store purchaser's have no interest in knowing the correct facts?There are a couple of threads on here about welding lead length. You just need to use the Search function to find the info you want.
Reply:Just remember to put the bigger cable at the machine first bigger cable will not help if it is on the end of a smaller cableMillermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:Originally Posted by farmshopJust remember to put the bigger cable at the machine first bigger cable will not help if it is on the end of a smaller cable
Reply:Originally Posted by farmshopJust remember to put the bigger cable at the machine first bigger cable will not help if it is on the end of a smaller cable
Reply:I've extended my Lincoln about 75 feet with no problems. Haven't needed more but wouldn't hesitate to add it.Just remember to put the bigger cable at the machine first bigger cable will not help if it is on the end of a smaller cable
Reply:I've seen alot of extension cords melted when someone plugs a 100' 10ga cord into a 14ga cord. To me its like a hose if you start with a 1/2" hose that's all you're going to get no matter what you add. Granted the opaque machine will not test the leadsMillermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:As others have said you can easily add 100'. I added panel mount Tweco's to a 225S I have and that makes things much easier to add whatever length you need. I also replaced the little 10ga input cord with 6ga. Most of the leads I have are #2 or #1. After uping wire sizes, although an overkill, there is noticable differance in the way it welds for the better. Some pics of the connectors and leads. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by farmshopTo me its like a hose if you start with a 1/2" hose that's all you're going to get no matter what you add. Granted the opaque machine will not test the leads
Reply:What's the part number on that Tweco panel fitting? I like how the cable goes into it rather than requiring a lug.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmshopJust remember to put the bigger cable at the machine first bigger cable will not help if it is on the end of a smaller cable
Reply:Actually, the electrons don't care which order the cables are in, but it is usual to put the thinner cable on the stinger for ease of handling.If you are extending the cables a significant distance, go with #1 cable.Nathan's idea with the panel-mount connectors is d@mnably cool.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:I have long leads on my old buzzbox. I don't remember exactly how long, but I can get way out into the driveway, so maybe 40 or 50 ft.  Same size as the original leads, I think, and have never had a problem. If I was going to go 100' or so, I would use 1/0 all the way back to the machine. Now, how about some pic's of this building project you're working on ? That's what I want to see !
Reply:Originally Posted by BradTNNow, how about some pic's of this building project you're working on ? That's what I want to see !
Reply:Those panel quick connects are highly cool....When I had a buzzbox, I had those tweco quick connects flopping outside the machine.  Apparently if you run a long cable coiled up and use only a few feet of it, there's some kind of inductive electrical thingy that happens and affects the arc.  So I had a 50' setup and a 15'.  Did just about everything with that.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:The panel connects are Tweco 9580110 and use Tweco MPC1 connectors. Very simple to add and clean up the welder a lot. You can store cable(s) elseware instead of wrapping around machine. I use cables on other welders also.
Reply:I just use either one 25' or two together (50' total) welder extension cord(s) for my AC/DC-225 machine.  This extension cord is 8 ga wire with illuminated male and female ends (to let you know you are "hot").  Usually, just the one 25' is long enough down my drive way.  If I want to move the welder a tad further, I connect a second 25' cord.  I could have bought just a simple 50' length, but I wanted the versatility and option to run either a long cord (50' total) or a shorter one (25').My 6-50 NEMA plug in the garage is 6 ga wire with only a 3' lead from outlet to panel box.  It's on a 50Amp breaker and I've run my Lincoln Tombstone on full 225 amps with a 50' extension cord on it as a test.  It never tripped the breaker, nor did it get hot.  Then again, when am I ever going to use the full 225 amps on that machine with a 50' extension cord?  NEVER!  I checked a wire calculator that showed I wouldn't have to worry about voltage drop until I got above 75' of power cord extension, which I'll never do.  I contemplated on buying larger welding leads for my Tombstone as the OP suggested, but then thought getting the 8ga extension cord would make ALL of my welders and plasma cutter more versatile if need be.      Here's the cord.  It's HEAVY DUTY!!!!!  Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:That is the eact same cord(s) that I use and , oddly enough, I got two 25' cords instead of one 50' for the same reasons you stated. My 2nd cord has not yet been out of the box. So far the 25' has been enough and is easy to handle and store.
Reply:Any cable supplier, via online catalogs, will show a max length for each ga lead.JUST REMEMBER THAT THE MAX LENGTH IS THE TOTAL RUN NOT JUST THE ONE WAY RUN OUT TO THE STINGER OR WORK CLAMP, IT'S TOTAL OUT/BACK.Extension cords are really the cheapest most effective way to get extra reach.  And you don't have to fight with a bazillion feet of lead."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammExtension cords are really the cheapest most effective way to get extra reach.  And you don't have to fight with a bazillion feet of lead.