three phase welders

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OK guys , electric techs(PLEASE RESPOND)&welders &anyone else experienced with 3phase power.CAN3phase machine be rewired to run on single phase&then run AT A REDUCED DUTY CYCLE?I undwer stand that the machine is not gonna run at full potential,but WILL IT WORK?There are gobs of machines out there that are reeeel cheeeeeep,any of you guys out there could answer?it sure would help,thank you     Rick Beaver,raytown,missouri
Reply:If it's a big old transformer machine, the quick answer is YES it potentially can be re-wired.  I saw a 3phase, 300 amp miller from the 60's that had been rewired for 220 single phase years ago.  I think the max output was 200amps after the change.  However, I dont have any concrete information about how to do it or how it affects the weld.  My basic understanding is that you have to use 1 or 2 of the three transformers, most of the stuff I have seen discussed uses 2.  There are lots of folks here that know about wiring and electricity, I consider myself more of a spectator in this area.  So, you want to do a good bit more research before you start buying welders and changing wires.  I guess the best thing might be to get a wiring diagram of a single phase welder and one of a three phase welder from before the advent of circuit boards.  This would be a good starting point to solving the problem.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Originally Posted by Rick Beaver........CAN3phase machine be rewired to run on single phase&then run AT A REDUCED DUTY CYCLE?I undwer stand that the machine is not gonna run at full potential,but WILL IT WORK?
Reply:Dang, you got a steal!  Good snag....Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.