Running 220v welder on 110v? Can it be done?

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I just bought a new plasma cutter and i really like how you can change voltages just by changing the plug at the end of the power cord.I always wondered if i could do the same thing with my mig welder. The machine is a lincoln Mig 15. Its simaler/same as the Pro Mig 175. Its a pretty basic machine. I guess the transformer could easily work with less voltage. Anybody know if the wire feed circuitry would be ok? A friend actally has the 110v version and mine feeds wire approximately twice as fast. Could be an indication that the feed stuff is all the same.Anybody here have any thoughts? Will it work without damage?
Reply:I don't think it'll work.                                MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Originally Posted by mmurray70Will it work without damage?
Reply:A transformer can be run at half voltage... but the output from the transformer will be half of what it's supposed to be.For example, if at 240 volts, the transformer output is 36 volts... At 120 volts input to the transformer, the output would be 18 volts.This is why you see a lot of the machines with little jumpers that you have to adjust for different voltages. The transformers are constructed with multiple input windings, so that it can compensate for the input voltage while leaving the output voltage the same.If your machine does not have voltage adjustment jumpers (for a multi-winding transformer), or it does not have a switching power supply (like a Miller DVI), then I would NOT try running it at half voltage. Odds are you may not damage anything by plugging it in, but there's a decent chance you might smoke the thing if you actually try to weld with it. From basic power formulas, at half the voltage, it takes twice the current to make the same power. Current causes heat, heat lets smoke out.Last edited by cabletech; 11-03-2012 at 11:33 AM.The soldering toys pay for the welding toys.Hakko 928 dual iron, 4xHakko 936Madell 850D Hot Air SMT ReworkMiller 252, HTP Invertig 201 AC/DC, and a Hypertherm 45.
Reply:For welding you need 15-24 volt from a small welder.If you cut the input in half,you end up with 7.5-12v,not enough to even weld with low power.
Reply:No.                        Fan will run at half speed and dumb stuff like that . Output sparks abit. Windings are not wound for 110v
Reply:What if you got an extention chord and plugged it into a 110, 115, or 120 volt outlet whatever you want to call a normal outlet.  Take the end of the chord and a volt meter around to other outlets until you found one fed off the other half of the panel and hence have 220 230 or 240 whatever you want to call it.  I always have been able to find a 230 outlet and never had to do that but it should be good for 15 amps (at 230 volts wired the right way) anyway wouldn't it?
Reply:Originally Posted by fran...k.What if you got an extention chord and plugged it into a 110, 115, or 120 volt outlet whatever you want to call a normal outlet.  Take the end of the chord and a volt meter around to other outlets until you found one fed off the other half of the panel and hence have 220 230 or 240 whatever you want to call it.  I always have been able to find a 230 outlet and never had to do that but it should be good for 15 amps (at 230 volts wired the right way) anyway wouldn't it?
Reply:All I can say if it doesn't say it nowhere on the machine don't try to run it on that voltageWill   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:Originally Posted by fran...k.What if you got an extention chord and plugged it into a 110, 115, or 120 volt outlet whatever you want to call a normal outlet.  Take the end of the chord and a volt meter around to other outlets until you found one fed off the other half of the panel and hence have 220 230 or 240 whatever you want to call it.  I always have been able to find a 230 outlet and never had to do that but it should be good for 15 amps (at 230 volts wired the right way) anyway wouldn't it?
Reply:I wouldn't, unless you are willing to sacrifice the unit as part of the "experiment".If the question is based on not having a 240v outlet, you CAN rube up both hot legs from your service from 2 different legged 120v outlets. Then if one trips while you are welding, you can always get a factory smoke replacement kit, though I have never been able to find them on the SEVERAL occasions needed.....But depending on the capacity and available space at your load center / breaker panel, and the distance to your welding area, its not that big a deal to run a 10/3 wire and add a 30A double pole breaker (assuming the 30A is sufficient for you welders) The #6 I ran for the 50A circiut gets expensive fast, but not that much more over the #10 since you still have to buy the breaker, outlet, back box / mud ring, etc.If you have an electric dryer, or other 240V/30A circuit nearby, you could run your outlet to that (check local codes), but you just cant run the dryer and weld at the same time.I am always trying to get by on the cheap out of necessity if I want to do any hobby stuff, but sometimes you just gotta do it right or don't do it.Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 and WP17. 75A AC is for pipe thawing!HH 140 - new addtion 9/2012.I didn't agree, but hoped for Hope and Change.I got change for myself and my family: for the worse.This is the reality of: Barackalypse Now. Again.