Extention cord question

[mikeb9550]

I was thinking about making a 50' extension cord for my HH210. I will usually use 10' or so and hear that the cord can build up heat if its rolled up. Does this apply for say 40'? I was going to go 25' but would like the extra length incase I want to do a project outside the garage. I am using 10-3 RV cord wire. The length from the breaker to the plug is about 20'.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

[Sberry]

Wont mean squat with that cord and that machine, make it as long as you want. I had one I used portable around the shop had 70 ft on it for years.

[Brianstick]

How well do you think an extension cord of 50 feet in length (120 volt) would work with a 125 EZ? Would it affect the arc to much?

[Wyoming]

How well do you think an extension cord of 50 feet in length (120 volt) would work with a 125 EZ? Would it affect the arc to much?

Per pg. 13 of your Owner's Manual...14AWG for up to 50ft. and 12AWG for 50-200ft. Personally, If I was looking to build a cord for the welder, I'd go larger gauge so that I would be able to use it for other high amp loads around the shop as well.

[Mr Meck]

Queried H210 owners manual as well. Machine is rated at 24 amps input at rated output, so 10 ga wire should do. If you use a cord wrap say six inches in diameter and roll the 50 ft cord up on that you in effect are making a transformer coil and it will heat up when used if not unrolled.

[MAC702]

inductor, not transformer, but the advice to refrain from using coils in your cord is sound.

Welding machines can use smaller cords than other types of equipment. The manual's recommendations are good. RV cord can power one a LONG ways.

[mikeb9550]

Thanks guys. I wasnt worried about the length unrolled but more so while using it rolled up since mostly, that is the way it will remain. I didnt want to uncoil 50' just to use 10.

[Mr Meck]

Yes, inductor Mac. Thanks for the clarification. As for rolling up the cord use big loops, Like pick a spot 6ft off the floor put up hook, roll cord on that using loops to the floor. Should only be 5 or so loops for a 50ft cord. Easy to use what you want.

[ehgauss]

Extension Cord

A tightly coiled extension cord can build up heat from the resistance loss in the wire (I-squared-R). No matter how large the conductor and how small the current, some heat will be generated. If you're running an appreciable current, even reasonably below the rated ampere capacity of the conductor, and the cord is tightly coiled, e.g., on a spool, the small amount heat generated can build up in the interior of the coil, leading to melting of the insulation and short circuiting. A friend of mine did melt a coiled extension cord running a space heater overnight. Fortunately, it didn't drop onto a flammable surface.

[Sandy]

I don't think inductance/reactance is even an issue with two conductor AC cords. A coil in one conductor, sure but both AC conductors being parallel to each other then looped in a typical loose hand coil, I doubt it. There's already some reactance with the two just being either parallel and/or inter woven as they are in cords, but not enough that it's a consideration for normal motors and welders.

[Sberry]

When I had a lot of cord on I just hung it loose, I finally made a short one that does 95% of it and now have a long one in case of need.

[unit5alive]

I did a 50ft 8/3 extension cord , it works great on any tap , no heat at all.

[mikeb9550]

I was going to hang it from my welding cart so hanging high and loose isnt an option. With 50', my plan was to use a hose reel which will be wrapped tight and close.

I think I will go with the 25' since I have one still from my camper I use to have. If I need something longer, I can make up a longer one since Im sure I have a few 12 gauge in the shed that should work. I would just have to run and get a couple connectors. With the 25' cord, I will have 30' of usable cord.

Thanks again for all your help...

[cope]

Rather than making an extension cord for my MM210, I bought a 25' 8-3 from one of the online welding suppliers and hardwired it to the welder. I am never 25' from the receptacle, but I unroll the whole cord and let it snake around the floor.

BTW, I asked one of the Hobart Experts before doing this and was assured that it would not void my warranty. I did the same for my HH140, and plan to do it on my HH187.

[Brand X]

My new Lincoln C-300 came with 15ft of 6/3 input cable but the work lead was about 7 feet. I think somebody screwed up but It was cheaper to add 15 ft of ground lead. I had it already. That gives me over 30 ft of reach right out of the box.