Can I convert 3 wire stick welder to 4 wire plug

[hunterridgefarm]

I have my Dads old stick welder that has the 3 prong plug and would like to convert it to 4 wire plug to run off the generator.

I know I cannot replace the plug only and was looking to replace the entire cord. I took the cover off the welder and not sure if I can since there is only a 2 wire connection, plus ground.

Is this possible?

I would like to be able to transport to the other farm when needed, no power there, and run with the generator.

Thanks,
David

 

[buickanddeere]

You can make a short patch cable and run the ground and two live lines to the welder plug. 4 to 3 , no problem. 3 to a 4 is a problem.

 

[Silvic]

Do yourself a short little pig tail. Use the two hots and the ground on the male 4 prong twist lock and do not connect the common. One male twist lock plug with a female 3 prong (correct [plug/receptacles for the purpose) and a 18-24 inch 3 wire cord of # 8 and you are good to go. Then you still have the earlier flexibility of plugging into your previous receptacle.

He typed faster than I did:laughing:

 

[Ed of all trades]

I just put a 4 prong plug on the end of my welders cord. I just hooked up the three wires and it worked well.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Okay, I talked with the welding supplier that supplies all on welding stuff at work. He said cut the 3 prong off and wire it to the 4 prong plug, I just won't have a neutral wire connected to the plug.

Good/bad idea??

I am in the dark on this one.

 

[George2615]

Yes you can put a 4 prong plug on the welder to fit the generator. Just need 2 hots and a ground, 4th terminal (neutral) wouldn't be used. It will work fine.

 

[aczlan]

Okay, I talked with the welding supplier that supplies all on welding stuff at work. He said cut the 3 prong off and wire it to the 4 prong plug, I just won't have a neutral wire connected to the plug.

He is correct. The 4th wire is only needed if you have something that uses 120V. If everything runs off of 240V, and the ground just attaches to the case, the 4th wire is unneeded and you can just replace the 3 wire plug with a 4 eire one.

Aaron Z

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Hopefully this will be my last question

Most of the box stores only carry a 30 amp plug and I figured I would need a 50 amp which I can get. However, this got me to think about the amp on the receptacle on the generator, I check and it is rated for 30 amps and has two 30 amp beakers.

Can I put a 30 amp plug on this welder and it work? It is 30-200 amp welder and I was planning to use 1/8" rods, pictures attached.

If I can use the 30amp plug I assume I will need to run the welder at the lower settings?

Or, just trash it and buy another

 

[tomcat7359]

I think you could use a 30 amp plug on your welder, since your generator is only going to supply 30 amps before the circuit breaker "opens" The data plate on your welder says it needs a total of 42 amps, but that would be when you have it cranked all the way up to 200 amps.. If you are only going to use 1/8" rods, you probably are going to be below 140 amps of welding amperage..

 

[buickanddeere]

Do it right with a 50amp three prong instead of pharting around . Then your welder is up to standard and will plug into any welding receptacle.