Can I run my welder on 220 with my generator

[MinnesotaEric]

My generator has a 30A 120/240 VAC L14-30 female plug...
Can i make a convert or plug to plug my 60-50R male from welder? Is this considered 220 volts?

thanks

Yes, you're maxed at 220v, 30A. Plenty to stick weld farm stuff with. As radios1 said, you need 12k to get the full 50Amps. zzvyb6 has an interesting suggestion. If we consider your wiring hack as a sub box, then nuetrals/commons to nuetrals/commons ands don't wire nuetral/commons to grounds as you would on a main pannel (just learned this myself last month).

 

[WranglerX]

maybe not, it could be a camper plug and only has 115 VAC. Which generator is it?

What is a "camper" plug.... By definition a L14-30 labeled as 120/240 IS a 240 Volt AC circuit.... Amp capacity though will vary accordant to generator specifications/motor... But plug its self is only rated at 30 amp...

A 3 prong twist lock L5-30 or L5-20 or L5-15 will be (most likely) a 120 volt plug...

Dale

 

[WranglerX]

I do it all the time. Make sure you have the neutrals connected because your welder may use 120v for a controller, fan, valve, indicator lights, etc.

IF so welder ""should"" have 4 prong plug to get a proper "neutral" (not ground) for 120 volt circuits....

Dale

 

[radios1]

What is a "camper" plug.... By definition a L14-30 labeled as 120/240 IS a 240 Volt AC circuit.... Amp capacity though will vary accordant to generator specifications/motor... But plug its self is only rated at 30 amp...

A 3 prong twist lock L5-30 or L5-20 or L5-15 will be (most likely) a 120 volt plug...

Dale

from what I remember, campers only use 120 Volt circuits for safety reasons.. I never heard of a camper with 240 Volt appliances!.

 

[Deere Dude]

from what I remember, campers only use 120 Volt circuits for safety reasons.. I never heard of a camper with 240 Volt appliances!.

I believe you are correct. Even though many use a 240 volt plug it just breaks down to more 120 volt circuits.

 

[nikdfish]

I just made a little adapter (NEMA-6-50 receptacle -> L14-30 plug) to run our old Lincoln AC-225 tombstone from the Champion 7K dual fuel out at the tractor shed. No issues to date, but haven't run it set for more than maybe 130 amps for what I've been doing to date.

 

[ddbackhoe]

What is a "camper" plug.... By definition a L14-30 labeled as 120/240 IS a 240 Volt AC circuit.... Amp capacity though will vary accordant to generator specifications/motor... But plug its self is only rated at 30 amp...

A 3 prong twist lock L5-30 or L5-20 or L5-15 will be (most likely) a 120 volt plug...

Dale

Camper = RV, etc. I have seen some smaller knock off generators that have a L14-30 plug but the generator only produces 115VAC not 220/240. In the camper world, smaller units use a 115/30 and larger ones use 220/50 service. I guess some of the import places only wanted to stock one outlet or never bothered to check the requirement? Hence the question of what generator do you have?

 

[zzvyb6]

My Miller Thunderbolt uses 120v for a cooling fan. No neutral, no fan and overheated. My Miller 211 with all the indicators, selectors and panel has a 3 prong plug. My receptacle outlet is wired with the neutral. Both welders run perfectly on the 3 prong. Note that the 211 has a 120v option with a changeout plug and it runs just fine on 120v. My tractor powered WinPower 50Kw alternator has only 3 prong outlets, middle one is neutral. Both welders run nicely off the tractor.

Haven't tried them with my Honda EU6500IS but that's 4 prong on the 240v receptacle and I have a contingency cord to run black and red for + and white for neutral. Chassis ground is a bolt-on at the side, not sure where that will go, but I'm listening.

 

[WranglerX]

Camper = RV, etc. I have seen some smaller knock off generators that have a L14-30 plug but the generator only produces 115VAC not 220/240. In the camper world, smaller units use a 115/30 and larger ones use 220/50 service. I guess some of the import places only wanted to stock one outlet or never bothered to check the requirement? Hence the question of what generator do you have?

Exactly its all about the generator and designation on generator... The L14-30 on my generator is designates as 120/240 -30A... I would bet if "camper" generator it would be 120/120 ... But then again with each leg of L14 -30 plug should have 120 volts on it and if you read across them with a meter you still get 240... Other wise the is no reason to have the L14 style plug on generator.. Oh by the way my generator also has 3 prong twist lock (L5 or something) for 120 V applications along with standard "wall style" receptacles ..

Bottom line is probably understanding proper NEMA codes for plug designation and applications and IF manufacturer follows them... Even the Chinese cheap junk generator manufacturers subscribe to NEMA codes... Bet if you look real close generator advertised for "camper" plugs are still designated as NEMA codes....

Dale

 

[ddbackhoe]

Exactly its all about the generator and designation on generator... The L14-30 on my generator is designates as 120/240 -30A... I would bet if "camper" generator it would be 120/120 ... But then again with each leg of L14 -30 plug should have 120 volts on it and if you read across them with a meter you still get 240... Other wise the is no reason to have the L14 style plug on generator.. Oh by the way my generator also has 3 prong twist lock (L5 or something) for 120 V applications along with standard "wall style" receptacles ..

Bottom line is probably understanding proper NEMA codes for plug designation and applications and IF manufacturer follows them... Even the Chinese cheap junk generator manufacturers subscribe to NEMA codes... Bet if you look real close generator advertised for "camper" plugs are still designated as NEMA codes....

Dale

Okay, let me try a different tack. No one has recommended he check the generator to see how it is wired. I dont give two hoots about what is marked on the receptacle, that doesnt give a indication of how the receptacle is wired. Lots of people install receptacles commonly referred to as dryer plugs, to back feed their houses with a generator, not all of them install a disconnect for the main. Safe should always be the first thing on the job, never assume it came along for the ride.