putting in plug for welder

[MESSMAKER]

I need a plug in the garage for my 220 welder. I was hoping to share the 220 coming in for the water heater. The first problem is, how to get around the WH coming on while I am welding and overloading the circuit.I am thinking that I run hot to the welding plug then branch off with a switch on the line to the water heater, so i can just turn it off when I am welding. I just have to remember to turn the power back on.
The second problem is that I have a nice HD extension cord that I use with my generator. It has both 110 and a 220 welding plug on one end. It has a four prong twist lock on the male end. Can I wire up a box that will fit with the 220 wire that I have which just has a red, black and a ground( WH wire). I am a little fuzzy on the neutral on the 4 way. I think I just cap off the neutral and go from there. I would have a working 220 plug, but my 110 plugs will not work, which I am OK with.

 

[mjncad]

Please run a new circuit for your welder.

 

[schmism]

If i remember my NEC section on 220 wireing....

there is only one exception for mulitpul devices (outlets) on the same circuit and its for a garage welder or other tool. were the shop only has one and you never expect both outlets to have a tool in them at the same time (ie the welder is either at A or B but never at both)

for all other 220v circuits im fairly shure your not allowed more than one device on it. ie you need a dedicated run to the welder or other 220v device.

 

[Monster5601]

I chose to have a sub-panel installed in the garage. It cost me $400 to have an electrician install it but it is well worth the cost.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I do woodworking and already have a sub-panel, but it is full of 110 circuits. The only way I can use it is to replace the reg. breakers with the skinny type so I could free up some space. I was also told that I could mount a receptacle on the 220 and a welding plug on the wire running to the water heater. That way I could just unplug the waterheater, leaving a free receptacle. I have seen several people do this with a clothes dryer that was located in the garage. This would force me to make a dedicated extension cord, I think.

 

[ducks13]

You have a plug or switch on your water heater? That would be unusual. You will meet code if you always turn off the water heater before using the welder. Tuning the thermostat down low when you start welding would work but you shouldn't be welding if the water temperature is low enough for it to come on.

 

[oldnslo]

Messmaker,
what size breaker feeds your water heater today? Is it large enough to run your welder. Just curious because my water heater is 30 amp and welder is 50 amp.

 

[yomax4]

I'm not sure what size welder you want to run but I doubt that the water heater line is more than 10 ga. You will probably need 8 or 6 ga. Also I am unsure what happens when you put a 20-30 amp water heater on a 40-50 amp breaker.

 

[deereman75]

I have a 30 amp power in the laundry room, and when I need to weld, I un plug the dryer, and hook up the 25 foot, 4 gauge cord. My welder is a lincoln ac 225, and draws 50 amps at max power, but since I only have 30 amp power, I just dont turn it up beyond 160 amps or so, so it only draws up to 30 amps.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have a 30 amp power in the laundry room, and when I need to weld, I un plug the dryer, and hook up the 25 foot, 4 gauge cord. My welder is a lincoln ac 225, and draws 50 amps at max power, but since I only have 30 amp power, I just dont turn it up beyond 160 amps or so, so it only draws up to 30 amps.

I am in the same boat. I could run a wire to the dryer plug, but that would be a PITA. The wire for the water heater comes from the main box and hooks into the heater about 24" from my sub panel. Is there a difference between an unplugged or switched off dryer and a water heater. The fact that the dryer usually has a plug and the water heater does not is all I see. I have seen several dryers hard wired for that matter. The welder I have is a med. sized mig and pulls less than 25 amps.