Power Arc 140ST

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I had a really quick look at the breaker box in my garage as I was heading out. It is really, really small with what looked like a single cutout for a single 110v breaker. I'll need to look around and see if anyone I know has an electrician friend. Wiring something in there would require opening up a section of wall to put a receptacle in and see what can be done with that small breaker box. Given how much I will be welding in the short term, maybe rigging up a extension would be the best road to take as it will allow me to be somewhat 220v portable. I can't weld in the garage anyway. Sorry, catching myself thinking out loud ....

[Rodsmachineshop]

thing to do just take a pic and i can tell you if you can do a 220 breaker

[Brian Ski]

thing to do just take a pic and i can tell you if you can do a 220 breaker

Was thinking the same thing... Just take the cover off and take a pic... Hard to say if he has 220 even coming into the box. Or what size wires going to it. Or what is powering the box from the house. (one 20 amp breaker)

The best if he can fight the wife over the dryer outlet is an extension cord... you can always use it in the garage if you get that wired right later.

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Was thinking the same thing... Just take the cover off and take a pic... Hard to say if he has 220 even coming into the box. Or what size wires going to it. Or what is powering the box from the house. (one 20 amp breaker)

The best if he can fight the wife over the dryer outlet is an extension cord... you can always use it in the garage if you get that wired right later.

Sorry, only had time to take an external shot but it shows the existing 110v breaker. I didn't notice the cutout on the left that isn't occupied. I guess to really tell if there is 220v service in the garage is to take the cover off as Brian and Rod suggested. That will need to be another day though as (I embarrassed to say) there is too much "stuff" in front of it for me to access it. Brian is right though, even with 220v in the garage, I'll still need an extension cord as I can't weld in there. Geez guys, thanks for all of the help. It's really helping me get my head straight and my thoughts aligned with a few people pointing me in the right direction. Thanks!

[Brian Ski]

Sorry, only had time to take an external shot but it shows the existing 110v breaker. I didn't notice the cutout on the left that isn't occupied. I guess to really tell if there is 220v service in the garage is to take the cover off as Brian and Rod suggested. That will need to be another day though as (I embarrassed to say) there is too much "stuff" in front of it for me to access it. Brian is right though, even with 220v in the garage, I'll still need an extension cord as I can't weld in there. Geez guys, thanks for all of the help. It's really helping me get my head straight and my thoughts aligned with a few people pointing me in the right direction. Thanks!

I would probably pass on taking the cover off. That is a 110 volt breaker even if you could take it out and get a double pole using both spots... you would still be short a breaker for the garage.

The extension cord from the dryer outlet or a new outlet near the house breaker box (if there is room) sounds like the best choice... I can hear it now... Sorry honey no drying clothes I need to get this welded....

[Rodsmachineshop]

looking at picture also it amazes me how lazy dry wall guys are when doing a clean job would of only took him a couple of extra minutes to clean around box cover when doing around the box

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looking at picture also it amazes me how lazy dry wall guys are when doing a clean job would of only took him a couple of extra minutes to clean around box cover when doing around the box

Yeah. A lot of things in this house they could have done better with very little effort or expense .... *sigh* didn't have a lot options.

[Rodsmachineshop]

my brother said if that box is wired rite it will be a 35 to 70 amp box depends on what size wire the laded when installing sub d box . it should say on out side or inside cover what rated box it is . when he dose a sub box he always run 6 gauge so if they have a large 220 water heater the wiring will handle it

[Rodsmachineshop]

that a 4 box .. looks like only space for 2 breakers but this will do 1 double thin 220v breaker center and 1 thin 110v on each end or if not using 220v will do 4 separate 110v breakers . http://www.azpartsmaster.com/Product...KRTHQP250.aspx here is the breaker i am talking about , they put those in garages for 220 water heaters and dryers . Also that box if done rite should have a 30 amp or higher 220v breaker in main breaker box that powers that box . mite even be gfi breaker on the main box.. I lucked out since have family that are electrical contractors and always get free stuff when wiring my shop .

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that a 4 box .. looks like only space for 2 breakers but this will do 1 double thin 220v breaker center and 1 thin 110v on each end or if not using 220v will do 4 separate 110v breakers . http://www.azpartsmaster.com/Product...KRTHQP250.aspx here is the breaker i am talking about , they put those in garages for 220 water heaters and dryers . Also that box if done rite should have a 30 amp or higher 220v breaker in main breaker box that powers that box . mite even be gfi breaker on the main box.. I lucked out since have family that are electrical contractors and always get free stuff when wiring my shop .

OK, I get it now. Breaker in the main box wired to the breaker box in the garage. Sooooo, I took a look at my main breaker box and there is only a 110v breaker for the garage ..... I suspect that has determined my options for me.

You definitely lucked out on your relatives! Thanks for all of your help.

[Rivets]

OK, I get it now. Breaker in the main box wired to the breaker box in the garage. Sooooo, I took a look at my main breaker box and there is only a 110v breaker for the garage ..... I suspect that has determined my options for me.

You definitely lucked out on your relatives! Thanks for all of your help.

You may/should be able to replace the single breaker in your main panel with a double/double thin breaker.
That will give you 220 volts in your garage.

Also, depending on code in your area, you may be able to run conduit on the wall surface to your outlet, so no need to tear down drywall.

What's the wire size to your garage panel?

rivets

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You may/should be able to replace the single breaker in your main panel with a double/double thin breaker.
That will give you 220 volts in your garage.

Also, depending on code in your area, you may be able to run conduit on the wall surface to your outlet, so no need to tear down drywall.

What's the wire size to your garage panel?

rivets

Ah, and then install a thin 220v breaker along side the existing 120v breaker in the garage. I don't know the gauge of the wire as I'd have to pull the cover off to take a look but unfortunately, the garage breaker at the main box says 15A so that doesn't look promising. It may take me a bit to move everything away from the front of the garage breaker box so that I can get at it. What gauge am I looking for?