Obligatory Intro Post

[Tanh]

Well. My range runs on 240v and it's the right next to where I'm going to weld. I'm just not a big fan of moving it everytime I want to weld but if the general concensus is that I need it rather than 120v then there's no other option. I wired in the 20amp line for a 1 ton AC unit on the otherside of the house and cost me 100 CAD to do it. Problem is I have no more space in the box for another line. So adding another line would mean breaking out to another box and the cost will skyrocket from there.

Getting creative, I wonder if I can just add another outlet to my range circuit and weld off that. I know, 2 appliances on 1 240v line is not recommended. Any electricians here?

[everlastsupport]

Well. My range runs on 240v and it's the right next to where I'm going to weld. I'm just not a big fan of moving it everytime I want to weld but if the general concensus is that I need it rather than 120v then there's no other option. I wired in the 20amp line for a 1 ton AC unit on the otherside of the house and cost me 100 CAD to do it. Problem is I have no more space in the box for another line. So adding another line would mean breaking out to another box and the cost will skyrocket from there.

Getting creative, I wonder if I can just add another outlet to my range circuit and weld off that. I know, 2 appliances on 1 240v line is not recommended. Any electricians here?

If you're sure there will be no cooking while welding that would work fine. 110vac, unless a min of 20 amps, is a pain. And you will get the full power. And the breaker is there if the wife goes to cook while you are working.

[Rambozo]

Well. My range runs on 240v and it's the right next to where I'm going to weld. I'm just not a big fan of moving it everytime I want to weld but if the general concensus is that I need it rather than 120v then there's no other option. I wired in the 20amp line for a 1 ton AC unit on the otherside of the house and cost me 100 CAD to do it. Problem is I have no more space in the box for another line. So adding another line would mean breaking out to another box and the cost will skyrocket from there.

Getting creative, I wonder if I can just add another outlet to my range circuit and weld off that. I know, 2 appliances on 1 240v line is not recommended. Any electricians here?

You would probably bo ok tapping into the range line. That circuit has the capacity to run the oven and all the burners at once, so even if you have a burner or two going, I doubt you will trip the breaker while welding. Unless your house is real old, CA kitchens are on independent leg 20A circuits. So you can also have a 220 outlet installed pretty easy from that circuit. You could even make up a special cable to get 220 from the kitchen, but I can't recommend that for regular use. Having said that, this is the first 120/240V welder that I have ever seen that actually works very well on 120V. As long as you are working with thinner materials it is more than capable. If you want to weld 1/4" thick material you will need 240V. For just starting out you can work with what you have and decide on how you want set things up, if you find that this works for you. You can check with a local electrician to see what your options are. If you weld infrequently, you can handle a different setup, than if it's something you will use all the time. Another option I almost forgot is that if you have a clean power generator, you can run from that. You can check the manual or the Everlast website for the wattage requirements.

[performance]

Rambozo,
Sorry, but I will have to step in here and Contradict you. This is unsafe, and is ILL advised. Also it can open you and us up to a lawsuit. Using a "tapped" into line like this is against almost all wiring codes I know of. Additionally ranges are 4 wire. A guys house burns down or something happens, and his insurance company won't pay because it was a customer boned up issue. Please let us make any wiring recommendations IF we feel we can. Always consult a licensed LOCAL electrician before attempting any electrical alteration to your home or shop wiring.

[Rambozo]

Rambozo,
Sorry, but I will have to step in here and Contradict you. This is unsafe, and is ILL advised. Also it can open you and us up to a lawsuit. Using a "tapped" into line like this is against almost all wiring codes I know of. Additionally ranges are 4 wire. A guys house burns down or something happens, and his insurance company won't pay because it was a customer boned up issue. Please let us make any wiring recommendations IF we feel we can. Always consult a licensed LOCAL electrician before attempting any electrical alteration to your home or shop wiring.

Perhaps I wasn't being clear. What I meant was having another outlet installed into that circuit for the range. A local electrician can check the circuit capacity and advise if that is an option for him.

[Tanh]

Thanks for all the idea's gentlemen. I also more than fully understand the hazards of playing with fire, having done so often in the past. So I fully acknowledge the disclaimer, Performance. Whatever dumb thing I do I'll take full responsibility for it and won't hold anybody else liable.

That being said, the plan is to test it out on 15amp and see how useful it is. If I blow a breaker it's not the end of the world and know I need to step it up to 240 or at least a 20 amp line. Move the range to weld until I can wire in a new line (240v or 120v). All is well with the world.

[everlastsupport]

Mark is just covering Everlast. Also, some people really do not understand volts and amps. Sounds like you have it all figured out. Just be safe.

[Tanh]

Yeah, I know and with all the interchange going on people often forget matters such as safety. Sometimes, like in this case, it needs to be said, people need to be told and lines drawn. I thank Mark for stepping up and being the voice of reason. There have been stories, on ADVrider, of people doing ridiculous / illegal things in the heat of discussion. Then afterward coming back with their tail between their legs. Here, the consequences are dire, more than a few broken bones, making a need to repeat what should be said. No ill taken either way.

Took the box over to one of my neighbours, a former welder, to test out the box and show me how to run it. We replaced the plug because he had a dedicated 240v line just for this sort of stuff. He was amazed at how much power this box can put out. And so was I actually. Seeing it being used by a pro is a humbling experience. lol Wish I had a camera if only just to share the expression on his face when I showed up with a briefcase. He thought it was a toy until he openned the case. As soon as we started on some 1/4" plate with 7018 it was all grins.