Power Arc 140ST

[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 .

[undercut]

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

[undercut]

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?

[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?

You can't install the thin double breaker along side the existing one. That would give you zero volts at the outlet.
You need to straddle the two panel legs with the thin double breaker for 220 volts.

Then two single breakers, one on either side of the double, for two 110 volt outlets.

12 gauge wire would be nice. It would allow you to install 20 amp breakers all around.

My guess is that it's 14 gauge; if so you're limited to 15 amps all around. You can find out from the main panel if it's more convenient.

For your welder, 15 amps at 220 volts is definitely better than 15 amps at 110 volts, although you still won't be able to get the max rated output.

HTH,
rivets

[Rodsmachineshop]

no it has to be center and the breaker in it removed and 1 thin on each side of the new thin 220 center , what get my brother that a electrical contractor is why the install these boxes since a 8 box is like only 20 bucks more . also when he installs wire in new homes he will only install the main box in the garage if they have a garage or out side if the house has no garage , box is better out side so firemen have access to shut power off if a house is on fire . and by code in California 10 is the smallest you can use for a 30 amp dryer outlet house wiring

[Brian Ski]

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?

14 ga is for 15 amp
12 ga is for 20 amp
10 ga is for 30 amp

The problem you will run into, is if you go by the code book you need 10 gauge 3 wire plus ground. You more than likely do not have the 3 wire let alone the 10 ga wire. So you are back to running a new wire.

At the same time I would upgrade the little box into something nicer... Sounds good but the cost keeps going up.

[undercut]

14 ga is for 15 amp
12 ga is for 20 amp
10 ga is for 30 amp

The problem you will run into, is if you go by the code book you need 10 gauge 3 wire plus ground. You more than likely do not have the 3 wire let alone the 10 ga wire. So you are back to running a new wire.

At the same time I would upgrade the little box into something nicer... Sounds good but the cost keeps going up.

Even if I run new wire into the garage, put in the 220v service and receptacle, I would probably need a 25 - 30 foot extension cable to get it outside where I would want to weld. I'll go 50 foot from the dryer receptacle and call it a day. Learned a lot and that pretty much galvanizes the decision with no second thoughts!