Welding Tips and Tricks

I’m in the middle of installing a long travel kit and it involves welding 3/16” steel plate to the frame in order to build the main engine cage/front shock hoop. What I’m wondering is if it is critical for me to have something other than my standard 110v or so household outlet to get good penetration. I’ve welded a few practice pieces and it seems like it’ll work to me but I’d like more experienced opinions. A picture of a puzzle which I welded on 110 is also attached for reference. Don’t worry I’ll practice more before I do the real thing.


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To get the rated output of 115 amps @20% duty cycle out of that welder on 120V input, requires 24 amps from a 120V outlet (per the owners manual). Standard household 120V outlets are wired for either 15 or 20 amps. First, even though it is rated for 3/16ths on 120V input power, that assumes no limitations on the amount of input current delivered to the welder. Unless you have a 30 amp RV circuit in your home, or run it off of a generator with a 30 amp outlet, 120V power isn't going to cut it. Second, that welder tops out at 130 amps on 120V power. IMHO, 130 amps is probably not enough for 3/16ths material (ignoring the fact that at 130 amps that machine has like a 5% duty cycle on 120V). Long story short, I don't believe the door chart/owners manual when it says it will do 3/16ths on 120V. I really think for something structural like you described, you will need to be on 240V input power.

Alright thanks a lot!


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I had the 211 Inverter. Great arc, but 100% agree. Put it on 240V input power for 3/16" material.