Electricians, how hard would it be...

Gibson486

Lifer
Aug 9, 2000
18,378
2
0
kind of tough considering that it 120V by the time it gets to your house. You will have to get the electrical company involved so they can get you a metered 3 phase feed to your home.
 

FoBoT

No Lifer
Apr 30, 2001
63,084
15
81
fobot.com
yeah, you gotta get that special from the electric company
you can only do 220/240 from a standard residential feed
 

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
13,897
1
0
If I'm reading that spec sheet right it sounds like you need 3 phase power also. I don't think that's typically available in residential areas.
 

Ronstang

Lifer
Jul 8, 2000
12,493
18
81
You may not be able to get 3 phase power to your house. It is really going to depend upon the type of neighborhood.
 

waffleironhead

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2005
7,051
559
136
600 amps? Call the power company first and see if they will send that much juice into your home first.
 

Soccerman06

Diamond Member
Jul 29, 2004
5,830
5
81
That's what I've read, but he's not returning here till next month. I know 240 is pretty simple and he can do that in an evening, maybe ill have to make a call to the electric company tomorrow.
 

Rifter

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,522
751
126
My girlfriends dad did this in his garage(he is a professional welder) hooking up the socket itself was not the problem it was getting the power into the house, cost him almost $20,000 to get the power company to run the lines. He is in a small town though if you are really close to a industrial park it might be cheaper.
 

FoBoT

No Lifer
Apr 30, 2001
63,084
15
81
fobot.com
no man, the max 500 Amps DC output is at only 38 volts DC
the input is 480VAC AND 3 phase, so the current on the input side is much lower, only max 37 Amps
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,039
14,446
146
After doing a bit of reading, I think it's going to be cheaper to just buy a quality diesel welder than to have 3-phase power delivered to your house unless it's already available. I've seen stories about people having to pay $20,000 to $50,000 to the power company to have the lines installed. It's not as simple as just running a couple of 120/240 lines to the house...
 

FoBoT

No Lifer
Apr 30, 2001
63,084
15
81
fobot.com
After doing a bit of reading, I think it's going to be cheaper to just buy a quality diesel welder than to have 3-phase power delivered to your house unless it's already available. I've seen stories about people having to pay $20,000 to $50,000 to the power company to have the lines installed. It's not as simple as just running a couple of 120/240 lines to the house...

dude, you aren't going to believe this
walmart sells that
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lincoln-El...ngine/13079177
the only downside, you have to do a group buy, minimum order is 30
Lincoln Electric SAE-400 Welder/Generator with 68.4 hp Perkins Diesel Engine
 

Soccerman06

Diamond Member
Jul 29, 2004
5,830
5
81
no man, the max 500 Amps DC output is at only 38 volts DC
the input is 480VAC AND 3 phase, so the current on the input side is much lower, only max 37 Amps

Yeah ok you got me, I'm clueless on that crap. Thanks... now I only new a few 80a for everything plus a master assuming I can get 480. Always figured it was whatever amp plus inefficiencies from converter.

I know there's a 480 line about a mile away from me, but running that would cost a buttload. Don't know if it came my way or not.
 

grohl

Platinum Member
Jun 27, 2004
2,849
0
76
there is a way to simulate 3 phase power using some kind of workaround. Looked into it briefly and decided it wasn't worth it.

Also, having done some welding myself, what in the hell do you need to weld at your HOUSE that needs 3 phase power that you can't do with a 220v model?
 

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
22,090
6,345
136
The simple answer to you're question is that it can't be done, as there is no 3 phase power at your house.
 

FoBoT

No Lifer
Apr 30, 2001
63,084
15
81
fobot.com
The simple answer to you're question is that it can't be done, as there is no 3 phase power at your house.

he could move his house, next to an industrial zone
http://www.wolfehousebuildingmovers.com/
DSC06141.jpg
 

DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
Mar 5, 2001
49,601
167
111
www.slatebrookfarm.com
If you're in a residential neighborhood, you don't have 3-phase available to you, and you can't afford to have it installed.

I'm thinking that maybe before you purchase a welder, you start doing a little reading. As others have mentioned, the output is 500A, not the input. A 240V welder works just fine for the majority of people.
 

Soccerman06

Diamond Member
Jul 29, 2004
5,830
5
81
there is a way to simulate 3 phase power using some kind of workaround. Looked into it briefly and decided it wasn't worth it.

Also, having done some welding myself, what in the hell do you need to weld at your HOUSE that needs 3 phase power that you can't do with a 220v model?

Wouldn't say I need it so much as I want it. Certain processes I do require perfection, in which a voltage spike or drop can ruin the product. For example the power usage here can vary up to 15% based on what goes on. If there is a sudden increase in power however unlikely it is, can ruin a new 2" thick mild steel frame bracket. I may set amperage at 52v with an .045 wire which runs perfect and I complete the work. I come back a few hours later after dinner and all of a sudden its too hot and I burnthrough. It happens with 480 as well but much less notable. Shit happens :)