220 wiring question

[Mohillbilly]

I have a chance at 80 feet of 6 gauge three-wire underground for $1/ft. Rated at 80 amp. Would that be sufficient to run 220 to my garage and handle an OLD 220 welder?

[bluef250]

Need more information on the welder.

[basshound71]

Only if the welder is rated a less than 80 amps

[Mohillbilly]

Only if the welder is rated a less than 80 amps

That's what I suspected. I have to dig the welder out of a big pile, but will get all the info on it sometime within the next few days if possible. Thanks for the response.
Steve

[dantheman71]

You will more than likely be fine. Most welders need 50A input maximum, I would be very surprised if it is any bigger but check the nameplate. I run my 32 X 40 shop on a 60A breaker with no issues, but my welder is just a MIG with a 30A input.

[Art]

I have a chance at 80 feet of 6 gauge three-wire underground for $1/ft. Rated at 80 amp. Would that be sufficient to run 220 to my garage and handle an OLD 220 welder?

Ran a Lincoln 250 amp welder off a 60A breaker for decades without any trouble. Outlet is fed with #6 wire, but its only about 2' from breaker. Later switched to a 300A Lincoln (with TIG) and that will pop the breaker if maxed.

Your longer run may be an issue though, as longer runs need larger size wire for the same amperage.

[averagef250]

My 240 welders run on 60 amp breakers. I pop the breaker every now and then, but don't do enough welding anymore to bother running heavier wire.

Nice thing about welder is you can control how much juice you pull.

[dantheman71]

I have a chance at 80 feet of 6 gauge three-wire underground for $1/ft. Rated at 80 amp. Would that be sufficient to run 220 to my garage and handle an OLD 220 welder?

Oops, I should have read that a little closer!!!

You must have different rules in the US because here in Canada #6 AWG copper is only rated to 65 Amps, not 80 Amps. Between that and the longer distance as Art mentioned I would say go bigger.

[Art]

You must have different rules in the US because here in Canada ...

Maybe Canadian amps are different?

[dantheman71]

You must have different rules in the US because here in Canada ...

Maybe Canadian amps are different?

Haha, could be. They move slower because it is colder.

[Mohillbilly]

I had better clarify things. The actual run I'd be making would be between 30 and 40 ft. The piece I have a chance to buy is 80 ft. long.

[Mohillbilly]

This is a picture of what my welder looks like. It is a Twentieth Century Model T18. I believe it was made around 1937. It was being used by the old man who owned it about 10 years ago when he died. It hasn't been used since then. The garage is at most 40 to 50 feet from the junction box on my back porch. I hope this helps.

[dantheman71]

Looks to me like the primary amps are only 34 so you should be good to go!! 50 feet isn't enough distance to worry, you are already well oversized.

Confirm the number for me please, it is the one in the top right square inside the circle.....if that makes sense.

[bluef250]

The total load on the circuit is reflects all uses. I agree that the welder probably would not overload the wire but limit other uses when welding.

[Mohillbilly]

dantheman71- yes the number is 34.