Single to 3 phase converter

[arther dailey]

be interesting to see what you settle on thats for sure. Also depends wether you prefer transformer based or inverter type machines(plant),both have there advantages .

 

[God mode restorations]

these are some serious welders for a shed? for the thickness you described I'd be more inclined to get a 32a supply, a 250a multi purpose machine, then you have mig and mma for thicker stuff

Yes it's another option...my current mp machine is brand new. But I have had issues with both machines..and I no longer have any trust in them... I now was looking at separate machines.so if I have a failure I still have another to use

 

[arther dailey]

I am inclined to think a dedicated single function machine should be better, as multi purpose will have some compromise, but the newer multi s that run of 13amp are darn good . not what you are looking for though!if you getting new you do have all the warranty cover etc.
this is where a hands on test of several differant breeds would be so usefull wouldnt it.

 

[God mode restorations]

I am inclined to think a dedicated single function machine should be better, as multi purpose will have some compromise, but the newer multi s that run of 13amp are darn good . not what you are looking for though!if you getting new you do have all the warranty cover etc.
this is where a hands on test of several differant breeds would be so usefull wouldnt it.

Yes I will buy new...all I can do is find out what the biggest supply I can get to my work shed and go from there....this electric stuff does my brain in .

 

[wookie]

If you figure out a way to magic energy out of your **** to feed it let me know

You could get a generator,

Methane powered generator might need to eat a lot of beans...

 

[God mode restorations]

You only have a 60 amp total supply.

Blow that company fuse and it's a chargeable callout and a good bit of explaining to do.

You will never run that 355 anywhere near full whack without upgrading the actual supply to your house, not just to your workshop.

Rotary (or any type) of converter isn't going to do it - you don't have the supply. If you figure out a way to magic energy out of your **** to feed it let me know

You could get a generator, but the sheet for the 355 specify a minimum of a 17 ish kva genny - that's a towable job that is.

In essence, you're limited...

OK...got ya.... thanks for the information needed help thoe...will sit and see what's next alternative.

 

[Burdekin]

MMA looks like the easiest and cheapest route.. How much welding are you doing with the thick plate?

 

[God mode restorations]

MMA looks like the easiest and cheapest route.. How much welding are you doing with the thick plate?

I have a fair bit to do. Big tow bars .cutting the end off large steel tanks for piping.they can be 12mm plus thick. I had other people weld them up. But it's something I can do myself and it's frustrating trying to sus out these machines and what I can and can't use.

 

[God mode restorations]

Problem solved guys lol

 

[God mode restorations]

Problem solved guys lolView attachment 100395

I wish... a price tag of 8 grand

 

[HughF]

Just an FYI for anyone reading this thread... I run a 300a tig off a 12kw rotary phase converter that has a d63 input breaker - so if you have a 100 main fuse then this sort of thing 'could' be doable at home...

One of the key points is having a star-delta starter on the idler motor of the rpc. Boost energy ones don't and require a seriously large amount of start current to get them spun up.

I don't have mains so power my rpc from a single phase generator, but that's really just incidental

 

[Tom Orrow L]

I wish... a price tag of 8 grand

Probably around the same price the EWM 355 would have run you

 

[Hood]

Probably around the same price the EWM 355 would have run you

According to EWM they are only £5150 plus VAT and I am sure that hoodlum at Welding Supplies Direct could do a deal on one.
Having said that I would be looking for a house and a car for that price

 

[HughF]

lincoln ranger + ln25 + outershield 71m = 12mm steel solved without needing to upgrade mains supply...

Probably doable for under 4 grand if you shopped about and found a cheap ranger and ln25... and you can stick the whole lot in the back of a transit and go where the work is.

ps. other brands of dual-shield fluxcore are available P:

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

With all these complications I'd just stick to the stick! I don't find mig that much faster, for 12mm you'd probably get away with a single pass of 4mm electrode. Definitely worth considering before you are 5k+ in! Plus other tooling if you haven't already got it.

 

[wookie]

Is it really worth the trouble to convert 240v to 3 phase just for a welder ?

The reason I ask is you can get single phase Mig welders that go up to 400Amp, granted you might have to buy second hand. I have a 300Amp single phase Mig that welds lovely.

Now I'll admit that 3 phase machines do weld nicer than single phase but if you only have a single phase supply surely sticking to single phase machines makes more sense ?

 

[God mode restorations]

Is it really worth the trouble to convert 240v to 3 phase just for a welder ?

The reason I ask is you can get single phase Mig welders that go up to 400Amp, granted you might have to buy second hand. I have a 300Amp single phase Mig that welds lovely.

Now I'll admit that 3 phase machines do weld nicer than single phase but if you only have a single phase supply surely sticking to single phase machines makes more sense ?

I here what you say...but it's the double pulse that comes with the big machine that I would like...

 

[Hood]

TecArc do a 240v mig that is 400amp and only needs a 45 amp supply, might be worth looking at.

Edit, see you replied as I posted with regards the pulsing so disregard my comment above

 

[God mode restorations]

The Oxford is am looking at is double pulse.

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

Spencer it sounds like you know what you want machine wise then. Not sure why you are so keen on the double pulse function, but if that's a requirement then you need to sort out your electrics, if 3 phase is not an option then you need to work out how to get a higher amp supply to your shed.