Welder plug elec question

[Kingcreek]

Not really directly Kubota related but this bunch of folks here are so darn intelligent I thought I would ask.
I just picked up a nice used Miller Thunderbolt 230v ac/dc arc welder and it has a 3 prong plug (maybe 50 amp?) and I want to power it from my 5k Honda generator that has a twist lock 230 recepticle. Is this possible? I can't find anything as simple as an adapter.
The welder plug is sorta like this:
i I

O
The 2 blades are parallel but I can't get my feeble attempt above to look right.


Thanks for letting me tap into the wellspring of knowledge here.
Muchos gracias amigos!

 

[OkieDavid]

The "short version" is yes, you can do that. My suspicion is that the 30amp plug from your generator isn't going to carry the load but hey...nothing ventured, nothing gained.

The two II terminals are your hot legs and the 0 is your neutral leg. You will need both a male (that matches your twist lock generator) and female (that matches your welder male plug) connector connected with a short piece of cable (I suggest #2 or #4 wire). To locate "which" terminals on your twist lock are hot legs you can either use a voltage meter. Should be around 120 from leg to ground and 240 from leg to leg. Seems like I recall those twist locks have four terminals- two hots, a neutral and a ground.

What you are basically doing is making an extension cord. The male side (twist lock) will plug into your generator and the female side will plug into the power cord on your welder (unless you want to mount them side by side and the power cord will already reach). In that case, simply buy a twist lock male and replace the power supply end from your generator. Quite possibly (and recommended) is that there should also be a green wire which will be a ground. Green will go to green everywhere they are found.

 

[Kingcreek]

Thanks. Yeah, I was thinking about a short extension cord adapter but was hoping for something easy like an adapter plug. Maybe nobody makes one because it is 30-50amp difference. I think the twist lock is 4 prong but I don't have it here with me.

 

[chim]

The output of your generator is less than half the rated input of your welder.

 

[Kingcreek]

So cheap and easy aren't always cheap... or easy.
I need a bucket truck to repair a yard light on the barn so I'm going to call the professional licensed electrician and let him hardwire in a power supply while he's here and he'll probably tell me no can do generator.
I ain't smart but I'm smart enough to know when I'm in over my head.
Thanks.

 

[motorhead]

Here is the spec sheet:
http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/spec_sheets/AD8-0.pdf

I tried using my 8KW diesel to run my Miller MIG welder and it didn't cut it under a heavy welding load. I'd say that your Honda is going to be too small to really run your welder. You might smoke the Honda generator trying it.
Shows the welder needing up to 47 amps!

 

[jb62901]

I am looking to get rid of a Miller Roughneck 2E Welder/Generator. Has 4 120v-30amp AC and 1 240v-30 AC. Looks rough but runs good.

 

[Fastest1]

The terminal marked "W" is not used in a 3 wire system. X, Y & G are the only terminals used.

 

[gpreuss]

The 30A generator output should allow 135A AC or 90A DC welding load. If you are doing light work, you should be OK. You will most likely trip the breaker on the generator before you hurt anything.
I did a fair amount (for a jack welder) of welding with a Lincoln buzz box, and don't recall using more than your 135A AC rating. Of course, it was 30+ years ago.