Wiring 220v into garage?

[Greg]

I need 220v to run my welder, which I really need so I can make the 4Runner driveable before we move.

The breaker box is on the otherside of the wall of the garage so it's very convient, access wise. The inside of the garage is partially finished, so running wire inside will be easy. I have some very limited electrical experience, but I've never ran something this big before.

How hard would this be? What do I need to do?

I have some HUGE 220 wire, so that part is covered. Now what about tapping into the box, the needed breaker size, etc? Anyone done this before?

 

[Caleb]

I did this in my house. It was extremely easy. My box was jsut liek yours, right on the other side of the wall. My wire that goes from box to outlet is about 8" long. You will need to see if you have an open spot in your box, if so just choose the breaker size you need, I used a 50A breaker cause I planned to run a compressor off it too (never happened though )...I think most welders your size (175 correct) require a 20-30A breaker. Its pretty straight forward. Once you get into your box you will see where to hook the wire up, then you run it to the plug and hook it up...then turn power back on and you should be good to go.

 

[BCGPER]

Peice o cake from what you've described. How big is the main breaker, and how many spare slots are left in your box (you'll need two)?

I need 220v to run my welder, which I really need so I can make the 4Runner driveable before we move.

The breaker box is on the otherside of the wall of the garage so it's very convient, access wise. The inside of the garage is partially finished, so running wire inside will be easy. I have some very limited electrical experience, but I've never ran something this big before.

How hard would this be? What do I need to do?

I have some HUGE 220 wire, so that part is covered. Now what about tapping into the box, the needed breaker size, etc? Anyone done this before?

 

[Hickey]

You can also open up your box and study how your stove is hooked up to give you an idea.

 

[phillippi]

You can also open up your box and study how your stove is hooked up to give you an idea.

Exactly what I did. I had to run mine in my crawl space to the garage (30' way). Its been great for a couple years now!

 

[JIM]

Be sure and use a 50 amp breacker. I had to run mine 90 ft but it workrd great.

 

[Caleb]

Be sure and use a 50 amp breacker. I had to run mine 90 ft but it workrd great.

as I posted above, use what your welder requires. Most are 20-30A...if you plan to have other things off the line (I doubt you do since you are moving) then consider a larger breaker. (if you still have the Lincoln 175 then your requires 23A input so I would go with a 30A breaker)

 

[phillippi]

My 220 buzzbox says it needs a 50. I havent ever tripped it, even with all the way cranked up messing around. I doubt I ever will.

 

[Caleb]

My 220 buzzbox says it needs a 50. I havent ever tripped it, even with all the way cranked up messing around. I doubt I ever will.

what box do you have?

 

[phillippi]

Lincoln 220 stick. Its like 20 yrs old when I bought it from a friends dad who hardly ever used it. It even had the small book with it.

 

[bobdog]

Run as big a breaker as your box and wire can handle, but what ever you do don't run a bigger breaker than the wire you have can handle (look up the code!!!) Don't think that just because you have a 175 class welder that you wont ever get a bigger one. My welder calls for a 75 amp service, and it is frustrating knowing that I only have a 30 amp circut to run it off of. It does sound like pulling wire will be easy for you though. It is almost imposibile for me to pull a new wire because my whole house including the basement and garage are finished.

 

[harkinoff]

as I posted above, use what your welder requires. Most are 20-30A...if you plan to have other things off the line (I doubt you do since you are moving) then consider a larger breaker. (if you still have the Lincoln 175 then your requires 23A input so I would go with a 30A breaker)

your wire needs to be sized with the breaker being used!!! if you are running a large breaker to run stuff, use a sub panel then distribute power to needed sources.. Its ok do the opposite though, bigger wire smaller breaker!!! if lugs will accept.

 

[cntryman78]

seeing as how I am an ELECTRICIAN running a breaker that is as big as the wire will handle (which I could tell you the max breaker size if I knew the wire size) is not a code violation, but it does leave your welder unprotected, and it is easy to change out to a larger one in the future as long as the outlet is rated for the higher amperage.. just a couple of the in's and outs of being an electrician.
Casey