Got my Clarke welder today after searching for a bargain for a while paid £125 for it 2nd hand only used a few times im happy,



Question for anyone, these run on 15 amps so can you run on a 13 amp socket as long as you are not running it at full power ie all the time or do i need to rig up a 30amp line to the garage,

Thanks
Sean

got mine in march thi year, i've run it on 13amp plug since, no problems (even on full power) until this week when i blew 2 fuses...

run it on a 13 amp plug, if you need full power an blow a fuse, wire it into the 30amp, but remember there's a reason why you're suppposed to run it on a 16amp supply

it would be relatively simple to remove the 13A fuse from the plug and run it off a 16A supply.

linky

power one of these as a spur off a socket in 2.5t&e, connect a single socket outlet to the 16A breaker, and replace the live pin in the plug with a neutral pin so there is no fuse.

This isnt compliant to the regs and is a bodge basically, but it would work well enough for a diyer.

[Edited on 5/11/07 by JoelP]

Run it on a 13A supply. You'll only ever go above the 13A when you're doing some really heavy duting welding...like 5mm plate...

PS above comment based on real world experience with said welder currently sat on shelf in garage...

quote:

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Originally posted by stevebubs
Run it on a 13A supply. You'll only ever go above the 13A when you're doing some really heavy duting welding...like 5mm plate...

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I was welding 5mm MS plate with mine last weekend on a crapy old 13A supply with no issues...


The earth cable got a bit hot though

Thanks for your replies think ill chance it not many times ill be welding 5mm thick anyway,

This seems to be a good welder no experience of welding but hte write ups are good.

If your guys have one can i have your comments,

Is it ok for stainless or ali ????

Thanks again

Sean

MInes always run on a 13a plug. never had any trouble just make sure you use a nice thick extension lead if your using one.

quote:

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Originally posted by INDY BIRD
Thanks for your replies think ill chance it not many times ill be welding 5mm thick anyway,

This seems to be a good welder no experience of welding but hte write ups are good.

If your guys have one can i have your comments,

Is it ok for stainless or ali ????

Thanks again

Sean

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This may help if you didn't get a manual with it....

if you want to try ali, you'll need a new torch liner. I tried without a new liner, and it kept mashing up the wire inside the machine.