What seasoning makes Crow taste good?

[hankj]

If I'm gonna hafta eat it, I want it to at least taste decent!

Every time someone has asked an extension cord question, the answers have always leaned toward "keep it short". I especially recall several answers to that question relative to 110V MIG units where the advice was "plug it into the wall..". Since I acquired my MM135 last August, I've pretty much run it on a 12/3 x 100' cord that is always plugged in. It's been my "convenience cord" forever in the Gadget Garage. Seemed to work OK, too. I've said that in a lot of posts about cords.

Yesterday, I wanted to weld the 1.5" x .125" legs onto my 2" x .250" frame for the chop saw table. The 100 footer was pulled outside for some lamps I was using to dry paint, so I grabbed a 25' 12/3 off the wall and plugged the 135 into it. When I struck the arc for the first time, I heard something different. Sounded like a LOT of bacon frying on high heat. Looked at the welder - same settings I usually use. So, I tacked up a leg and welded it in place. Larger HAZ than usual, and it looked like a better weld.

You know what's next - got the 100' cord and plugged into it; went for the second leg. Amazing!!! The welder performs SIGNIGICANTLY better on the short cord.

Can I have an ear of corn with this bird??

Be well.

hankj

[klsm54]

Okay hankj, never being one to pass on an opportunity for a little dig, here is a link to some yummy Crow recipes....Crow Recipes

Now on a more serious side. Sometimes experience is the best teacher. Consider yourself fortunate that you did not destroy a piece of equipment to learn your lesson. Some electric equipment is more susceptable to the voltage drop that occurs when to light of extension cord is used and can sustain some serious damge from it. Iguess this just proves that just because something "works", it doesn't always mean that it is correct... Glad your lesson was simple and not costly.

[MAC702]

Grinders and other power tools with motors like drills and saws are especially prone to damage from too high of a voltage drop, something to watch for. With a welder, there shouldn't be any damage, unless the electronics care, just lower performance.

On a jobsite, be careful when plugging YOUR tools into "provided" temporary power. I always check that it's sufficient or I provide my own.

[HAWK]

hankj,

I have a 120VAC 5HP motor on my air compressor. It runs great plugged directly into a 20 or 30 amp circuit. However, a 12/3 25' extension will start the motor, but it is a strain. A 50' 10/3 cord is just like have no extension cord at all. It cranks up and cycles on/off all day long.

[hankj]

Yeah, went over to Oroville today and picked up 100' of 8/3. All the years I've spent in the electrical trade didn't teach me a **** thing about a welder! On the other hand, you guys have filled the gaps wonderfully.

Be well, guys.

hankj

[ASKANDY]

Crow seems to be in season....

Had to eat some from the wife the other day

That happens.

A-

[HAWK]

hankj,

Andy is right. Crow is most always in season. I run 4/4 SO cord for all my 240 extensions except for the Dynasty 200 which I drop down to a 10 guage. I use the 4 conductor for either 3 phase wiring or grabbing a 120 and 240 from the same cord.

[hankj]

Truth be told, I've had to eat my share over the years. I still can't make it taste good, but if the cook is lcaed with copius amounts of 94 proof gin from the Green bottle, it ain't so bad!!

Now I understand why all the shops I've visited in my quest for exposure to this craft have had mega-large cords on everyting I've seen. Lots of 6's and, Hawk, 4's out there.

Be well guys,

hankj

[HAWK]

hankj,

4 conductor 4 gauge ought to be in a weight lifting shop. I pulled 40' of 4/4 SOOW from a 208 3 phase box to a loading ramp where I had my ALT set up. That was quite a work out coiling/uncoiling and loading/unloading. I have another 65' at the shop, but it does not seem quite as heavy just laying in the floor.

I think 6/4 is probably plenty of cord for most applications, but I have a tendency to over do it at times. If I run more than 25' from the powersource to my input power, I go up 2 wire sizes just to be on the safe side. You know E=IR.