Question for 180SD owners

[deepcj7]

I'm a new owner of the 180SD and have a installation question. Is this machine capable of a plug connection for input power, I don't know if a plug is capable of 80 amps? How about extension cords so I can move it around the shop, I don't like the idea of hard wiring it. Where can I get these parts? Please include all the details I might need to know. Thanks, help is greatly appreciated. Bill

[Chevrolet_572]

The 180 draws 64 amps not 80.. Just go to an electrical supply house and buy a 65 amp receptical and a 65 amp male cord cap. That will work just fine. I dont have an ext. cord on mine, but all you need to do is buy some 6/3 SO cord, and another 65 amp male cord cap, and a female cord body. that shoud get you going- you may need to up the wire size on the cord if you are going a good distance, try to keep it as short as possiable.

[Chevrolet_572]

my bad

I dont know what I was thinking. the 180 draws 54 amps not 64. So you would only need 60 A. cord caps

[deepcj7]

Hey Chevy,
I see what your saying, my owners man. says "input power at rated output" is 54 amps. But, 3 lines below that there is a blurb "Max recommended standard fuse or circuit breaker rating in amps" for normal operation it's 80 amps. I didn't quite understand this and called Miller. They said I have to install 80 amp breaker to use machine to full capabilities. Thanks for the reply.

[dyn88]

circut breakers trip when they get hot, their rating is a relation to the amount of heat and the time it can withstand such heat. Any breaker installation on a high draw machine like that should always be the rated load plus 20%, since they dont make 63 amp breakers an 80 is the next up. The machine will draw more than the rated 54 amps if maxed out. Also that rating is probably at 223 volts standard household is 117. This may seem inconsequential but it does make a difference. My 220 around hear seems to be actually 206 and you would be surprised at the difference that makes.

[INTP]

I think I'm lucky in that my line voltage is consistently 240-242V (120-121V per pole). I ran 6/3 wire and put in a NEMA 6-50 plug/receptacle. I had a 50A breaker available so I used that but figured I could replace it with a larger one if I started tripping it. I've never tripped it yet. YMMV.