Thanks for the quick response. I am pretty familiar with electrical
wiring, but this generator is a loaner and I have never used this type
of receptacle before. And yes, I believe it was purchased from Home
Depot!

The 4 prong plug is labeled X, Y, W, and G. So using my volt meter, I
expect to measure 220V between the X and Y, and 110V between X and G or
Y and G. (I'll do this in the morning)

My 3 prong receptacle is labeled X, Y, and G. So If everything
measured properly, I should be able to just hook up my power wire to X,
Y, and G on both sides. Then plug one end into the generator, the
other into my welder and make sure I keep the current low. Though
using the published numbers, my welder takes 230V @ 20A which equals
4600W. The generator says it is capable of 5000W continuous and 6250W
peak. But I won't be pushing the welder at full power, maybe half
power.


Ignoramus19023 wrote:
On 5 Aug 2005 21:58:31 -0700, Terry wrote:
I have a lincoln Mig welder requiring 230V 20A single phase power. I
have a welding job to do where there is no power available. It has the
Nema 6-50P 3 prong style plug.

I have a coleman 5000W run / 6250W max generator that has a 120/240 20A
4 prong twist lock style receptacle Nema style L14-20R.

Is this 4 prong receptacle 3 phase power?

Not likely. It is probably two hots, neutral and ground. 14-20R is for
single phase. If this is the kind of coleman that's sold at home
depot, it is very unlikely to provide 3 phase.

I purchased a 6-50 3 prong receptacle, and L14-20 plug hoping to
make some sort of adapter cable so I could use my welder with the
generator.

Is this possible with what I have? Can I just pull single phase 220
power from the X and Y out of the 4 prong plug (leaving the W
disconnected)? If not, is there a generator that has a 220V single
phase receptacle on it?

What I would do in your situation is I would buy 12 gauge power cable,
a 14-20 plug (which you seem to have already), properly connect the
wire to the plug and then directly to your welder.

Be careful, as you apparently do not quite see all issues involved. A
mistake can get you killed very easily. For example, if you are
welding an object that has contact with ground, contact one hot leg to
the object by mistake, and another hot leg to the frame of the
generator,

Not quite sure how I would connect one hot leg to the object I am
welding and another hot leg to the frame of the generator by mistake.
Do you mean if I wire the adapter cable incorrectly so for example a
hot wire is going to the ground of the welder, and then I clamp my
ground cable (which could potentially be hot) to the object I am
welding?

I'm hoping that if I just wire the cable correctly as mentioned above,
then I should be able to use the welder as I normally do. Though if I
am overlooking something I need to be careful about, please explain
again.


you will get killed if you touch both objects or anything
directly connected to it (for example if you directly connect your
welder to the object). Make sure that the voltage is 220V where it
should be and 0 where it should not. If you have any doubts or do not
have a voltmeter, do not undertake this project or ask someone's
assistance.

Your welder seems to need max power somewhat beyond the power range of
these crap generators, which are overrated to begin with. So, operate
well within power limits allowed by your genset.

i

Thanks.