220VAC welder to 220VAC generator

Feb 19, 2025 Last reply: 1 year ago 3 Replies
G

I was given a 220VAC 50Amp welder. I have 30Amp 220VAC portable generator.



I want to have the generator run the welder. Yes. I know. 50Amps is more than 30Amps.



But I'm hoping welding can work at lower than max. Can it?



Second question, if the first answer is yes, at lower outputs.



The welder male plug seems to be a NEMA 6-50P. The generator female receptacle is an L14-30R.



My first thought is to find a NEMA 6-50R to L14-30P adapter. But I can't find them (probably due to the amperage mismatch).



OK. What's next best?



I can find a NEMA 6-50R (which the welder can plug into) to NEMA L6-30P, which is a 30 Amp Locking Male Plug to 50 Amp Female Receptacle Adapter.

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Notice that's 50 amps to 30 amps, so that's not always a problem I guess. But then I need a NEMA L6-30R to NEMA L14-30P. Which also exists.
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Somehow they deal with both the number of wires difference a. Some have a neutral, some don't b. All have two hots c. All have one ground



And they deal with the current difference (knowing that the welder will have to be set to not full duty of course to keep it below 30 amps).



Will it work to connect a 220VAC welder to a 220VAC generator? Is there a better way?


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S

The folks over at rec.crafts.metalworking are much more likely to be knowledgeable about this ... The short answer is yes it will work . I assume the 50A figure is the full load amps draw of your machine or the recommended breaker size. Try turning your welding amps up a little at a time until you trip the breaker on the generator - or if no breaker until the motor bogs - then back off a couple of notches to set your max while on the generator . You may have to make your own adapter using the correct m/f plugs and some no 8 stranded copper wire . My sub panel in the shop is set up to plug the generator into the panel . I can power the welders from their usual plug - and back feed to the house if the power stays off for more than a little while .

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C

buy the required plug and outlet and wire them together to make your own adapter and make sure you don't turn the amps up too high

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O

On Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:13:28 -0500, Clare Snyder snipped-for-privacy@snyder.on.ca> wrote

Is this already wired for exactly what the OP asks to do?

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Can he plug the welder male (NEMA 6-50P) into the NEMA female (NEMA 6-50R) of the adapter, and then the male (NEMA L14-30P) of the adapter into the female (NEMA L14-30R) of the generator?

Since one side is four wires and the other side is only 3 wires, what do you think they did with the fourth wire? Connect it to ground?

I don't know how it's wired internally though but it's UL listed. I guess that means it's perfectly safe (it's ETL listed also).

[Welder Adapter Cord] NEMA L14-30P male plug to NEMA 6-50R female plug, Supports up to 30 amps, 125/250 volts, 7500 watts max [Male Plug] 4 Prong 30 Amp 125/250 Volts, NEMA L14-30P male plug for L14-30 generator power receptacle [Female Receptacle] NEMA 6-50R, 50 Amp, 3 Prong Female Connector with handle. Suitable for welder , plasma cutters, dryers, electric vehicles and so on, with a NEMA 6-50 plug to receive power [Widely Application]This 30 Amp welder adapter cord helps you connect welder from a portable generator, it is widely use for dryers, recreational vehicles, electric vehicles, dishwashers and so on [Safety and Durability] 10/4 AWG, Pure copper wiring coated with a Heavy Duty flame retardant, heat resistant, UV resistant PVC , Suitable for various harsh environments, ETL-listed
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