How to make a 30amp to 50amp adapter for welder?

Scott & Heather · May 30, 2019, 11:10:30 AM

Can anyone tell me if I can make an adapter so I can plug in my 30amp welder into my 50amp socket that I normally plug my bus into?

chessie4905 · May 30, 2019, 11:45:38 AM

Should work fine. Is your welder 110 or 220?

Scott & Heather · May 30, 2019, 12:45:26 PM

230 v single phase

richard5933 · May 30, 2019, 01:57:44 PM

Have you thought about changing the power cord/plug to a 4-conductor setup? Might not cost any more and would provide a separate neutral ground.

Otherwise, here's a page with various diagrams showing what connects to what.

https://makezine.com/projects/build-240v-adapter/

chessie4905 · May 30, 2019, 03:19:12 PM

To change the power cord requires opening up the welder. They make 50 amp plugs and sockets that don't require a mounting box same for 30 amp. Then just buy some 3 wire rubber or flexible 3 wire cable of 10 or 8 gauge from hdwe store of your choice. You won't need the neutral for the welder. Just the two hots and ground.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-PowerGrip-Replacement-Transform-55255/dp/B000PGVZ30/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=camco+50+amp+plug&qid=1559255118&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

Socket is nema 6-50. Got this off my Lincoln sp175 220 volt with same plug as yours. I have an extension cord an a 50 to 30 so I can plug into rv sockets in different spots in shop. I bought my plugs and sockets at Lowes or HD. Cheaper to make your own. I bought the cable there in footage needed. I think I used 10 gauge stranded 3 wire cable.

https://www.amazon.com/EATON-WD1252-125-Volt-Surface-Receptacle/dp/B000FPCL2A/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Nema+6-50+socket&qid=1559256440&s=gateway&sr=8-4

Geoff · May 30, 2019, 03:41:03 PM

What I do is buy a 50 amp male end used for appliances that comes with a foot or so of cord, then a receptical box that fits the welder plug. Hook the 50 amp plug wires into the 30 amp receptical, leaving the white wire taped off, green to ground, black to one hot, red to the second hot.

muldoonman · May 30, 2019, 03:56:21 PM

Buy you a 30 amp to 50 amp adapter.

chessie4905 · May 30, 2019, 03:59:02 PM

The adapters are 30 amp to 125 volt for rv use. Usually are twice what you'll pay for the pieces you need.

eagle19952 · May 30, 2019, 05:34:26 PM

Cut the end off and add a 5o amp RV cord end..you'll have two legs and a ground. no neutral needed.

Are you welding on your bus ?
Wire it directly to a breaker....in your bus panel.
there are many ways to skin a cat.

Most welders have a proprietary to welders cord end.

chessie4905 · May 30, 2019, 06:34:08 PM

If it is like my welder, the cord is too short to reach whatever you are working on. Make up an extension cord.

Dave5Cs · May 30, 2019, 06:48:49 PM

$20.00 adapter

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076VJ64JZ/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B076VJ64JZ&pd_rd_w=xUBfh&pf_rd_p=8a8f3917-7900-4ce8-ad90-adf0d53c0985&pd_rd_wg=H2vSj&pf_rd_r=PR3SCJEH1ZW48MBBYWMN&pd_rd_r=f924c82b-8345-11e9-8ec8-f37f2ab7fd5a

richard5933 · May 30, 2019, 06:57:32 PM

Quote from: Dave5Cs on May 30, 2019, 06:48:49 PM
$20.00 adapter

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076VJ64JZ/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B076VJ64JZ&pd_rd_w=xUBfh&pf_rd_p=8a8f3917-7900-4ce8-ad90-adf0d53c0985&pd_rd_wg=H2vSj&pf_rd_r=PR3SCJEH1ZW48MBBYWMN&pd_rd_r=f924c82b-8345-11e9-8ec8-f37f2ab7fd5a

Won't work. The 30-amp end has angled terminals. The ones on his welder are parallel to each other. Also won't work because that adapter is pulling 120v from one leg of the 50-amp outlet, not 240v.

Buy a length of 3-conductor cable, a receptacle that will accept the welder plug, and a 50-amp plug and put them together.

buswarrior · May 30, 2019, 07:08:59 PM

Scott, have you a streak of mischief in you?

You knew what would happen...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

Scott & Heather · May 30, 2019, 08:44:41 PM

Thanks for all the great replies. Good stuff and now I have a game plan. Will wire this up tomorrow and see how it all plays out. I am looking forward to using the welder again. I have a heavily modified golf cart that we've added to our arsenal and need to weld on a receiver. Yes I am mischievous knowing that this question would undoubtedly bring up the wonderful familiar smells of skinned cats. Lol.

Here's my toy:

muldoonman · May 31, 2019, 02:51:37 AM

Quote from: Scott & Heather on May 30, 2019, 08:44:41 PM
Thanks for all the great replies. Good stuff and now I have a game plan. Will wire this up tomorrow and see how it all plays out. I am looking forward to using the welder again. I have a heavily modified golf cart that we've added to our arsenal and need to weld on a receiver. Yes I am mischievous knowing that this question would undoubtedly bring up the wonderful familiar smells of skinned cats. Lol.

Here's my toy:

The bus doesn't keep you busy enough now the fella is taking up golf.