Adapting Plasma Cutter to Generator

[Torinoman]

I have a Powermax 45 plasma cutter that has 3 prong power lead. It looks like the end of the lead is on there permanently but I need to run it using a generator that has one of those round 4 prong outlets.

I'm not too bright when it comes to electrical stuff so I was wondering what my options are for getting it to run off the generator. If I were to swap the end of the lead I would have to cut it off to attach a new one. Is this considered safe or acceptable? Not trying to red-neck rig a 230v connection.

Also, I found an adapter at home depot thats close to the connection on the plasma cutter but not quite.

Here is what the end of the power lead looks like;


And here's the closest adapter I can find. I'm guessing that the extra hole is for neutral which this version cutter doesn't need.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Duromax-30-50-Amp-Portable-Generator-RV-Adapter-XP3050RV/203729835

Any suggestions on what I should do?

[Torinoman]

Well after spending a few seconds googling I found this;
[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Conntek-PL1430650-Generator-250-volt-Adapter/dp/B00SSQIY4M[/ame]
But its $72. Anyone have a more cost effective solution?

Also, the 4 prong connection is only rated at 30 amps but the plasma cutter instructions say it may use up to 50 depending on use. Is this a problem?

[fordracing19]

Get a short piece of 8/3, plug end that you need and a metal box and receptacle. Thats what I did for my welder extention cord.

[Torinoman]

A piece of 8/3? So just make my own adapter? What about fuses?

[fordracing19]

Your generator should be fused. 8ga 3 conductor

[Torinoman]

What is 8 gauge rated for? The plasma cutter is rated for 50 amps

[fordracing19]

8 is 40. You need 6/3. Whats the generator rated output?

[ceyko]

8 is 40. You need 6/3. Whats the generator rated output?

That's gonna be clutch for this one - making a short extension cord/adapter is the easy part.

[Torinoman]

Well crap, the generator is only rated for 30amp. I'm not cutting anything too thick. Think it will be a problem?

[ceyko]

Well crap, the generator is only rated for 30amp. I'm not cutting anything too thick. Think it will be a problem?

50amp compared to 30amp is significant. I think at best it would be unreliable.

I just ran into a situation where I had a 15 amp circuit and needed to put a device on that required 13 amp - that was not good enough for me.

If you consider it cheap the rig it up and try it - it maybe worth a shot - but likely you're not going to like it.

Just my opinion, I only know the basics about these things and am no expert. Your close to only having half the amperage needed and that's probably peak amperage as well.

[Baron Von Crowder]

Not gonna work, done tried it myself.

[Torinoman]

Here's a snap from the manual I found online. After further review I may have been wrong about the power requirements. The top 2 lines are what I should be working with. Looks like the "Input Current at 6kw output" is only looking for something in the 30 amp range. It just recommends a 50amp fuse. Pretty sure the generator is rated for 6000 watts. Like I said before, I'm pretty stupid about this stuff. The EE requirement was the reason I dropped out of my ME major in college. Ugh.

But what does it mean by 'Input current during arc stretch'?

[mustang_revival]

Found this on a forum, may help:

VOLTS X AMPS = WATTS
so we will say cutter needs 230 v 30 a draw
230x30=6900 watt gen

plus air supply if you need that too.

[Torinoman]

Thanks. Looks like the 6000 watt generator I have might work but might be a little marginal. Seems like its worth a try though. I'll mostly be cutting sheet metal and maybe some tube steel. nothing super thick. I can run the air supply off a wall socket instead of the genny.