Need electrical 220V help

[XJ4IV]

I need to run some 220V wiring but what I need to learn how to do it WHICH wires to hook up to which terminal... basically I need to know from the circuit breaker all the way to the outlet, also I need to make sure my welder is set up for the same plug. I can provide some pics as to what I have to work with if that helps, I need to snap a bunch anyhow
thanks for the help.

[Firemanray]

I work with this stuff nearly every day. Post some pics and I will see what I can do to help.

[XJ4IV]

Alright here is what I have, I have two welders to use one is a mig welder miller 175 the other is my lincoln AC225
Millers plug
http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m590/XJ4IV/IMG229.jpg
lincolns plug is stripped no actual plug just exposed wires

extension cord as such
http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m590/XJ4IV/IMG239.jpg
other end fits the miller plug since it a smaller style

what Im wondering is which wire is which on this plug http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m590/XJ4IV/IMG229.jpg

so when I wire the other welders plug

it will be the same.
and lastly I need to know how to run my wires to the circuit breaker which is a 50 amp...
also here are the specs per welder
miller:
http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m590/XJ4IV/IMG240-1.jpg
lincoln:
http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m590/XJ4IV/IMG241.jpg
seeing THOSE numbers can I still use the same plug? and circuit breaker?

[4.3LXJ]

Three wires, two are hot. You run one from each lug on the 220V breaker, make sure it is one, to the two spades on the receptacle. The other is the ground which goes to the ground bus, the one with the bare wires on it. You need a 50 amp breaker and #8 wire for it all.

[XJ4IV]

I knew that two were hot and one is ground, does it matter WHICH prong they go to on the two prongs? I KNOW not the rounded one but which of the right or left?

[Firemanray]

No, the two hots can hook to either flat terminal and the ground hooks to the round terminal. You are dealing with alternating current there is no + or - , only "hot" and "neutral".

[XJ4IV]

oh... ok... Soooo on the circuit breaker side all I do is put my neutral to the grounding terminal in the breaker box and then the two hots can go to either of the two inserts on the breaker?

[Firemanray]

oh... ok... Soooo on the circuit breaker side all I do is put my neutral to the grounding terminal in the breaker box and then the two hots can go to either of the two inserts on the breaker?

Exactly! :thumbsup:

[XJ4IV]

ok here is what I am working with, is there like a specil breaker I need... I recall that there are old breaker boxes and new ones, sooooo which is this?
http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m590/XJ4IV/IMG243.jpg
It would be my luck that it would be like the computer thing pci, or pci express...

[XJ4IV]

those 220's that are just chilling there are for a spa... that is no longer on the property, WHY the previous owner removed the breaker is a mystery to me but whatever, it makes room for my welder breaker

[Firemanray]

Looks like you have a Cutler-Hammer main in it. Not sure what kind of box that is. Take one of the other breakers (110v is ok) out and take it with you when you go get a new one. Just make sure the "hook" and "contacts" are the same on the one you buy. Lowe's should have something that will fit.

[XJ4IV]

sweet! I cant wait to start burning metal again LOL
and the COOLEST thing is... this guy http://fishersiron.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=4 lives across the street from me... and he is a great guy!

[XJ4IV]

Looks like you have a Cutler-Hammer main in it. Not sure what kind of box that is. Take one of the other breakers (110v is ok) out and take it with you when you go get a new one. Just make sure the "hook" and "contacts" are the same on the one you buy. Lowe's should have something that will fit.

one other thing... and it appears you cant see them in the picture, on this main panel I only have three open areas, the welder is going to take up two of them leaving me with one... I DO intend on putting another spa in and would need an additional two spots, how difficult is it to switch that? Im guessing that one screw up would pretty much be instantaneous death!?!?!

[Firemanray]

one other thing... and it appears you cant see them in the picture, on this main panel I only have three open areas, the welder is going to take up two of them leaving me with one... I DO intend on putting another spa in and would need an additional two spots, how difficult is it to switch that? Im guessing that one screw up would pretty much be instantaneous death!?!?!

Depending on the box, you can get 110v breakers that will fit 2 brekers into 1 spot. Skinny breakers made together that hook in 1 space. There are all kinds of code legal tricks to making more space in a breaker box. You can always add a "sub-panel" to the system. You only have a 150amp service there so don't add to many things to it.

[XJ4IV]

well all I was gonna add was the spa... also since your pretty savvy, those string of lights you see at car dealerships or sometimes in construction...
http://www.backyarddesignslighting.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Outdoor-String-Lights-7.jpg
i wanna get a BUNCH of this for the property is this MADE or do they sell em? Ive never seen em at a store! I MAY just end up buying a bunch of christmaslights but I prefer them to give off a decent amount of light for evening walks!

[Firemanray]

I've seen these before, I'm sure you can buy them. I have seen them in construction sites only with bulb protectors on them, they were comercially produced. LED christmas lights would be cheaper to operate.