The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk New Garage and electricity

I am getting a garage built in my back yard to house the truck. It will also be a workshop and of course a light mechanic's workspace. I do not weld but have friends who do. Do I need 220 in the garage for welding? I have heard that sheet metal can be welded (MIG) at 115 volts. I want the layout / design and features to accomodate my needs. Thanks for input. BW

Go ahead and run 220 into the garage. You may find that you want to put a larger Air Compressor in, or even an A/C. The 220V will come in handy, even if you stick to a 110 welder.

Run 220 to a couple of different spots- The better compressors and welders are 220 and don't necessarily cost any more than 110 units. The 220 outlets should have utility/appliance plugs, not dryer plugs. They should probably have at least 40 amps breakers each.

I second that, run as much power as you think you'll ever need - and then double it. You can never have too much POWER!

DITTO THE 240(220)!it does not cost that much more NOW!!!!!!!!

Trust me, it will cost more later when you need it. do it now.

Would someone explain why the old appliance type plug won't work? Had them in my shop for years.

Illuminating advice here! 220 for sure!!Like Tim Taylor from Tool Time says,"MORE POWER!"

I regret that I didnt have 220v ran to the barn. I would like to have a bigger compressor, maybe a twin head Ingersoll 15/20 horses. I can do it with 110v but the amp draw over 110v lines would cause my electric cost to sky rocket.
So I say overkill your present needs to enable future growth in your tool line.
Hobert

220V, hell, yeah! When my shop was built. I ran several 220 circuits; one for the water heater, another right off the breaker box for convenience, a third for a compressor in the back of the shop, and a fourth for a welder. Plus, I have a 50 amp 110V RV outlet inside the shop, for when we were living in a fifth wheel while our house was being built.

More Power!! AR AR AR AR!!

220 for sure!

I run my table saw, welders, air compressor, and anything else I can on 220.

The cost to run the service will be about the same anyway.

I just wish I had 3 phase!

LUCKY YOU
run the 220vac
make sure the wire is of the proper gauge to carry a large load
Place 1 or 2 110v and maybe a 220v outlets by the front door so power tools and welding, grinding, etc. can be done in the driveway ... air also.
Oh yeah for charging those 6 volt truck batteries too. :rolleyes:

Generally, if you have a normal 110v going to a breaker panel, you already have 220 capability. In a normal install (althought it is called single phase), you have three wires, two hot and one neutral. this is actually two phase. If you look inside the breaker panel, you'll see two rows of hot lugs (black wire) and one row of lugs (neutral- white wire). This is so you can balance your 110 load across phases. To get 220v, you just tap across the two "hots." So if they come in with 3 wire power, you have 220 capability, you can add 220v circuits now or later. If they only come in with two wires, beware, that usually is bad sign.

Definately 220, man.. Which is really what outta be feeding your panel in the garage (two 110 lines and one neutral).

Depending on how you're finishing the interior walls of the garage, and the size, you don't even really need to run the individual 220 lines.. but you'll want a breaker box that has the capability in the future, for sure.

My PERSONAL favorite way to run power in a garage, especially in a multi-purpose workshop, is thru the ceiling with drop down cords.. that way you don't have a bunch of extention cords in the floor to trip on or roll over with cart or vehicle wheels.

Obviously, if you're going to have a deticated equipment room for things like hot water tank, air compressor, etc you'll probably wanna pre-wire for required outlets, and put in a few extra for future expansion.. but it won't ever hurt you to be able to drop a 110 or 220 line out o the ceiling if you ever find ourself needing power in the middle of an open area.

Looks like the vote was unanimous, so 220 goes in. Thanks for all the input. BW