110v or 220v pot

[cs86]

I'm wanting to get a Lee 4-20 melting pot and was just wondering what the advantages and disadvantages are for the 2 voltages. I realize the advantage to a 220v is that it will heat up quickers. What about temperature fluctuations between the 2 or anything else?

Thanks

Edit: also I was wondering: When you use a thermometer is it only suppose to be used as a check by single dips and then pulled out or do you leave it in for the whole duration of casting? I have a thermometer on order and haven't received it yet. I just don't want to do something wrong and ruin it.

[knifemaker]

I have the Lee 20 pound 110 volt pot and it will heat up to casting temp within 20 minutes with ease. As for the thermometer, I leave it in the pot in order to watch and correct any excessive rise in melting temperture. I have it set up where the tip of the thermometer is about 1 inch above the bottom of the pot in order to get a more accurate temp reading on the melted lead.
when you get your pot, after getting the lead to melt, you may find you have to turn the dial indicater down to around number 4-5 to keep you lead at the right casting temp of about 700-725 degrees if that is your preferred temp to cast at.

[Grendel99]

Isn't the 220 volt pot for being sold over seas? I don't think it has anything to do with heating up faster.

[uscra112]

It's the wattage that makes the heat. Compare and I think you'll find them the same.

And yes, most of Europe has 220 volt mains, so anything sold there has to be 220 volt.

[Mal Paso]

They are the same wattage. Heat at the same rate. The amperage draw is half at 240V (about 3A) but 6 Amps for the 120V model is not a huge load. Circuits you would use are minimum 15 and usually 20 Amps. Usually in the US, the convenience of 120V wins.

[Oreo]

If you're in the US there is absolutely no good reason to buy a 220v. Period.

If you needed a 220v pot you wouldn't have to ask. You'd already know and you'd know why.

[rockrat]

The 220v might be a bit cheaper to run, efficiency of 220v over 110v, but you might be looking at a saving of 1% or less. Probably closer to .1%, so when you use $10 of electricity, you might save $0.01 to $0.10. Not really worth it unless you have a 220v outlet right where you are going to cast.

[alamogunr]

If you're in the US there is absolutely no good reason to buy a 220v. Period.

If you needed a 220v pot you wouldn't have to ask. You'd already know and you'd know why.

I have to take issue with "absolutely no good reason". Two or three years ago a ran across a special sale on 220V Pro-Melt at a substantial discount. Since I already had a 220V outlet in my shop, I ordered it and finally had a top quality pot to go along with the Lee pot.

[Kull]

Unless your wanting to run many amps on one breaker the convenience of 120v wins.

[cs86]

Thanks for the replies. I see that there is no major advantage to going with a 220v and it is much more convenient to work from a 110v.

[powderburnerr]

the 110 v. comments are interesting , I have both and prefer the 220v. way better.

[cs86]

the 110 v. comments are interesting , I have both and prefer the 220v. way better.

Can explain why you like it better.

[Oreo]

I have to take issue with "absolutely no good reason". Two or three years ago a ran across a special sale on 220V Pro-Melt at a substantial discount. Since I already had a 220V outlet in my shop, I ordered it and finally had a top quality pot to go along with the Lee pot.

Exactly like I said. If you had a good reason you'd know and you'd know why.

[MtGun44]

It will not heat up faster unless it has a higher wattage rating element, but 220VAC
can electrocute you a lot easier than 110VAC.

220V units are for overseas sales.

Bill

[rockrat]

220v will run half the amps of the 110v. If you have an 220v outlet handy and you can get the pot cheaper, then why not go with 220v. My 220 is over by the welder and the lathe, not where I cast, so I use 110v.

[dragon813gt]

It will not heat up faster unless it has a higher wattage rating element, but 220VAC
can electrocute you a lot easier than 110VAC.

220V units are for overseas sales.

Bill

They aren't for overseas. If they were they would have the european plug styles on them. They have the US 240v plug. Many people cast in their garage. Where if you have a real air compressor it's 240v. So chances are you have another receptacle or can out one on the circuit.

120 will kill you just as dead as 240v. You just have a 50% less chance of hitting the hot side w/ 120. It's also amps that has the greater ability to kill you. It doesn't take much current to interrupt the human heart.

[alamogunr]

They aren't for overseas. If they were they would have the european plug styles on them. They have the US 240v plug. Many people cast in their garage. Where if you have a real air compressor it's 240v. So chances are you have another receptacle or can out one on the circuit.

120 will kill you just as dead as 240v. You just have a 50% less chance of hitting the hot side w/ 120. It's also amps that has the greater ability to kill you. It doesn't take much current to interrupt the human heart.

The ProMelt I bought had a special plug on the cord. It was just like those you find in Europe. I cut it off and installed a plug like I have on my table saw I wired for 220V. The plug cost approx. $3.00.

[turmech]

European power is also 50 hertz and we use 60 hertz. I don't think you can run a 50 hertz appliance of a 60 hertz power. Hertz measures how many times the phase wave goes from negative to positive a second. Been awhile but I think this is a true statement.

The amount of energy usage between the two would be the same even though the amperage is higher in a 110v circuit. This is because we pay for watts used. Watts is Volts x Amps. If you double the amps by cut the volts in half the equation remains the same and cost the same.

Not that any of this matters to the caster but I had to show how smart or stupid I was.

[turmech]

Why the amps are important is the appliance can run off a smaller power supply cord. This has no effect on something as small a casting pot. But this is why larger appliances will use 230v almost exclusively. 110,115.&120 are the same and based on what the power company provides you. 220,230 & 240 are the 2 legs of 110,115,120 measures across them.

More somewhat useless information to the caster most likely.

[dragon813gt]

Most appliances are designed to run at 50 and 60 hertz. You will see it on the ratings label. This effects motors more than a simple heating element.

I also stand corrected on the Lee pots. They ship with no plug. I've only ever seen used ones so that explains why they had the US plugs on them.

[dragon813gt]

Nevermind

[Oreo]

The cycle rate of the AC won't matter a bit for simple electronics like a heating element. Some motors, and most fine electronics are much more sensitive though.