Newbie pot question

[encoreman]

Hi guys, I am finally buying a furnace to melt lead. Should I get the 220 volt lee prod pot, or is the 110 just as good. What about electricity usage all you electricity guru's. Thanks for the help, Mac:)

[felix]

Electricity usage is the same because you are paying for the heat generated. However, your pot will last longer if supplied in 220 volt, meaning it will halve the current which destroys things. ... felix

[TAWILDCATT]

If you have the outlet I would go for the 220 as FMR says half the amps,your not drawing the load.:coffee: [smilie=1:

[jack19512]

Myself I would go with the 120 volt unit. These things don't draw that much current anyway and it might be a pain in the you know what to have a 220 volt supply handy everywhere you might want to cast someday.

[Dean D.]

I have to agree with Jack. 110/120v outlets are everywhere. 220v outlets are rarer.

I don't know what the list wattage on the newer pots are, I use a Potter "C" bottom pour that is ancient and it is only rated at 375w. Using the formula "watts divided by volts = amps" you come up with 3.125 amps. Most household 120v circuits have either 15 or 20 amp breakers. Unless you have a lot of other stuff turned on on the same circuit you should be ok.

[Gerry N.]

How many 220 V outlets are you going to encounter in the time you have the pot?
If you ever move, will there be 220V handy? Are you going into professional production?

Realistically, a 110 V pot will be much more useful.

Gerry N.

[jnovotny]

Hey Mac I've used a Lee pro pot in 110volts for years and I've moved a couple of times since I've owned it. Always had a place to plug it in. Would not be a bad idea to go with the 110 volt model unless you can wire a 220 volt plug in yourself.

[Bret4207]

Watts are watts. An 800 watt 120 and 800 watt 220 are drawing the same amount of power.

[copdills]

I got the 110 /120 volt , had it for over a year works for me

[madsenshooter]

Lee pots are 500 watt. I've had my 120V on for a week or more and didn't see any difference in my electric bill. Thought I would, but didn't. For those of you in the Pacific, if you ever need an element for your Lee, they're made in Taiwan!

[Ian Robertson]

I have had a 10lb Lee for about 30 years. Finally broke down and bought a 20lb 4-20 Lee. 120V works great and is fast. Melts a load in about 20 min, wouldn't bother with 220v.