110/220 ????

[Freightman]

If I have a 220 plug above my bench is there an advantage to a 220v casting pot?

[Matt3357]

You mean besides 4 times the wattage for a given amp load? Other than that, no.

Matt

[Catshooter]

No sir, not as long as they are equivlent wattages. Higher voltage doesn't heat any faster, it's the watts/amps that does the work.


Cat

[bumpo628]

It is less of a draw on the line, so it is less likely to pop a breaker if there is another load on the same line. There are going to be fewer places to plug it in, though.

[bslim]

220Volts will draw half the amps of a 110 volt system. This in turn should save you money in the long run. If you're not worried about cost, as per above, your only concern would be overloading a 15 amp circuit if you have more than one thing pluged in and turned on at one time.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

As an electrician...the only advantage is if your going to run new dedicated wire.
since twice the voltage draws half the current for the same Wattage,
than you can run smaller wire.

For existing wiring, if done properly to code.
a standard 120 volt outlet should handle 15 amps,
a 240 outlet will handle more...depending on what it was wired for...
clothes dryer ? welder ? cooking range ? other machinery ?
there are lots of different 240 outlets for different equipment.
do you know what amperage your melter will pull ?
Jon

[bumpo628]

220Volts will draw half the amps of a 110 volt system. This in turn should save you money in the long run. If you're not worried about cost, as per above, your only concern would be overloading a 15 amp circuit if you have more than one thing pluged in and turned on at one time.

Power = Voltage x Current

So both 120 and 240 will end up costing the same since the power, or wattage, will be the same. No savings, just a lower demand on the line.

[Catshooter]

I neglected to mention my 34 years in the electrical trade in my answer above.

One has to be very careful in posting electrical questions on the net. The world of electricity is not really widely understood. Even by some electricians, let alone a layman/handyman. You get some pretty wild answers.


Cat

[alamogunr]

One advantage is that sometimes 220v pots go on sale. I got my RCBS ProMelt from Midway a couple of years ago on a closeout sale. I think I saved about $100 off regular price.

I already had a 220v outlet for my table saw so all I had to do was replace the European plug that came with the pot with a plug that was compatible with the table saw.

I cast on my table saw anyway(I made a cover for it) so the cord that runs from the outlet to the saw is right there. If it sounds strange to cast on the table saw, consider that I don't have to clean off the loading bench to make room to cast.

John
W.TN

[cutter_spc]

Must be a TN. thang, I cast on my table saw too bother:veryconfu

[troyboy]

Seems like 220 would be a PIA unless you have a dedicated area. I bought a 220 compressor and I have to unplug the dryer when I want to use it. The 110 pots can be plugged in anywhere. ;)