Titan ReloadingWidenersReloading EverythingMidSouth Shooters Supply
Lee PrecisionLoad DataInline FabricationRepackbox
RotoMetals2
Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: Lee Melter Furnace Voltage Issue

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    5

    Exclamation Lee Melter Furnace Voltage Issue

    Hey y'all, this is my first time posting here. I will soon be beginning my first boolit casting setup but I have already hit a roadblock. I accidentally ordered a 220 volt pot not realizing this was not US standard, and so I am lost on what kind of plug I need to wire it to as it doesn't come with a plug. Am I able to wire it to a standard 3 prong plug, if not is there some kind of adapter I need? Thanks!

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy

    Flailguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Bakersfield CA
    Posts
    192
    The standard 3 prong plug is 120v you need a 240v plug that looks like thisClick image for larger version. 

Name:	16011669686923745492829558462298.jpg 
Views:	22 
Size:	31.9 KB 
ID:	268385
    Preferably not burnt lol.
    You also need wiring.

  3. #3
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    5
    Hey Flailguy, thanks for the info! Exactly what I needed to know.

  4. #4
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Wilds of Southern West Virginia
    Posts
    65
    Even if you change the plug or the wall outlet you won't get satisfactory results. Running a 220v heating element on 120v circuit will only produce 1/4 the heat output. You would have to rewire the outlet to a 220v source. Probably better to try to return the pot and buy the correct 120v version.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master


    frkelly74's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    SAGINAW
    Posts
    2,383
    .Run a dedicated 220 V circuit. It will work fine and is not too difficult to do. My opinion.
    Quis Quis Quis, Quis Liberat Canes

    /////////BREAKING NEWS////////////
    Millions and millions of American shooters and sportsmen got up, went to work, contributed to society in useful and meaningful ways all over the nation and shot no one today! How do they controll themselves?? Experts Baffled....


    I LIKE IKE

  6. #6
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    5
    Quote Originally Posted by ChuckO View Post
    Even if you change the plug or the wall outlet you won't get satisfactory results. Running a 220v heating element on 120v circuit will only produce 1/4 the heat output. You would have to rewire the outlet to a 220v source. Probably better to try to return the pot and buy the correct 120v version.
    With that in mind I decided to just return it and get the right one, I'm not in a hurry and I'm busy most of the time so less work the better

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master

    gwpercle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    Posts
    9,251
    Quote Originally Posted by StevieQuick View Post
    Hey y'all, this is my first time posting here. I will soon be beginning my first boolit casting setup but I have already hit a roadblock. I accidentally ordered a 220 volt pot not realizing this was not US standard, and so I am lost on what kind of plug I need to wire it to as it doesn't come with a plug. Am I able to wire it to a standard 3 prong plug, if not is there some kind of adapter I need? Thanks!
    You just might want to get a professional electrician to install a dedicated 230 volt line with proper sized breaker and wire ...if you don't know what your doing you will spend more time and money trying to figure it out . My Dad was an electrician ... some of the stuff homeowners would try to do was amazingly dangerous ... You can burn your house down and insurance isn't going to pay for it if you wired it .
    Gary
    Certified Cajun
    Proud Member of The Basket of Deplorables
    " Let's Go Brandon !"

  8. #8
    Boolit Grand Master

    gwpercle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    Posts
    9,251
    Quote Originally Posted by StevieQuick View Post
    With that in mind I decided to just return it and get the right one, I'm not in a hurry and I'm busy most of the time so less work the better
    Wise move ... you can plug the 110 volt in any standard receptacle ...try to find a circuit with nothing else on it .
    Gary
    Certified Cajun
    Proud Member of The Basket of Deplorables
    " Let's Go Brandon !"

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
    Dragonheart's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Katy, Texas
    Posts
    2,705
    I agree returning is probably the best solution. I would assume the 220V pot would heat faster, but the hassle factor of limiting your operation to a location where you can get to 220 would likely be more of a problem in the long run.

  10. #10
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    5
    Exactly. And since I am a college student in my last year I will be moving out of my parents house before too long so it will make moving my setup easier.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    JAX, FL
    Posts
    1,228
    Quote Originally Posted by ChuckO View Post
    Even if you change the plug or the wall outlet you won't get satisfactory results. Running a 220v heating element on 120v circuit will only produce 1/4 the heat output. You would have to rewire the outlet to a 220v source. Probably better to try to return the pot and buy the correct 120v version.
    Does anyone know if this same 1/4 reduction in heat output will remain if a conversion plug is used?
    “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem.” Ronald Reagan


  12. #12
    Boolit Master
    Mal Paso's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Carmel, Ca
    Posts
    4,121
    Quote Originally Posted by oley55 View Post
    Does anyone know if this same 1/4 reduction in heat output will remain if a conversion plug is used?
    Half. Voltage divided by resistance equals amps. If it's a Lee, the buzzer that controls the heat may not cycle. Old RCBS and Lyman thermostats will work. New ones are a crap shoot. Both RCBS and Lyman say their new 240 pots are 50HZ European.
    Mal

    Mal Paso means Bad Pass, just so you know.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check