You know I had to wonder too.

In my "B.C. Electrical Code Simplified" book, (a really useful book
btw) it outlines specific wire and parts for a 20 amp circuit. For
obvious reasons.

I hope the wiring/receptacle can handle the potential load a 30 amp
breaker would allow!

I'm considering running new wire etc. for a larger capacity breaker.

It tripped too many times yesterday welding my Vanagon stuff (VC)

Cheers,

Neil.

On Wed, Mar 19, 2008 at 3:20 PM, Mike Elliott <camping.elliott@gmail.com> wrote:
> This is now NVC, but I gotta say.
>
>  You replaced a 20A household breaker with a 30A? Well, if you suddenly
>  smell wood smoke while you're welding, just know that if the blaze was
>  started by that circuit overheating, your home's fire insurance is worthless.
>
>  If you already know this, then forge ahead! Have at it! But forewarned is
>  forearmed.
>
>  --
>  Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
>  71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
>  84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
>  74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
>  KG6RCR
>
>
>
>  On 3/19/2008 2:07 PM Scott Daniel - Shazam wrote:
>
>  > Sounds all good.
>  > I have a 20 amp circuit that would trip the same way -get that 300 or 500
>  > watt light on it, and my wire feed welder and it would trip pretty easily.
>  >
>  > I'd never thought this, but it makes sense - a guy pointed out to me that
>  > once a circuit breaker has tripped many times, it's weaker and will trip
>  > more easily than it should.   I think I just replaced my old 20 amp circuit
>  > breaker with a 30.
>  > You're getting' it ........be firin' that mutha up soon !
>  > Scott
>  >
>  > -----Original Message-----
>  > From: neil N [mailto:musomuso@gmail.com]
>  > Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 1:58 PM
>  > To: Scott Daniel - Shazam
>  > Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
>  > Subject: Re: If you're bored.... Vanagon Engine Conversion Progress (welding
>  > pics)
>  >
>  > Good pointers.
>  >
>  > No extension cord. All 12/2 from a 20 amp dedicated breaker. (though I
>  > have "snuck" a fan on there) Only tripped it once because I had a 300
>  > watt work lamp on the circuit. It has been banned from this circuit!
>  >
>  > I'll have to research wire that's best for the gases I'm running. For
>  > now, I'm getting that sizzling sound. Most of the time --- ;^)
>  >
>  > Neat about wire lube. This is a decent (Hobart) welder, so wire feed
>  > system is good. No birds nests or binding. I'm careful about how I
>  > position the cable to gun.
>  >
>