50 Amp to Welder outlet

**Grand Master IceMan** · 03-26-2021, 11:41 AM

Hello,
I am at my brother-in-law's place and he has a Welder 3-prong outlet box, which doesn't match my 4-prong 50 Amp cable.
But we exchanged that outlet box for a 4-prong that will plug in. However, (without it being plugged into the RV end), my Power Surge Protector lit up an Error indicating the 'Neutral wire' was missing.
...What should we do now?

Thanks, Craig E.

**huntr70** · 03-26-2021, 12:05 PM

Is the welder a 220V welder?

DO NO PLUG INTO 220 VOLTS!

**llr2800** · 03-26-2021, 12:22 PM

You need 4 wires 2-hots, 1 neutral and a safety ground. Changing from a 3 prong to a 4 prong outlet just makes the plug fit but doesn't fix the issue.

The 220/240V is not the issue, your RV uses this but it needs the neutral to make 2 usable 120v circuits. If this wire is ran in conduit you may be able to add the 4th wire, if not you need to run all new wire. The welder could still share this, it doesn't use the neutral wire.

**Chewwi** · 03-26-2021, 01:11 PM

Please don’t take offense, but if you and your brother in-law don’t understand 240/120V wiring hire an electrician that does.

2020 2600RB,
2017 Silverado Crew Cab 1500, 6.2L

**BobLandry** · 03-26-2021, 03:54 PM

Although 50A service is 240V, it creates two 120V legs which is what everything in the trailer uses, so it does require a neutral.

**Grand Master IceMan** · 03-26-2021, 04:03 PM

Thanks everyone! That some good education

It sounds like we need to see if a Neutral conduit line can be added.
If not, do a complete new install; else don't plug in!

**jkwilson** · 03-26-2021, 04:29 PM

Very lucky you had a surge protector that kept you from operating!

**BobLandry** · 03-26-2021, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by huntr70

Is the welder a 220V welder?

DO NO PLUG INTO 220 VOLTS!

50A is 220V.

**BobLandry** · 03-26-2021, 05:03 PM

One of the things that really scare me on forums is people who are not versed in the subject but want to post something anyway,

Most of the time it isn't an issue. Electrical is the biggie. If you are not familiar with the operating aspects of RV power, please do not post advice. Someone who understands it will shrug it off. A noobie may take it as gospel and that can easily lead to a disaster, destruction of your appliances, and in the worst case, electrocution.

**Grand Master IceMan** · 03-26-2021, 05:26 PM

Certainly; that said: What was said that was incorrect or just possibly misleading?
It was all very cautionary as far as I can tell.
But should be my "takeaway from this" in order to know what to do in my situation?
Thanks.