I am still looking for a way to set up my heat treat ovens in the garage. Would using a step up converter rated at 4000 watts work. (Cost $150) The oven runs at 220V/3100Watts/13Amps. Thank you.
Edit- The question I have is, is are converters like this appropriate for the application? http://www.220-electronics.com/Trans.../simranreg.htm
Just contacted the company. They go from 110 US to 220 European only. Does anyone know if there is a 110 US to 220 US convertor. I cannont find one.
That oven must be 120/240 volts. In order for that converter to work your 110VAC circuit would have to be able to draw 26 amperes of current. E x I = P is Ohm's Law, where E= Voltage, I = Current(amperes) and Power(watts) so if you cut the voltage in half ( 110 to 220) to get the same 3100wattage( Volts x Amps) you need to double the current(2x13 amps)
3100/240= 12.916669(13)
3100/120= 25.833333(26)
In order to use that transformer you would need a dedicated 30 amp 110/120 volt line using 10 gauge wire( not a common situation), where with a dedicated 220/240 line for 15 amps you would use 14 gauge wire, that is most probably half the cost .
Bottom line is you need an electrician to run a dedicated 220/240 volt line.
Well that simplifies it. Much appreciated. Thank you.
Agreed. The least inexpensive and most reliable solution would be to run a 240v circuit from your breaker box (as you would if you were running any other 240v device like a drier, oven, water heater....).