Extension cord question

klumzypinoy

klumzypinoy

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What extension cord is safe with the UDM? It says it has a 4.2 amp, 500 watt motor in the manual. I'm thinking of 20 to 50 ft. I just want a cord that won't let it heat up or anything like that. Thanks in advance :D
 
4 amps is nothing. Pretty much any extension cord you can find will be okay with that.

That being said, I love big fat extension cords.. Even if you don't need it specifically for the UDM, you'll probably need it for something at some point in the future..

You can get a decent 25' 12/3 cord for around $20-25 (+- a few depending on where you shop).. It will run pretty much anything you'll ever need to run with an extension cord.. I actually have a few 10ga cords. They can be a little bit of a pain trying to roll them up 100' at a time.

But yeah, even your basic 16ga cable will run the UDM with no probs.. I would recommend getting at least a 50' cord though.. You'll run out of 25' really quick.
 
I have an extension cord lying in the garage, but it's no 12 gauge since it isn't thick :p. It's pretty long too, but I don't know how long. If I plan to buy a 50 ft cord I'll go for the 12/3. So why should I get a fat cord, they last forever or something? THanks for the info!
 
I have this one for my PC, rotary and vac....
Lowe's Home
078693228841.jpg
 
sparkie said:
I have this one for my PC, rotary and vac....
Lowe's Home
078693228841.jpg
Click to expand...


This is the cord you want....I have them in 50 and 100 footers....I use the with all my high draw power tools and never a heated cord or tool ....

Years ago I was using a cheap cord with a skil saw and the extension cord was heating up and melting due to the high draw of the saw..I swittch over to all construction grade cords and never had a problem again..even when using with the generator...

AL
 
The only problem is that the wiring in the house/garage that you are plugging into may be 14/2
The bigger cord may help with voltage drop if you were going a long distance with a heavy load.
 
I use the Yellow Jackets at the shop, but yesterday I went to Sears to look for a new Dryer (you just can't go to Sears without a cruise thru the Tool Section LOL).

They have a great new 12/3 extention cord in 25-50 lengths that has a locking mechanism on the female end. I ended up getting a 50 footer for my driveway details and the lock works great! I'll try to snag a picture of the cord and post it.

Toto
 
Cool thanks for all the info guys :D. I'll pick me up a yellow jacket someday. Toto, I'm curious about that cord :) hope to see a picture soon!
 
klumzypinoy said:
Cool thanks for all the info guys :D. I'll pick me up a yellow jacket someday. Toto, I'm curious about that cord :) hope to see a picture soon!
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you can buy the cord locks seperate aslo....it locks the two cords together so no pull aparts when you tug on them....they are like 3.50 for a 2 pack....

AL
 
I was looking at the Yellow Jackets as well, but then again, like Toto said, Sears is always having a good sale!
 
Al-53 said:
you can buy the cord locks seperate aslo....it locks the two cords together so no pull aparts when you tug on them....they are like 3.50 for a 2 pack....

AL
Click to expand...

This lock tool sounds great, don't think I've ever seen one though. Is there a picture floating around by any chance?

As far as extension cords go 12gauge is probably all you will ever need, I actually got a 10gauge and man it's thick, no to mention heave...but way, way overkill. You don't need a 10 gauge extension cord...I just had to have one :rolleyes:
 
Nica said:
This lock tool sounds great, don't think I've ever seen one though. Is there a picture floating around by any chance?

As far as extension cords go 12gauge is probably all you will ever need, I actually got a 10gauge and man it's thick, no to mention heave...but way, way overkill. You don't need a 10 gauge extension cord...I just had to have one :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Yes they are heavy! And way overkill for most everything.. But they do take some weight out of the wallet ;)

The reason I have a couple of 100ft 10ga cords is that I work construction for a living.. And occasionally we'll have to run 200ft of cord from the temporary pole on a new building to even get power on the jobsite (short of running a generator, which gets old listening to it running 8hrs a day).. And 12 or 14ga won't run a skill saw, air compressor, or anything else that draws alot of power over that long of a distance.. Especially when you have other stuff going as well..

But a 12ga cord will be more than enough for most any detailing job.. Even at 100ft...
 
just to change the subject for a moment, I recently (last weekend) picked up a professional super heavy duty 50 foot cord for sale at Lowes on clearance. It rang up 38.90 and was priced at 9.99 so manager needed to come over and change price. They had three, but none when I revisited two days later. Maybe your store might still have one ??
 
I have the Yellow Jacket or something similar as well. You know the bright orange extension cords that everyone seems to use? That's what you want. The only thing you need to stay away from are those super thin extension cords - similar to the power cord on a house lamp. That won't be sturdy enough to handle the current.
 
Sears 50' 12ga w/lock here. A little more expensive but worth it for peace of mind. It should last forever. In fact I think I'll pick up another 25' when it goes on sale.
 
My local walmart had a 50 foot black and decker contractor grade 12/3 cord with power on indicator with lifetime warranty for 29.99 and the 100 foot is 49.99.
 
Pauly6401 said:
I have the Yellow Jacket or something similar as well. You know the bright orange extension cords that everyone seems to use? That's what you want. The only thing you need to stay away from are those super thin extension cords - similar to the power cord on a house lamp. That won't be sturdy enough to handle the current.
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The one I have is not as thin as a lamp cord thank God, but it's not thick :p. It's the typical orange color too.
 
As a master electrician I would say if your cord is 14 ga your fine.12 ga are nicer and a little sturdier.10 ga for detailing is total overkill unless your 150ft away from your powersource or using a machine that draws 30 amps.If the UDM draws 4.2 amps 14ga is good for 15amps.Depending on local code(how the city or county uses the N.E.C)or if you or someone has added outlets most of your outside and garage circuits are only 15amp.
 
02CAMSS said:
As a master electrician I would say if your cord is 14 ga your fine.12 ga are nicer and a little sturdier.10 ga for detailing is total overkill unless your 150ft away from your powersource or using a machine that draws 30 amps.If the UDM draws 4.2 amps 14ga is good for 15amps.Depending on local code(how the city or county uses the N.E.C)or if you or someone has added outlets most of your outside and garage circuits are only 15amp.
Click to expand...

Cool thanks for the info! I need to invest in some good lighting and another extension cord for it...
 
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