What type extension cords do you use on your detail equipment? Gauges?

Rav777

Rav777

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I was wondering what type you would recommend. I heard somewhere that the long extension cords need to have thicker gauges. I am powering my electric pressure washer, Porter Cable and Flex, and My Mytee Lite II extractor as well as a regular vacuum.

While I am not planning on running every appliance at the same time I also want to have the right gauge as far as cords go. I usually depend on customer’s power and the max my cords stretch out will be around 50 feet.

So I was wondering. Should the gauge of the wire be thicker if I plan to run long electric cords?
I don’t want to force the machines or cause harm to the motors.

-Thanks!
 
I made my own extension cord. I started with 100 ft of 10ga cable with a rubber outer shield and used a 20amp plug on the male end. The female end is a steel junction box with four GFI sockets in it. It's big and bulky, but it will sure carry the load,and keep me safe from shocks at the same time. I coil it up on an old garden hose reel I had lying around.
 
i use a 50ft 12guage extension cord from home depot with three outlets at the end.
 
Thanks for the replies. I think I will stick to a 12 gauge for now. I will buy sperate 25 foot cords so I can add them depending on how far the outlet is placed.
 
I was using a 14 gauge from amazon. When I bought my Master Blaster it requires a 12 gauge so I bought a 12 gauge yellow jacket from amazon. Really nice chord :)
 
If you want to run 20A over 50 ft, you need 12 gauge.
 
I have a 12 gage 50 foot long cord that worked so well I bought another one... I bought it over at Lowe's and it's very well made and unless I run over it with the mower or lose it I should have it for the rest of my life...
 
If you have a Rural King around, they sell some pretty heavy-duty stuff for a great price.:xyxthumbs:
 
CEE DOG said:
I was using a 14 gauge from amazon. When I bought my Master Blaster it requires a 12 gauge so I bought a 12 gauge yellow jacket from amazon. Really nice chord :)
Click to expand...
A 12 GA is rated for 20 amps. Most sinngle pole(i.e., 120V). are on a 15 or 20 A breaker, So Corey is right. The isquared R losses will be nominal with a 12 GA . 50 ft wont be an issue at all. Most garages and exterior sockets are on a Ground Fault Interrupt Circuitt which should protect YOU from electrical shock.
 
BobbyG said:
I have a 12 gage 50 foot long cord that worked so well I bought another one... I bought it over at Lowe's and it's very well made and unless I run over it with the mower or lose it I should have it for the rest of my life...
Click to expand...

Thank You. I am actually heading out to Lowe's to purchase an awesome Kobalt vacuum and I will also purchase some heavy duty cord.

Ted S. said:
If you have a Rural King around, they sell some pretty heavy-duty stuff for a great price.:xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

Unfortunately we dont have one in California, but my cousin from Indiana always raves about that store!

Old Tiger said:
A 12 GA is rated for 20 amps. Most sinngle pole(i.e., 120V). are on a 15 or 20 A breaker, So Corey is right. The isquared R losses will be nominal with a 12 GA . 50 ft wont be an issue at all. Most garages and exterior sockets are on a Ground Fault Interrupt Circuitt which should protect YOU from electrical shock.
Click to expand...

Do you think I should also purchase a 2 foot 12 gauge extension with a circuit breaker just in case I am plugging up in an older home? Or will that not be necessary?
 
Rav777 said:
Do you think I should also purchase a 2 foot 12 gauge extension with a circuit breaker just in case I am plugging up in an older home? Or will that not be necessary?
Click to expand...

I would be careful on just changing the 15A breaker to a 20A if the wiring to the receptacle is intended to be a 20A circuit if you are consistently using near 20A. You should calculate the load to see what you need.
 
CEE DOG said:
I was using a 14 gauge from amazon. When I bought my Master Blaster it requires a 12 gauge so I bought a 12 gauge yellow jacket from amazon. Really nice chord :)
Click to expand...


This one?

513xH8iVPQL._SL500_AA300_.jpg



Amazon.com: Yellow Jacket 2885 12/3 Heavy-Duty 15-Amp SJTW Contractor Extension Cord with Lighted Ends, 100-Feet: Home Improvement

That's a pretty expensive cord!


As far as calculating your load etc..

The first thing to know is that circuits should only be loaded at 80% of the total circuit load. To help you understand the concept, if you have a 15-amp circuit, the safe operating amperage would be no greater than 12 amps. The total wattage would be 1,800 watts, meaning the safe wattage usage would be 1,440 watts.

If you have a 20-amp circuit, the safe operating amperage would be no greater than 16 amps. The total wattage would be 2,400 watts, meaning the safe wattage usage would be 1,920 watts.

On a 30-amp circuit, the safe operating amperage would be no greater than 24 amps. The total wattage would be 3,600 watts, meaning the safe wattage usage would be 2,880 watts.

To determine the wattage, you take the voltage times the amperage. Check the tags on all of your appliances for the required amperage rating. Add all of the lighting load by adding the total wattage of the light bulbs in your home. Look at the light bulbs and read the wattage that is printed on them.
 
maximus20895 said:
This one?

513xH8iVPQL._SL500_AA300_.jpg



Amazon.com: Yellow Jacket 2885 12/3 Heavy-Duty 15-Amp SJTW Contractor Extension Cord with Lighted Ends, 100-Feet: Home Improvement

That's a pretty expensive cord!


As far as calculating your load etc..

The first thing to know is that circuits should only be loaded at 80% of the total circuit load. To help you understand the concept, if you have a 15-amp circuit, the safe operating amperage would be no greater than 12 amps. The total wattage would be 1,800 watts, meaning the safe wattage usage would be 1,440 watts.

If you have a 20-amp circuit, the safe operating amperage would be no greater than 16 amps. The total wattage would be 2,400 watts, meaning the safe wattage usage would be 1,920 watts.

On a 30-amp circuit, the safe operating amperage would be no greater than 24 amps. The total wattage would be 3,600 watts, meaning the safe wattage usage would be 2,880 watts.

To determine the wattage, you take the voltage times the amperage. Check the tags on all of your appliances for the required amperage rating. Add all of the lighting load by adding the total wattage of the light bulbs in your home. Look at the light bulbs and read the wattage that is printed on them.
Click to expand...

The 50 ft one is $41. Home Depot has some for just a little bit more.
 
Max, that looks like it but I bought the 25 ft for 28$
 
I own two of these from Prime Wire and Cable. They are the Bull Dog Tough 50ft cords. The item number is LT511930 and they are 10/3 cables. I started using them at work, a rock quarry and they are the ONLY cables we can leave in the sun, rain, weather year round on the back of a service truck and they survive. The best cord my company or I have ever owned. Here are a few specs...

Features
•Water & Oil Resistant
•Flame Retardant
•Ultra Flexible
•Abrasion Resistant
•Nickel-Coated Brass Blades Resist Corrosion
•Flexible Temperature Range (-58F - +221F)
•Primelight® Indicator Light
•Lifetime Warranty
 
Also.. I say get two 50ft cords if you go with a heavy gauge. The 100ft can be a pain sometimes because of the weight as well as the extra cord being coiled up somewhere.
 
put me down for 3 25' extentions...two for our shampooer and one for the polisher. I have heard it is easier on motors if they can get the full power they need.
 
the Yellow Jacket is the best extension cord I have ever used. It does cost more but it's really flexible and the cover is smooth/glossy so it cleans up easily. it's supposed to be chemical resistant to a bunch of things so it will last. I've had mine for around 5years and it's still in great condition.
 
Thank you everyone for your replies. After doing some research I am going to purchase 12 gauge cords since I dont think I will need them longer than 100 feet
 
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