Electrical question

[preslove]

So, we bought an electric mower that is rated 12 AMP & it needs a 100' extension cord to reach the entire yard. The thing is, any 100' extension cord that is above 10 AMP costs over 35 bucks at Lowes.

What would happen if we just put together two 50' extension cords that are rated at 13 AMPs? Would a 100' 10 amp cord damage the mower or be dangerous to the house?

 

[Gibson486]

just make sure the grass is not wet when you mow.

 

[BigJ]

You'll wind up damaging the cords and possibly starting a fire. The cords are not physically rated for the amperage at the length.

That being said, the likelihood of the above happening is slim (the fire part, you will damage the cords though). But there is a chance, and if anything serious results from it, you can kiss your ass goodbye because your homeowners insurance will not cover it.

 

[mugs]

2 50 ft 13 amp extension cords != 1 100 ft 13 amp extension cord.

 

[Modelworks]

Two cords will be fine as long as both cords are above the needed current.
Do not use a 10A cord for something that requires 12A. You risk melting the wires in the cord.
Always go over what you need for a cord. If the mower says 12A, I would go 14A, especially on the longer cords. Current is going to drop on the smaller wires over distance.

 

[Vette73]

Look for a 14ga wire cord. The ones you have are probable 16ga-18ga and will not work correctly.

Here is what you need...

http://www.amazon.com/Advanced...&qid=1219697257&sr=1-3


or


http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-...&qid=1219697257&sr=1-1



Lowes should have something like this. Or you can run a 12ga 50' and then add a 14ga 50' as well. But 14 is the min.

 

[LTC8K6]

If the mower slows down, and it will from the voltage drop, the cord needs to be a bigger gauge.

If the cord gets hot, it's too small.

For a 100' run, you'll need 12 gauge minimum and that's pushing it, imo.

 

[preslove]

Thanks for the replies. So, if I get a 50' 14 amp extension and add it to the 13 amp one I have now, is that going to be a problem? I definitely don't want to start a fire. Is what BigJ said at all likely?

 

[Schfifty Five]

So how much are you actually saving by buying 2 50' cords?

 

[Mark R]

You are unlikely to cause a fire by using 2 50 foot cables.

However, the mower may run like crap - and in extreme cases blow fuses/trip breakers, or possibly overheat the motor. Unlikely to do much harm to try it and see what happens.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: BigJ
You'll wind up damaging the cords and possibly starting a fire. The cords are not physically rated for the amperage at the length.

That being said, the likelihood of the above happening is slim (the fire part, you will damage the cords though). But there is a chance, and if anything serious results from it, you can kiss your ass goodbye because your homeowners insurance will not cover it.

I dunno about that. I would think most home owners would cover it.

 

[preslove]

Originally posted by: Schfifty Five
So how much are you actually saving by buying 2 50' cords?

I would have saved $20 or $22, but I decided to go ahead and return the 50' cord and get a 13 amp 100' cord.

Thanks for all the replies, guys.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: Mark R
You are unlikely to cause a fire by using 2 50 foot cables.

However, the mower may run like crap - and in extreme cases blow fuses/trip breakers, or possibly overheat the motor. Unlikely to do much harm to try it and see what happens.

yeah, i would be more worried about a wet lawn and having water find its way between the two joints of the ends of the cables.

 

[Mark R]

Originally posted by: Gibson486
yeah, i would be more worried about a wet lawn and having water find its way between the two joints of the ends of the cables.

That's why residual current breakers were invented. If you're not using one for any outdoor appliance, you're doing something wrong.

Still, it's not difficult to wrap the join up in baggies,

 

[Rubycon]

This sums it up nicely.

 

[edro]

Wire ampacity varies greatly on the application.
They are rated for worst case.

You would be fine with the smaller one...
It MIGHT get warmer than a larger version, but as long as you are not leaving it plugged in overnight, and it has plenty of ventilation around it, you will probably be fine.

 

[preslove]

Damn, you guys are making me regret getting the expensive cord. Start telling me about all the dangers of running a lower rated cord to make me feel better

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

never mind.

Get eh 13 amp rated chrods.

 

[JohnCU]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
never mind.

Get eh 13 amp rated chrods.

lol, i was about to reply damnit, nice edit

 

[Elstupido]

It's all about voltage drop and load, which are related, the higher the load, the greater the voltage drop.

If you use too small a cord you will end up with low voltage to the mower, which is not good for the mower, overheating etc.

For 100 feet i would suggest at least a #12 cord.....or better yet a #10 cord.

 

[nonameo]

You need wireless power.

 

[Leros]

Electric mower sounds like a pain in the neck. You have to not run over the cord.

 

[JohnCU]

i need to find that pic of the redneck hauling a push mower around with his 4 wheeler.

 

[Twofootputt]

Originally posted by: Elstupido
It's all about voltage drop and load, which are related, the higher the load, the greater the voltage drop.

If you use too small a cord you will end up with low voltage to the mower, which is not good for the mower, overheating etc.

For 100 feet i would suggest at least a #12 cord.....or better yet a #10 cord.

Echo this. A 12ga cord probably will have a voltage drop in the neighborhood of 4-6% over 100'. This will allow the mower to operate efficiently. Your power supplier probably has a plus or minus 10% limit on voltage at the meter channel (132V - 108V) assuming you're in the USA. You can never go wrong safetywise with too heavy wire.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Elstupido
It's all about voltage drop and load, which are related, the higher the load, the greater the voltage drop.

If you use too small a cord you will end up with low voltage to the mower, which is not good for the mower, overheating etc.

For 100 feet i would suggest at least a #12 cord.....or better yet a #10 cord.

Yep, all about total power.

I wouldn't risk it and just use a proper cord. That or wrap the cord around a stake in the middle of the yard so that it mows itself.

Also agree that at that length bigger is better.