How to determine PROPER extension cord length...

[edprush]

I bought an electric leaf blower/vacuum (12 amp) and I need to know how many feet (and what guage) of extension cord I can use and still safely operate it on a 120volt circuit.

I'd prefer not to fry myself or the leaf blower/vacuum.

 

[EagleKeeper]

I have run 3 50' outdoor extensions cords together for a weed-wacker with no problems.

 

[SecretShadow]

Ask this guy. Warren Beach knows all about extension cords.

 

[thescreensavers]

just buy an outdoor heavy duty 100Feet extension coard

 

[lokiju]

Yarr matey!!

You don't need some exact measurement, just look at where you'll use it, guesstimate it's length and buy a cord that's a little extra longer than you might need just to be safe.


Arrrr!!

 

[Number1]

Originally posted by: edprush
I bought an electric leaf blower/vacuum (12 amp) and I need to know how many feet (and what guage) of extension cord I can use and still safely operate it on a 120volt circuit.

I'd prefer not to fry myself or the leaf blower/vacuum.

Return it and get a gas powered one.

 

[mugs]

If you want to use a long length of cord, (100 feet) you ought to get a heavy duty (10 gauge) extension cord. The maximum length of the cord you should use is determined by the gauge of the cord.

 

[tyler811]

Originally posted by: Number1

Originally posted by: edprush
I bought an electric leaf blower/vacuum (12 amp) and I need to know how many feet (and what guage) of extension cord I can use and still safely operate it on a 120volt circuit.

I'd prefer not to fry myself or the leaf blower/vacuum.

Return it and get a gas powered one.

True I had an electric trimmer and the next summer went out and bought a rechargeable one. Saves me ten minutes and a world of frustration because I am not messng with a cord.

 

[Number1]

anny electrical extention cords will be rated to provide enough current for any single 120 VAC appliance. The trick is to use one long enough cord.

 

[edprush]

I'm looking for cold hard numbers.

No one has mentioned voltage drop or increased amperage due to extension cord lengths.

I need about 300 feet of extension cord.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: edprush
I'm looking for cold hard numbers.

No one has mentioned voltage drop or increased amperage due to extension cord lengths.

I need about 300 feet of extension cord.

http://www.rv.net/forums/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/CFB/1/Tid/619714.cfm

For 100 feet, you want at least 14 gauge.

 

[tfinch2]

First mistake, buying an electric leaf blower.

 

[platinumike]

you shouldve just bought a gas blower man, probably wouldve broke even after all this cord nonsense.

 

[waggy]

300ft? if you need that much why buy a electric?

 

[radioouman]

If it starts to heat up while blowing, you are using the wrong gauge.

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: waggy
300ft? if you need that much why buy a electric?

The only leaf blower that I can find that allows you to 'exhaust' your debris/clippings into a huge trash can was an electric blower. The gas blowers all exhuaust into a small bag. I would have to empty that every couple of minutes.

 

[JRich]

This might get you started: Clicky

 

[woowoo]

300'?
best bet is at least 10 ga or 8 ga.
Look on the back of the package.
Most extention cords have size charts printed on the package

Those cords will cost more than the blower......

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

gas ftw

 

[brxndxn]

Originally posted by: edprush
I'm looking for cold hard numbers.

No one has mentioned voltage drop or increased amperage due to extension cord lengths.

I need about 300 feet of extension cord.

300ft? I'd say use 10 guage.. or maybe 100 feet of it can be 12 guage

 

[BigJ]

A good rule is: every 100 feet, you have an volatage drop. So for every 100 feet, you need to go to two gauge thicker wire (14-12-10-8). Since it's just 300 feet, you should be able to squeak by with 10ga. If you're running say 350', see if they don't have an 8ga.

 

[JRich]

Originally posted by: brxndxn

Originally posted by: edprush
I'm looking for cold hard numbers.

No one has mentioned voltage drop or increased amperage due to extension cord lengths.

I need about 300 feet of extension cord.

300ft? I'd say use 10 guage.. or maybe 100 feet of it can be 12 guage

I'm not even going to say what is wrong with that statement.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: edprush

I need about 300 feet of extension cord.

300 ft !!!!!!!!!!!!

go with gas

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: BigJ
A good rule is: every 100 feet, you have an amperage drop. So for every 100 feet, you need to go to two gauge thicker wire (14-12-10-8). Since it's just 300 feet, you should be able to squeak by with 10ga. If you're running say 350', see if they don't have an 8ga.

Jesus, a battery cable for a leaf blower???

Yard over 200 feet, get a gas blower.

Who would want to roll up all that cord anyway?

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: BigJ
A good rule is: every 100 feet, you have an amperage drop. So for every 100 feet, you need to go to two gauge thicker wire (14-12-10-8). Since it's just 300 feet, you should be able to squeak by with 10ga. If you're running say 350', see if they don't have an 8ga.

Jesus, a battery cable for a leaf blower???

Yard over 200 feet, get a gas blower.

Who would want to roll up all that cord anyway?

Actually excuse me, it's a voltage drop for every 100 feet. This is the rule of thumb when running copper wire in houses, so I'd assume it applies here also.