How to determine PROPER extension cord length...

[AbsolutDealage]

Originally posted by: 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.

I've got this one, and you can buy the vac adapter for it to exhaust into trash cans. Works like a charm.

 

[woowoo]

You would be better off buying a 250' roll of 10 ga SJO and put ends on it.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: woowoo
You would be better off buying a 250' roll of 10 ga SJO and put ends on it.

Good ol' rubber cord.

 

[AlienCraft]

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.

This is why gas models are still around.

The voltage drop mentioned would result in increased amperage so it's not an "or" situation.

Here's a cold hard number...... 31.82 That's FEET per Pound of a single conductor of #10AWG w/o insulation. You do the math to figure what the rest of the conductors, and cable fill material will total. Let's just say 300 feet of #10 will be a PITA to drAG around the yard.

Your trimmer will require more current when cutting heavier loads than running free in air
I think you'll need to feed the trimmer with an initial run of 10 ga for the first 100 feet and then you could step down so as to reduce the amount of cord you're dragging around.

 

[Fiat1]

This will tell you ALLyou need to know....

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: 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.

I know, I'm agreeing with you. He'll probably blow his breaker anyway.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: 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.

i'm no expert on leaf blowers (actually, i've never even used one) but why the hell would you be exhausting the leaves? isn't it a leaf blower???

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: 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.

i'm no expert on leaf blowers (actually, i've never even used one) but why the hell would you be exhausting the leaves? isn't it a leaf blower???

You use the blower to shoot 'em all into a corner, then an attachment goes on that sucks up the leaves and mulches 'em up a bit.

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: 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.

But the outlet is only wired with 12 guage...would that be a limitation?

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: AbsolutDealage

Originally posted by: 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.

I've got this one, and you can buy the vac adapter for it to exhaust into trash cans. Works like a charm.

Do you think vacuuming up acorns will ruin that ryobi?

 

[mugs]

Hey here's a question... why don't you just run over those dried leaves? I have a gas leaf blower and a big-ass leaf vac but I don't use either. All I do is run the leaves over with the lawn mower to chop them up and return the organic material to the soil. I'm not sure if the mulching blade will suck up those acorns you're talking about, but will they even hurt your lawn?

 

[edprush]

I don't plan to use it for leaves. I want it to inhale acorns.

 

[Fritzo]

WTF? Just sting some damn outdoor cords together to get the length you need. You're not going to get fried unless you're trying to blow leaves in a flood or something.

 

[grrl]

Originally posted by: 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.

Yeah, extension cords are the ultimate PITA.

 

[DrPizza]

Just sting some damn outdoor cords together to get the length you need. You're not going to get fried unless you're trying to blow leaves in a flood or something.

Uhhhh, how many houses burn to the ground each year because of wisdom like that?? (Not that the OP is going to suffer the same fate) But, there is a bit of knowledge necessary for selecting appropriate extension cords, especially when you're dealing with extremes (and I'd call 300 feet to be extreme.)

 

[bctbct]

300 ft???

Just buy a generator and a 12' cord.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Just sting some damn outdoor cords together to get the length you need. You're not going to get fried unless you're trying to blow leaves in a flood or something.

Uhhhh, how many houses burn to the ground each year because of wisdom like that?? (Not that the OP is going to suffer the same fate) But, there is a bit of knowledge necessary for selecting appropriate extension cords, especially when you're dealing with extremes (and I'd call 300 feet to be extreme.)

Arr, yer ship's no gonna go up in flames 'lest ye be payin' no mind to yon circuit breaker.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: jagec


Uhhhh, how many houses burn to the ground each year because of wisdom like that?? (Not that the OP is going to suffer the same fate) But, there is a bit of knowledge necessary for selecting appropriate extension cords, especially when you're dealing with extremes (and I'd call 300 feet to be extreme.)

Arr, yer ship's no gonna go up in flames 'lest ye be payin' no mind to yon circuit breaker.[/quote]

Arrrr, kinnect yerself 300 feet o dem cheap stension cords and feel da plug. Arrr

Decent site: calculator
"For most 120/240V systems using cables of adequate ampacity voltage drop is not a concern unless cable lengths are well over a hundred feet."

The
most common cause of fires from extension cords is due to improper use and/or overloading,
especially when cords have multiple outlets. Most extension cords are only rated for a maximum
of ten amps or 1200 watts. Overloading can occur when multiple devices are plugged into one cord
or when cords are ?daisy chained? (plugging multiple extension cords together).

source

"You really want to keep your wire to a shorter length for an AC or a microwave and you want to keep it to a higher gauge like a 14 or a 12 gauge," said Baldemar Ramirez. If you have to use an extension cord for something like a portable AC unit, fire department officials say a heavy gauge extension cord is a wise investment.

"A couple of extra dollars for some heavy gauge extension cords can save your life," Hernandez said.

(a quick search reveals 10-14 amps for portable units)

And, for fun, try to find a 300 foot extension cord, or alternately, a site that says daisy chaining extension cords together is okay.

 

[0roo0roo]

find a dell landfill and stock up on laptop batteries

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: bctbct
300 ft???

Just buy a generator and a 12' cord.

Very good idea!

 

[0]

get a gas blower. It'll be cheaper than buying a 300' 10awg extension cord.