Chiller...no extention cord?

[Anonymous]

So, guess what came in the mail today!

The instructions say, as lots of instructions do, to not use an extension cord with the chiller. Seems silly to me - get a extension cord rated for that kind of load and you should be fine. Seems to me like the company CYA for people who use underrated extension cords.
However, I thought I would check in with RDO first.

What say you?

 

[Anonymous]

I have little experience with chillers Rich, but from my vast experience with plugging things in, I think you should be fine. Just the company covering their rear end as you already guessed is my take.

 

[trido]

You hit the nail on the head. That would be like a company telling me not to use an extenion cord on my table saw without consulting an electrition first. Simply make sure your extension cord is not a smaller guage than the cord on the Chiller. If you were using a 60 foot cord you may want to use a larger guage due to power loss. In your case I think you should be fine.

 

[Anonymous]

Well, there is a difference between using an extension cord on a table saw, which only get used occasionally, and using one on a chiller, which runs continuously.

Extension cords are really designed for temporary use, not permanent wiring.

If it's not too much trouble, I'd go ahead and relocate an outlet for your chiller to plug into without an extension cord.

Better safe than sorry.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

Well, there is a difference between using an extension cord on a table saw, which only get used occasionally, and using one on a chiller, which runs continuously.

Extension cords are really designed for temporary use, not permanent wiring.

If it's not too much trouble, I'd go ahead and relocate an outlet for your chiller to plug into without an extension cord.

Better safe than sorry.

Louey

Relocating an outlet is always too much trouble. :?
I'm not disputing what you're saying, for what I know about electricity can fit in a thimble. Just for the sake of argument though, what's the difference if he used the cord full time? Assuming the cord is rated for the load, and the end voltage is up to snuff, electrons traveling through a wire is electrons traveling through a wire no?
I've used the large gauge cords for years with no problems, but again I may be ignorant to potential problems neverthless.

Jim

 

[bleedingthought]

Also, what if the extension cord was the same gauge as the wire for the outlet you would relocate?

 

[Anonymous]

Jim wrote

what's the difference if he used the cord full time? Assuming the cord is rated for the load, and the end voltage is up to snuff, electrons traveling through a wire is electrons traveling through a wire no?
I've used the large gauge cords for years with no problems, but again I may be ignorant to potential problems neverthless.

Given your assumptions, there really isn't anything but "potential" for problems.

The connection at the extension cord itself is probably the biggest potential problem. I'm not saying it is really a big problem, but that is most likely where a fire could be started, if say, water was spilled on it.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

I talked to an electrician friend. He says as long as the cords gauge is the same or larger in a 20 foot run there should be little to no difference between using it and a receptacle. After all, a receptacle is just a more permanent extension cord, with choices of wire gauge in the run.

I agree with Louey that the problem point would be the actual connection between the chiller and the x cord and its getting wet, but I would be tacking the cord to the ceiling in the fish 'room' above and away from the water. All my cords down there are up above the water.

I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Anonymous]

It really depends on how much it's pulling Rich. How many amps we looking at? Louy 100% correct though, extension cords are not rated for permanet installation regardless of size of load to guage of wire. Extension cords and multi-outlet strips are the largest causes of fire among aquarists. Having seen 2 people burn their house to the ground, and a few others toasting the room the tank was in, I'll stick to what is legal and safe

Being this installation will be in your basement and you won't be seeing the cord that often, it's even more imperatize you do this right

 

[Anonymous]

Jim wrote

what's the difference if he used the cord full time? Assuming the cord is rated for the load, and the end voltage is up to snuff, electrons traveling through a wire is electrons traveling through a wire no?
I've used the large gauge cords for years with no problems, but again I may be ignorant to potential problems neverthless.

Given your assumptions, there really isn't anything but "potential" for problems.

The connection at the extension cord itself is probably the biggest potential problem. I'm not saying it is really a big problem, but that is most likely where a fire could be started, if say, water was spilled on it.

Louey

I see, thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

It really depends on how much it's pulling Rich. How many amps we looking at? Louy 100% correct though, extension cords are not rated for permanet installation regardless of size of load to guage of wire. Extension cords and multi-outlet strips are the largest causes of fire among aquarists. Having seen 2 people burn their house to the ground, and a few others toasting the room the tank was in, I'll stick to what is legal and safe

Being this installation will be in your basement and you won't be seeing the cord that often, it's even more imperatize you do this right

Do you really think if I ran some Romex form the current outlet to the location of the chiller it would really be somehow inherently more safe than an extension cord?

 

[Christeon]

I'm no expert but I think it would be safer to run the wiring in the wall to a boxed plug next to the chiller. Extention cords are made from stranded wire not solid like your house wire. Wiring has an insulation class in addition to the wire guage size to keep in mind.

I'm sure if you used a high quality over rated extension cord, that was as short as possible and kept the connections up high, dry and dust free it would work fine. If this is a permanent solution for you I'd pack dielectric grease in the connections as well.

Another option would be to rewire the chiller with a longer cord and high quality plug.

 

[Anonymous]

It really depends on how much it's pulling Rich. How many amps we looking at? Louy 100% correct though, extension cords are not rated for permanet installation regardless of size of load to guage of wire. Extension cords and multi-outlet strips are the largest causes of fire among aquarists. Having seen 2 people burn their house to the ground, and a few others toasting the room the tank was in, I'll stick to what is legal and safe

Being this installation will be in your basement and you won't be seeing the cord that often, it's even more imperatize you do this right

Do you really think if I ran some Romex form the current outlet to the location of the chiller it would really be somehow inherently more safe than an extension cord?

If properly installed, heck yes some great bullets from above

Solid vs stranded (like I said in the phone)
substandard insulation
plug vs screwed in connection

If you like, I will do it for you this weekend or next week some time :lol:

In your defense your chiller isn't going to run often nor long, so your probably fine. I just hate rigging things, you know that

 

[Anonymous]

It really depends on how much it's pulling Rich. How many amps we looking at? Louy 100% correct though, extension cords are not rated for permanet installation regardless of size of load to guage of wire. Extension cords and multi-outlet strips are the largest causes of fire among aquarists. Having seen 2 people burn their house to the ground, and a few others toasting the room the tank was in, I'll stick to what is legal and safe

Being this installation will be in your basement and you won't be seeing the cord that often, it's even more imperatize you do this right

Do you really think if I ran some Romex form the current outlet to the location of the chiller it would really be somehow inherently more safe than an extension cord?

If properly installed, heck yes some great bullets from above

Solid vs stranded (like I said in the phone)
substandard insulation
plug vs screwed in connection

If you like, I will do it for you this weekend or next week some time :lol:

In your defense your chiller isn't going to run often nor long, so your probably fine. I just hate rigging things, you know that

You have seen my system under the house and you dare mention the last sentence!

 

[Anonymous]

I could just make a romex extension cord!

 

[bleedingthought]

Make an extension cord out of 12-2 wire that you'd run a new 20A box with!!!

 

[Anonymous]

Romex is only rated for concealed locations, such as inside walls. So making a cord out of romex with an outlet box hanging on the end is not a proper installation. In fact, it is worse than just using an extension cord.

Here's another interesting tid-bit: Did you know that extension cords and plug strips are not allowed in commercial buildings? I seen this enforced by local authorities. In other words, in commercial buildings every plug must plug into a permanent receptacle outlet.

Extension cords and plug strips are not good permanent wiring devices.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

It really depends on how much it's pulling Rich. How many amps we looking at? Louy 100% correct though, extension cords are not rated for permanet installation regardless of size of load to guage of wire. Extension cords and multi-outlet strips are the largest causes of fire among aquarists. Having seen 2 people burn their house to the ground, and a few others toasting the room the tank was in, I'll stick to what is legal and safe

Being this installation will be in your basement and you won't be seeing the cord that often, it's even more imperatize you do this right

Do you really think if I ran some Romex form the current outlet to the location of the chiller it would really be somehow inherently more safe than an extension cord?

If properly installed, heck yes some great bullets from above

Solid vs stranded (like I said in the phone)
substandard insulation
plug vs screwed in connection

If you like, I will do it for you this weekend or next week some time :lol:

In your defense your chiller isn't going to run often nor long, so your probably fine. I just hate rigging things, you know that

You have seen my system under the house and you dare mention the last sentence!

:lol: Yah :lol:

 

[jahorgos]

I talked to an electrician friend. He says as long as the cords gauge is the same or larger in a 20 foot run there should be little to no difference between using it and a receptacle. After all, a receptacle is just a more permanent extension cord, with choices of wire gauge in the run.

I agree with Louey that the problem point would be the actual connection between the chiller and the x cord and its getting wet, but I would be tacking the cord to the ceiling in the fish 'room' above and away from the water. All my cords down there are up above the water.

I'll let you know how it goes.

This is correct, if you are worried about moisture or something of that sorts just put a baggie over the connection and rap tape around it. May not look appealing but atleast you know if water some how hits it you will be safe. Of course I'm not saying submerge the cord.

Find yourself an appliance extension cord and that should work perfect for you.

 

[trido]

Find yourself an appliance extension cord and that should work perfect for you.

Or you could wait until june when I come down to visit and Ill hard wire it for you if Gresham doesn't get to it first. I'd like to come by to visit again.