correct cable for a 50-100' 240 extension cord

[1950coronet600hp]

I want to have a 240v extension cord to be able to get to all points in the yard, what gauge flexible cable should i run for a 50' or 100' length? and where can i get it cheaply?

 

[nate379]

To power what?

 

[1950coronet600hp]

yeah that would help wouldn't it? at max 50 amp welder, normal usage about 25-30 amps but I do want to be able to weld thick steel so 50 amps.

 

[pl_silverado]

for a 50' cord 8/3 soow will be plenty, for a 100' cord, id jump down to 6/3 soow.

maybe two 50' cords would work for you, one 8/3 and one 6/3? 100 feet of 6/3 is $ 250-275, 100 feet of 8/3 probably $ 175-200.

 

[1950coronet600hp]

well i just checked the prices of cord, its pretty expensive, would 8/3 be okay for a 75' length?

 

[Sureshot]

Depends on the duty cycle as well. Do you need this for temporary such as building a fence or an everyday item?

 

[1950coronet600hp]

its for my welder, so 50/50 duty cycle i suppose for large projects little ones 10/90

 

[1950coronet600hp]

so where is a good place to look for 6/3 in a 50' length? cheapest so far that i have found is on ebay for 119.95 with free shipping so thats 2.40 a foot which seems cheap, but does anyone have any other suggestions to get it cheaper?

 

[mrb]

where are you located? Dont buy the premade welder extensions that are made with PVC insulated cord (STOW type) it melts when anything hot touches it. You want rubber cord which is SOOW type

 

[1950coronet600hp]

yeah that is what i have been searching for is soow cable

 

[pl_silverado]

cant really find it cheap anywhere anymore, just have to pony up the cash and be done with it.

years ago i could get it for $ 1.20 a foot, but those days are long gone.

 

[Sureshot]

Did you check on 8/2? I think that would be plenty for what you are doing. When I did my "tabs" on my steel fence posts I just used 14/2.
By 50 amps are you talking the welder at 50 or 50 amps input at 220v with the welder at 200 amps?

 

[mrb]

Did you check on 8/2? I think that would be plenty for what you are doing. When I did my "tabs" on my steel fence posts I just used 14/2.
By 50 amps are you talking the welder at 50 or 50 amps input at 220v with the welder at 200 amps?

he would be using 8/3 or 6/3. In cable used in buildings such as romex the ground is not counted. In portable cord such as that used for a welder extension the ground is counted. 8/3 has black, white, green. 8/2 would have only black and white.

DO NOT make welder extensions (or any other extension cords for that matter) from romex. use the right cord.

 

[nate379]

The cord my welder is on is about 125ft long, 8/3. I have been meaning to make it 2 cords, but it's low on "the list".

Now keep in mind that 50 amp run for a welder, 10 gauge wire is fine, so the 8 gauge is overkill... AND the fact that my welder on max power only pulls 23 amps.

 

[theoldwizard1]

where are you located? Dont buy the premade welder extensions that are made with PVC insulated cord (STOW type) it melts when anything hot touches it. You want rubber cord which is SOOW type

SJOOW is acceptable also (300V insulation rating versus 600V), but most place don't discount it.

Now keep in mind that 50 amp run for a welder, 10 gauge wire is fine ...

And if you limit it to 50' and keep the duty cycle below 50/50 you can probably get by with 12 gauge.

 

[mrb]

SJOOW is acceptable also (300V insulation rating versus 600V), but most place don't discount it.

they dont make 8/3 or 6/3 SJOOW, stops at #10

 

[pl_silverado]

so what did you end up doing? you never answered the question of which machine your trying to power with this cord.

i just picked up 100ft of 8/3 SOOW for $ 160

 

[Mattlt]

Just an idea, if you happen to live in farm country... Keep an eye on farm auctions. Many silos use an electric unloader, with a cord long enough to reach to the top of the silo, then back down the inside to run the unloader. And since most silos are 40-80' tall, well, you get the idea as to the length and size of cable necessary to run a fairly large motor on the unloader. (Most unloaders use a 7.5 or 10HP motor)

Unfortunately, there are getting to be fewer and fewer dairy farms that use vertical silos anymore. Most of them have gone to pit silos.