Making Exterior Extension Cords

[jake26]

Last year, I installed a few weather resistant outlets (with some help) around my deck so I can plug in an electric bird bath and my grill. Now, I need to make short extension cords for each item (around 2' or 3' long).

The shortest cord I can find for exterior cords are 6' or longer.

What do I need to make my own exterior cord? Should I just buy an existing one, cut it up and install replacement plugs?

Sorry about the knob question.

 

[mrb]

water gets in the replacement plugs and they corrode. just live with the 6ft cords.

 

[wssix99]

Electrical outlets are spaced inside homes to be reached by any 6' cord, so that's a common minimum measurement. The only cords I've come in to contact with that are heavy duty and less than 6' are "Air Conditioner Cords," but I'm pretty sure they aren't approved for outdoor use.

You may just have to zip tie a 6 footer. BTW - Do you have a special outlet cover so you can keep the cord plugged in? (A normal faceplate will leak if you have the door open.

 

[buzz4041]

Go to your local box store and get a piece of 14/3 type SO cord the length you want and pick up a couple ends and make it.

 

[mrb]

Go to your local box store and get a piece of 14/3 type SO cord the length you want and pick up a couple ends and make it.

the ends will get water in them and corrode.

 

[Greatbear]

You can find weatherproof plugs and caps for outdoor cords at Lowes or HD. These are yellow in color, with rubber outer sheathes. Not cheap, and not truly waterproof unless mated to a matching plug or receptacle. Since the end of the cord that has the receptacle is most likely to be laying on the ground or deck, simply cut the cord at the point where you'd want the plug, install a decent weather resistant plug on that end, and plug that into the receptacle on your deck. By code, the outside receptacle should have an "in-use" weatherproof receptacle cover equipped with a hood to shield the open receptacle and plug from rain when in use.

For the end on the ground, squeeze a bit of white lithium grease into each receptacle hole to retard corrosion, and use rubber sealing tape around the plug and socket ends to keep moisture out. This assumes your extension cord as well as your bird bath and grill have molded-on plugs for best effect.

 

[rowbow41]

Put the receptacle on a stake above the ground. Plug the corded item into the receptacle. Cover with a heavy plastic bag (Zip-Lock) and close or tape the open end shut.

 

[Roots]

They make extension cords less than 6' for stereo equipment and other stuff, Amazon.com sells a brand called Ziotek which I've used in the past.

 

[malibu101]

Look here- http://ericson.thomasnet.com/category/ectors-plugs-connectors-wiring-devices-receptacles

In particular look at the Perma-Grip Perma-Tite 2. They will not get water in them. Heck the Perma-Grip 2's could probably be underwater.

 

[Alchymist]

Buy a 10 or 12 foot (whatever length needed) extension cord with a molded plug, cut off the receptacle end,and replace the appliance cord with it. Extension cords not needed then.

 

[nehog]

the ends will get water in them and corrode.

Which will happen to any cheap imported extension cord, even with molded on ends. I have a whole box of cut off ends that have failed--I just replace 'em with better quality ends.

But I agree with most of the posts that say just zip-tie a six ft cord to make it shorter--best fix IMHO.

 

[dittle fart around]

Buy a 10 or 12 foot (whatever length needed) extension cord with a molded plug, cut off the receptacle end,and replace the appliance cord with it. Extension cords not needed then.

I'm all for this one. Replace the existing cord on the birdbath and grill with longer cords made to length out of exterior extension cords.

 

[Mattlt]

How about some old computer cords? I'm in the business so I seem to have oodles of them lying around. Cut the female end off to the length needed.

Be sure to check the continuity on them as it has been noted that the plugs and wires may not always correspond to the correct color.

 

[rlitman]

How about some old computer cords? I'm in the business so I seem to have oodles of them lying around. Cut the female end off to the length needed.

Be sure to check the continuity on them as it has been noted that the plugs and wires may not always correspond to the correct color.

They do. Computer cords use the IEC international color code of blue (neutral), brown (line), green/yellow-stripe (ground). They're often shielded, but that's not a big deal.

Oh, and don't use lithium grease in connectors. Use dielectric grease. That's what it is for. You can even fill up a connector with it (grease the screws before you put the wires in, grease the wires, tighten, grease inside the housing, then grease the socket). It's messy, but it will stop corrosion.

 

[jeffmoss26]

We always used good SJO or SO cable and Hubbell or Leviton connectors on our extension cords at school. I ran sound for indoor and outdoor events.

 

[whatuusay1]

Monoprice has power extensions in short lengths..

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10228&cs_id=1022802

 

[Jack Olsen]

Why not hardwire both of them?

Or at least replace their existing cords with waterproof ones that are 2'-3' longer.

I don't see the need for an extension cord's disconnectability for those items. Do they move around?

 

[GreyOwl]

How about some old computer cords? I'm in the business so I seem to have oodles of them lying around. Cut the female end off to the length needed.

Be sure to check the continuity on them as it has been noted that the plugs and wires may not always correspond to the correct color.

Most computer cords I've seen are only 18-22 wire gauge inside, pretty light duty for this if you ask me.

Charles

 

[rlitman]

Most computer cords I've seen are only 18-22 wire gauge inside, pretty light duty for this if you ask me.

22, no way.
They're usually 16, sometimes 18.
The good ones though are 14, and sometimes even 12.

 

[buzz4041]

the ends will get water in them and corrode.

Wow I have been making cords with SO cord for 30 years and have never had this issue.

 

[mrb]

Wow I have been making cords with SO cord for 30 years and have never had this issue.

do you leave them outside in one place 24/7 ?

 

[z28toz06]

I don't see why u couldn't fill the completed plug with rtv before you slide the cover on the end. wipe whatever oozes out and let it dry 24 hours before you use it.

 

[GreyOwl]

22, no way.
They're usually 16, sometimes 18.
The good ones though are 14, and sometimes even 12.

I guess I should have looked before I typed that, I meant 20 not 22
Of the cords I have in use here,
3 @ 20ga
6@ 18ga
2@ 16ga
2 No marking other than manufacturer

Charles

 

[buzz4041]

do you leave them outside in one place 24/7 ?

As a matter of fact I do. As with anything outdoors it will need maintenance over time. I do use a dab of penetrox on all my connections.

 

[brett09]

I made a extension cord a few years ago and pumped some clear silicon into the ends before assembling. More for shock resistance than water resistance. I'm not sure if this is dangerous, but I haven't had any problems.

 

[rlitman]

Clear silicone isn't conductive, but acid curing silicones can corrode wiring over time (just like acid plumbing solder).
For example, GE silicone I is bad for metal contact, but GE silicone II is ok.

Personally, I prefer using something less permanent for corrosion resistance, like dielectric grease, or Boeshield.

Quality cord ends shouldn't need any adhesive for shock resistance anyway.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Personally, I prefer using something less permanent for corrosion resistance, like dielectric grease,

Concur.

Just use good quality plugs/receptacles and a liberal amount of dielectric grease, especially where the wires connect. Messy, but very effective.

Try to mount the receptacle/plug connection in a manner where water will drain out.

 

[George in Rancho Cordova]

You can get the whole line of Ziotek products here. The short cords & pass-thru cords are their claim to fame.

http://www.cyberguys.com/ziotek/

 

[rlitman]

Try to mount the receptacle/plug connection in a manner where water will drain out.

Exactly. If you can't guarantee that, then you should rethink where you're putting a disconnect, and maybe consider an underground splice, etc.