100 ft 240v RV cable for garage heater?

[Vash0164]

Hi, I'm looking to run a 100ft 240v rv cable from my dryer connection in the basement to my detached garage. The garage is ~80 ft from the outlet. This cable will be used to connect a 240v garage heater that I'll attach a dryer plug to. I plan on plugging / unplugging this every time I work in the garage. So far, this seems to be the cheapest/easiest option compared to buying a heater and getting a 240v line installed into the garage.

1. Is this a workable solution?

2. Will a harbor freight quality 100ft rv cable suffice or will I need to look into a higher quality solution?

3. If I do need a higher quality solution (regarding cable choice), what would those options be?

Thanks!

 

[kd3pc]

quality cable in this case means sufficient size conductors, with adequate insulation and minimal voltage drop to deliver current to your heater.

This cable should be protected from varmints, door closings, driving/walking on and so on.

Need the label or information from the heater to get you more.

 

[Vash0164]

quality cable in this case means sufficient size conductors, with adequate insulation and minimal voltage drop to deliver current to your heater.

This cable should be protected from varmints, door closings, driving/walking on and so on.

Need the label or information from the heater to get you more.

This is the heater is a Comfort Zone CZ220 Fan-Forced Ceiling Mount Heater with Dual Knob Controls: up to 5k watts. 240v.

 

[Randy in Maine]

I would get a real electrician to run a new master cable from the home box to the shop master box. I have 100 amps of 240 volts to my shop counting the voltage drop. Mine runs underground in a 2" Sch 80 pvc conduit. A serious meat cable.

Machines do not like to be shorted the correct operating voltage or they die early.

 

[dcg9381]

100ft rv cable, I'm assuming - that you're talking about 10ga (30A) RV cable.
Copper, 10GA, 100 feet, say 17 amps of 120 or 240, you're under 3% voltage loss, so OK.

Again, my assumption is 17 amps for that heater.

30A RV cable is wired 120V - it's 3 conductor. You could wire it without a neutral, but depends on what type of heater you're using.

Another option would be a propane heater install with a 100lb propane tank... It's a little more "stand alone".

 

[Bert_]

An electric heater could care less about voltage drop. His is even rated 208-230v because of this. You'll get less heat but you won't damage the heater.

An RV cord isn't really a good choice. An RV cord is either 30 amp 120 or 50 amp 240. You will end up having to cut the ends off and put your own on.

 

[purplezr2]

I just bought a roll of wire in the correct gauge with the right ends and made my own when I need to have a temporary garage heat with electric prior to getting my heater installed.

 

[Falcon67]

Again, my assumption is 17 amps for that heater.

My 5kW heater pulls 21A running.

 

[dcg9381]

Which is still fine for his project, but appreciate the more accurate estimate.