Cord Reel Maximum Mounting Height?

[MFortie]

Thinking about mounting a cord reel between the purlins on my red iron building over the four-post lift for power. Looking at a Reelcraft L4525 123 x, with flying leads.

The Reelcraft installation instructions state the maximum mounting height is 16'.

Any idea why?

My top-most purlins are about 22' AFF and the reel would be directly over the lift column with the motor/pump. I'm planning two sections of Unistrut spanning and bolted to the purlins and mounting the reel to the strut. I'll use a cord stop to keep cord from retracting any more than 8' -10' (+/-) AFF. I plan to run 12/2 MC to the panel with a 20A GFCI breaker.

I'll either add a single gang pendant style device box/receptacle to cord or a 20A twist lock receptacle and change out the lift plug to a 20A twist lock. Leaning towards the device box so I can plug a trouble light into it as well.

Thoughts?

TIA

 

[aggie113]

No clue why it would have any max height. As long as you can do the math with the cable length inside it and being able to get to it when you need it, it should be able to be as high as you want it.

 

[Mr_fixit]

Maybe it has something to do with the amount of tension on the spring, all the time, just sitting there.

 

[m32825]

Maybe beyond that point the spring has a hard time retracting the cord?

 

[Lonnies Performance]

Yes all of the above.... Too high & it will need a little help getting it to retract.

Keep in mind if this has a circuit breaker reset button on it, you will need a ladder every time you trip it.

I have a Zilla reel & had to build a pole to reset the breaker.

 

[nadogail]

How far are you willing to reach for the reset button?

 

[The Cobbler]

it might be due to the weight of the hose on retracting and holding it in place once retracted (with added safety factor)

 

[Dustball]

Electrons have to fight gravity to get up that high so you'll have reduced power available to you.

 

[sberry]

I would hang a simple cord before I added equipment. What's the point of the reel?

 

[sberry]

I would hang a simple cord before I added equipment. What's the point of the reel?

 

[MFortie]

I would hang a simple cord before I added equipment. What's the point of the reel?

The reel was the suggestion of one of my wife’s EEs (she co-owns an engineering firm).

So, your suggestion is a twist lock receptacle mounted on the purlin with a twist lock cord hanging down? With this type of strain relief:

Or would you suggest a strain relief connector directly to the device box? Like this:

Either way, that's damn practical and a heck of a lot cheaper!

 

[sberry]

Let a couple others point out some how to but,,,, its wayyyyy cheaper, no moving parts to fuss over. I might use a common plug and a tie and then to a box mounted on the unit for extra 120V, might even use an equipment whip, the advantage of a plug is legal disconnect. If I really knew where it was gonna sit might even grove the floor, get rid of all the overhead.
As for EE, some are really great, some got to add every gadget they see. I like gadgets but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, tended to use them more earlier in my career, it aint so above me to use some cords today and rely on the highly thought out system evolved with the use of cord and plug. I wanted to rewire some additional lights the other day, it was tempting to get the **** out and then I realize a couple lamp cords gave me every feature I needed. They are not hidden, they plug in, use the 2 way on one. So easy to use power strips for additional switch lights for some things. Good way to prove it out. If there is any recepts involved the circuits need to be limited to 20A.
My bud has a 4 post, he hook 25 ft 16 cord on to test it when he set up, been there for 30 yrs.

 

[MFortie]

Thanks. I'm using an extension cord also for the moment (couple of years now). I'm just tired of almost tripping on it, rolling my tool cart or engine hoist over it, etc. No sawcutting though -- I'd prefer the O/H drop.

 

[sberry]

So, your suggestion is

It aint all that hard to hang up a cord that is laying on the floor. Simply hang it up. Thats kind of what I was getting at, simple first.
But I did a saw job a while back, made 2 cuts thin diamond blade 4 1/2 and air chisel it deep enough for a 1/2 pipe. Ready grout it back in. Didnt cut all the way thru.

 

[sberry]

If you are going to wire it in or have multiple outlets should have a 12 cord. I have a couple drops for light stands from a 22 ft ceiling too, use a stock 25 cord, have it tied in thimble fashion and plug in to an outlet. I use 12 as there is a possibility of 3 way outlets, could really be 14 if the outlets were power strip but,,, I just bought 2 cords.
Buy a 12 with 3 way on the end.

 

[mobetta]

It aint all that hard to hang up a cord that is laying on the floor. Simply hang it up. Thats kind of what I was getting at, simple first.
But I did a saw job a while back, made 2 cuts thin diamond blade 4 1/2 and air chisel it deep enough for a 1/2 pipe. Ready grout it back in. Didnt cut all the way thru.

Theres a saw for that

the Husqvarna cut n break
2 blades an inch apart makes a perfect groove for some emt