Simplest answer. Voltage Drop: it's extremely unlikely you'll have the proper voltage, especially as how you're describing the setup, which will in turn raise the amperage of the load. As it's set up, you have no margin of error in the cords to handle that, they'll overheat and quite likely catch on fire or serve as a fusible link.
Electric heaters and extension cords
- Thread starter StaggeringGoat
- Start date
Simplest answer. Voltage Drop: it's extremely unlikely you'll have the proper voltage, especially as how you're describing the setup, which will in turn raise the amperage of the load. As it's set up, you have no margin of error in the cords to handle that, they'll overheat and quite likely catch on fire or serve as a fusible link.
matt151617
Well-known member
Are you also aware of the wire size coming into the shop needed to power this? You'll need at least 2 6 gauge wires, maybe thicker depending on distance. Keep in mind that only powers the heaters and nothing else: no lights, no tools. You're looking at a substantial wire size increase (and cost) plus the work of running or trenching new wiring.
Or you could just get a bunch of 100 foot extension cords and run them from the house lying on the ground. That's cheaper right?
Or you could just get a bunch of 100 foot extension cords and run them from the house lying on the ground. That's cheaper right?
Crzydmnd72
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2007
- Messages
- 284
Why not spend 150 on a kerosene heater? Then you don't have to worry with voltage drop at all?
OP
StaggeringGoat
Well-known member
Once again I already measured that. 4 volts. Resistive heaters do not raise in amperage as the voltage drops. With the heater plugged into a 16 gauge cord, I get 122 volts at the outlet and 118 at the heater.
Highbeam
Well-known member
When using an undersized extension cord....
I expect the plugs will heat up first and fail, the cord will easily dissipate the heat. The heaters won't care if their voltage is low and all of the wasted voltage will become heat anyways which is the point.
This is not the kind of setup that you would leave turned on unattended when you leave the shop. That's just silly. If you are there to watch it, what's the worst that could happen?
Kerosene, propane, and other unvented heaters dump their deadly exhaust fumes and moisture into the shop area all while depeleting the oxygen that us humans need to live. I agree with not using them to heat an enclosed area.
I expect the plugs will heat up first and fail, the cord will easily dissipate the heat. The heaters won't care if their voltage is low and all of the wasted voltage will become heat anyways which is the point.
This is not the kind of setup that you would leave turned on unattended when you leave the shop. That's just silly. If you are there to watch it, what's the worst that could happen?
Kerosene, propane, and other unvented heaters dump their deadly exhaust fumes and moisture into the shop area all while depeleting the oxygen that us humans need to live. I agree with not using them to heat an enclosed area.
VHF
Well-known member
12/3 SJOOW portable cord can be had for $0.85/ft if you want to make your own heavy duty extension cords.
12/4 SJOOW cord is $1.09/ft if you wanted to make a MWBC type extension cable to run two heaters.
http://www.wesbellwireandcable.com/SJOOW.html
(With portable cord all the conductors including ground are counted so 12/3 portable cord has the same number of conductors as a 12/2 NM/Romex cable.)
12/4 SJOOW cord is $1.09/ft if you wanted to make a MWBC type extension cable to run two heaters.
http://www.wesbellwireandcable.com/SJOOW.html
(With portable cord all the conductors including ground are counted so 12/3 portable cord has the same number of conductors as a 12/2 NM/Romex cable.)