extension cord storage

[LouG]

For those who typically keep their cords in one place and not on a truck, here's what I use at home. The cord comes out easliy when moving to other parts of the house, and winds up easliy when done. I think it costs $20 on Amazon and it stores 150' of cord.

 

[yhuynh]

coming late to the party..

if someone could please advise:
how does someone who's been doing it wrong get the cables to lay flat again after being abused so the over/under can be done properly?

thanks

 

[machine_punk]

I've used the AV method for many years (since I've been an amateur stage hand for over 28 years. It makes me cringe to see others use the daisy chain method, but if it works for you, I'm pleased that it does.

The AV method is essentially coiling the cord the opposite way every loop...so you don't get the ridiculous coil every time you unroll it (like your water hose...how much work you have go through to get it to lay flat, if you coil it the same direction for its entire length.) With the AV method, you give each loop a quarter twist as you lay the next coil on, going opposite directions every other turn. It is a lot easier to show someone than explain it. I use the AV method for pretty much everything--extension cords, air hose, and water hose.

For shorter wires, which need to be uncoiled frequently (mouse cable cords, computer power cords, etc.) I use a method I came up with. Keep 'folding the cord in half' (bring both ends together to reduce the cable length by half. Take the two 'new' ends and bring them together, reducing the cable length to 1/4. Keep doing this, until you have just enough cable to tie a VERY loose knot in the cable (a function of thickness and length). The VERY loose knot keeps the cable from uncoiling and getting tangled up. The doubling over method makes it very quick to wrap the cord up each time (packing up your computer between classes, leaving one meeting and going to another).

M_P

 

[Zick]

I've started using these and love them!
Seriously makes it easier to wind and unwind.
Says it will hold a 100ft 16gauge cord. But I've got one large card that has to be at least 100 ft, not sure what gauge it is but comes about ~10ft short of being able to completely fit inside.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000O9RJQU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Zick]

For those who typically keep their cords in one place and not on a truck, here's what I use at home. The cord comes out easliy when moving to other parts of the house, and winds up easliy when done. I think it costs $20 on Amazon and it stores 150' of cord.

I have one of these in the garage and works pretty good. Works better in the summer than winter. Seems when the cord is either cold or stiff, the rollers just don't grip it tight enought to reel in.

 

[PRH44]

I made this cord reel out of junk stuff at work about 25 years ago ad its still working replaced the cord but thats about it. You lay it flat or attach it to the wall

[/IMG]

 

[Carguy99]

I'm with the 'been doing it for years' guys. My grandfather showed it to me when I was pretty young. Now if I could only get my wife to undo it properly!!

Ditto best way to deal with long cords. Only problem if taken part wrong. *****!

 

[MarkG]

Another 'no-twist' cord wrap method

Sorry I don't have a video, but it's pretty simple:

1. First, halve the cord, or a least get it untangled!

2. Grab each end and put together (NOT plugged together---just side by side) So you'll have the male and female plugs side by side in one hand 'evened up'.

3. Proceed to coil cord (the paired-up cord) until you have 2 feet or so left. This is the end that now has a 'loop' in it.

4. Wrap doubled-loop end around the middle of your coil a few times and stick through top half of coil above your 'binding wraps'.

5. You're done! If this was a rope, you could hang it by that loop. Not recommended if it's an extension cord-----I lay them down.

The beauty of this method is that, besides being fast, winding the doubled-up cord 'cancels out' the twist since you are putting it in both ends of a doubled-up cord at once. This has been my preferred cord wrap method for years and still prefer it over any other method or 'gizmo' I've seen.

Method 2:

If it's a cord I want to store hanging, I'll coil it the same way with the alternating coils, but simply plug the ends into each other at the end. Shorter cords may just be hung through the loops, or for longer ones, I'll pass a short, pre-tied loop of rope/cord around the extension cord and back through itself (kind of like a slip-knot) and hang it on a hook.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I've used the AV method for many years (since I've been an amateur stage hand for over 28 years. It makes me cringe to see others use the daisy chain method, but if it works for you, I'm pleased that it does.

The AV method is essentially coiling the cord the opposite way every loop...so you don't get the ridiculous coil every time you unroll it (like your water hose...how much work you have go through to get it to lay flat, if you coil it the same direction for its entire length.) With the AV method, you give each loop a quarter twist as you lay the next coil on, going opposite directions every other turn. It is a lot easier to show someone than explain it. I use the AV method for pretty much everything--extension cords, air hose, and water hose.

For shorter wires, which need to be uncoiled frequently (mouse cable cords, computer power cords, etc.) I use a method I came up with. Keep 'folding the cord in half' (bring both ends together to reduce the cable length by half. Take the two 'new' ends and bring them together, reducing the cable length to 1/4. Keep doing this, until you have just enough cable to tie a VERY loose knot in the cable (a function of thickness and length). The VERY loose knot keeps the cable from uncoiling and getting tangled up. The doubling over method makes it very quick to wrap the cord up each time (packing up your computer between classes, leaving one meeting and going to another).

M_P

Here is a video of that method

I use something similar and never have problems with tangled chords.


Chris