HD extension cords

[theoldwizard1]

The best cord are SJOOW/SOOW, but I am finding a lot of SJTOW cords for sale in both 14 and 12 gauge. These definitely cost less, but the outer insulation looks and feels "plasticy" and stiffer (it is thermoplastic instead of synthetic rubber). I am sure it will be a lot stiffer in cold weather.

Looking for feed back from those who have used both in different kinds of weather.

 

[Zeke]

I don't know which HF cords I have but they are 12 ga and have lasted for years. I do have to put new ends on them and have all but a couple. I usually carry 4 25' cords with me and that allows me to have a long run, 2 50' runs or multiple cords at a station such as when hanging a door and needing 4-5 power tools. I can gang the tools in a combo box but then the box has to move around as I go from one end to another or from door to jamb.

I know I went OT with this but the HF cords have served me well. I guess they would be the rubber you speak of because the are never stiff. Some power cords are stupid stiff in the cold.

 

[sberry]

I almost never use a heavy cord. My problem is 50 ft 16. I need to stretch the plastic and snag a couple on sale and I missed a clearance of orange 10 or 12 ft for 2 or 3$.

 

[Thumper68]

I stay away from the sjtow cords like you said they are stiff in the cold. If I have time I build my own.

I like 50 and 100 footers any thing shorter is a pain.

 

[rlitman]

The TPE cords MAY be stiffer in cold, but nothing like PVC cords (which crack and fail). They're also oil resistant, which the SOOW cords often are not. They have their advantages...

As for the all-caps MAY above. I believe the blue cold weather cords are TPE too. Some thermoplastics are ok in cold, and some are not. It depends on what you get.

 

[theoldwizard1]

They're also oil resistant, which the SOOW cords often are not.

The "OO" in the middle of the cord rating means "outer insulation oil resistant, inner insulation oil resistant"

 

[malibu101]

An excellent guide here- https://www.digikey.com/Web Export/...DF/Qualtek_cable_designation.pdf?redirected=1

Stay away from the "T" for thermoplastic. Not very flexible.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

The "OO" in the middle of the cord rating means "outer insulation oil and water resistant, inner insulation oil and water resistant"

Beat me to it.

Tommy

 

[unsinkable]

my all-time favorite cords are "Frog Hides". 12 ga 100'
i believe they're SJOW.
Super flexible all winter long, i've owned them for close to 10 years and the ends are even still good ! Pricey but worth every penny.

 

[stg454]

I have been very happy with my Yellow Jacket cords.

 

[ez-duzit]

My favorite cords are the triple tap ones with the indicator light that tells you it has power.

 

[malibu101]

my all-time favorite cords are "Frog Hides". 12 ga 100'
i believe they're SJOW.
Super flexible all winter long, i've owned them for close to 10 years and the ends are even still good ! Pricey but worth every penny.

I've had a 12/3 Carol Froghide 25' cord for quite a few years that is my go to for a smaller length needs and it has served me flawlessly. Maybe it's just because of the green color but works as great as my Flexzilla air hose.
It is indeed SJOW and a bit pricey but it IS a quality tool that I too would recommend to a friend.

My longer cords are black SJOOW cords that also serve me very well.
Until recently when my wife used one and wrapped it around her arm. She put so many nasty twists in it that I can't coil it up properly and does not lay flat.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

my all-time favorite cords are "Frog Hides". 12 ga 100'
i believe they're SJOW.
Super flexible all winter long, i've owned them for close to 10 years and the ends are even still good ! Pricey but worth every penny.

You don't want to know what a 75' 8/4 SOOW L14/30 genny cord goes for...

Tommy

 

[Ainsley]

I make all my own cords with SJOOW cord. Not cheap stuff but it helps to snag a good deal on kijiji. Picked up these three spools for $30. 250ft spools of 16/3 and 14/3 and about 100ft of 10/3.

 

[theoldwizard1]

picked up these three spools for $30. 250ft spools of 16/3 and 14/3 and about 100ft of 10/3.

YOU **** !!

You could make some serious cash just selling "cut to length" pieces !

 

[CNGsaves]

I make all my own cords with SJOOW cord. Not cheap stuff but it helps to snag a good deal on kijiji.


After banging a guy's wife . . AND . . dibbs on her twin sister 38/24/36 . . .

. . picked up these three spools for $30. 250ft spools of 16/3 and 14/3 and about 100ft of 10/3.

^ ^ ^ FIXED it for you in the purple text !!! . . . .

+1 that YOU **** !!!!!!!!

 

[Ainsley]

YOU **** !!

+1 that YOU **** !!!!!!!!

OT but I should add that the same guy sold me 3 packs of Walters zip cuts, a pack of flap wheels and a Walters twisted wire wheel all for $20! I didn't need them but really couldn't say no for that price.
I originally got a hold of him because he was selling 3 starrett mics and a dial indicator for like $60 but I was an hour too late.

 

[frank_c]

I have one of the red and black Husky extension cables. It doesn't coil smoothly at all.

 

[rick carpenter]

I made up two 12/3 cords. One is a Carol 15' SOOW attached to a hose reel, about 9/16" OD. The other is 25' SJOOW power cord for my compressor, about 7/16" OD (its mfr is not imprinted on the cord but both are from HD so probably Carol also). I've used the 15-footer for several years, it's stiffer than the 25-footer because of the larger diameter but it does OK in cold weather. I only made up my 25-footer this spring, so no cold weather use for it so far.

 

[sberry]

old,,,, just out of curiosity what does a guy use a 12 cord for? I understand if he is a pole barn builder or has a big project but what doe the hobby/home crowd do with them?
I spose there is run a remote air comp.

 

[brewchief]

I've got a couple of 12 ga Rigid brand cords from home depot and they are surprisingly good, they coil nicely down to single digit temps.

 

[dslabuda]

old,,,, just out of curiosity what does a guy use a 12 cord for? I understand if he is a pole barn builder or has a big project but what doe the hobby/home crowd do with them?
I spose there is run a remote air comp.

You're asking for what does a guy use a 12awg extension cord?

I use one for plugging in my little 30 gal compressor or 120v welder into the nearest 20A receptacle. Which in my case is up six stairs, through the door, and feeds my washer/dryer. No work on laundry day to say the least.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

[sberry]

That's fair, I was wondering because after a bit everything I need power to or use that would require it would have service. The only way we would really need it is on big building projects, everything else is handled with 16 cords.

 

[kschauwe]

If you don't want to build you own, my local Lowes were clearing these out for half price:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_610022-2042..._?productId=50254853&pl=1&Ntt=extension+cords

 

[dlfiene]

If you don't want to build you own, my local Lowes were clearing these out for half price:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_610022-2042..._?productId=50254853&pl=1&Ntt=extension+cords

I tried to find these coleman extension cords but no luck locally or on line!
I was looking at the 25 ft one.

 

[dlfiene]

Here are some pics of the Carol ones I picked up as NOS from 1986.

 

[Syberia]

old,,,, just out of curiosity what does a guy use a 12 cord for? I understand if he is a pole barn builder or has a big project but what doe the hobby/home crowd do with them?
I spose there is run a remote air comp.

My "little" 2hp 8gal compressor wants 15 amps, and won't even start on a #16 cord, and is iffy on a #14 cord past a certain length. My miter saw (also 15 amps) gets a little sluggish on the end of a #16 as well. Or a 1,000 watt work light in combination with pretty much anything else.

Off the top of my head, I have 100' of #16, 100' of #14, and 200' of #12 hanging on the wall in the garage. When you live on a large property, there isn't always an outlet where you want one (though I'm working on that).

 

[bczygan]

I am finding that extension cords are like electrical circuits.

You never have one at the right place when you need it.

My 100' HD cord is pretty heavy to lug around, and I use it mostly for outdoor equipment that doesn't really need that heavy a cord, but it does have a light on the end which is handy.

Picked up a couple of 25 footers that are real handy by themselves or coupled together or with a 50' one. Had another 50' one with a cut right in the middle, so got new ends and made 2 25' ones.

Also adding circuits and outlets everywhere, especially outside, so hookups are shorter and easier. A few more and different length cords, staged here and there will also help.

Soon (It will be just one more mile to mumbo jumbo, and ) everything will be hunky dory.

Bill

 

[Syberia]

Outlets and faucets, the two things I definitely don't have enough of outside. The simplest solution, so far, has been to add one on a post with the other.

 

[Shiftless]

I was standing next to a guy who said the gauge of an extension cord didn't matter. He was using a 100 foot long 16 ga. cord. Plugged in his 10 inch table saw. (Direct drive Craftsman) Saw blade made maybe one or two revolutions and then the motor quit forever.
I got to salvage his new carbide blade and the never used adjustable dado set. For that I helped him heave the carcass into a nearby dumpster full of scrap.

Might want to read up on "voltage drop".

 

[GTO]

I was standing next to a guy who said the gauge of an extension cord didn't matter. He was using a 100 foot long 16 ga. cord. Plugged in his 10 inch table saw. (Direct drive Craftsman) Saw blade made maybe one or two revolutions and then the motor quit forever.
I got to salvage his new carbide blade and the never used adjustable dado set. For that I helped him heave the carcass into a nearby dumpster full of scrap.

Might want to read up on "voltage drop".

This

 

[myredracer]

A problem with a lot of so called "heavy duty" cords (14 or 12 ga.) is that the plug and connector are poor quality - esp. the connector. I have lost count of how many connectors on the cords that have burned out on me due to what I assume is low contact pressure and the resulting resistance and heat. Add some dirt & dust in there and the connectors will eventually burn out. Then there's the thin outer jackets that damage easily and ones that pull away from the plug/connector leaving wires exposed.

"Heavy duty, super duty, premium" etc. labels on commonplace retail store cords is kinda like over-inflated HP figures on compressors. Some 16 gauge cords are even labeled HD. Pfft. The best thing is to buy a quality commercial grade extension cord or make your own up with good plugs and connectors.

I just made up a 30 amp 240 volt 25' extension cord for my plasma cutter. I got SOOW cabtire cable and found some plugs, a connector and recept. (twistlock) on ebay for a fraction of the cost at a wholesaler or retailer. I hate to think what a complete pre-made one would cost... Rubber jacketed cords like SOOW are the way to go. If you buy individual plugs, connectors and recepts. you will be able to look up the manufacturers tech. specs., unlike many complete cord assemblies.

Heavier gauge cords like #12 can prolong the life of some equip. due to reduced voltage drop on starting. For longer runs you may need #10 gauge.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The best thing is to buy a quality commercial grade extension cord or make your own up with good plugs and connectors.

I just made up a 30 amp 240 volt 25' extension cord for my plasma cutter. I got SOOW cable and found some plugs, a connector and recept. (twistlock) on ebay for a fraction of the cost at a wholesaler or retailer.

I can not disagree withe the "build your own" especially if it requires anyting other than 5-15 connector. SOOW (or SJOOW) is pricey even on eBay unless you buy a full spool.