Nice Quality Extension Cord

[Rocket1]

I need a good extension cord. Since winter is over I'll be doing more car detailing and I want something nice that will hold up. I need something that's at least 12 gauge. Any suggestions or are the ones at Lowes and Home Depot all fine?

 

[iroc409]

I got a two-pack of 50-ft cords at Costco with power illumination on the socket side. I think they were like $40, but seem to be of very good quality.

I would base them off what you're running. I have a cheap 120' cord that I ONLY run my electric trimmer on. I wouldn't put a power saw on it, period. It would probably overheat. Pick the right gauge for your application, or just go heavy if you're unsure.

 

[Rocket1]

Most of my stuff will run fine on a 14 gauge BUT - couple tools require a 12 gauge. I can safely run 100' 12 gauge cord off both but I'm looking for a 50' cord

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

If you want a really nice cord you're best off making your own.

I've made a few "shop cords" with 12-3 SOOW cable and nice 20A 120V Hubbell plugs on the ends. Cost is a little higher upfront but the quality is much better.

 

[JASTECH]

Menards carries nice ones made in the USA, yellow and has light up ends.. If you don't have one near then I can ship.

 

[wellpoison]

try monster cables, there expensive but hold up great. they make all kinds of cables too

 

[Rocket1]

If you want a really nice cord you're best off making your own.

I've made a few "shop cords" with 12-3 SOOW cable and nice 20A 120V Hubbell plugs on the ends. Cost is a little higher upfront but the quality is much better.

I hadn't really thought of that but that's a great idea. I remember a long time ago someone was selling supplies on here to make their own. I'll look into this

Menards carries nice ones made in the USA, yellow and has light up ends.. If you don't have one near then I can ship.

I don't have one around here. I'll see what I find before I ask for you to go through all the trouble. Thanks for the offer

 

[woody 73]

They used to sell one at lowes called a yellow jacket but darn if they keep changing suppliers at the drop of a hat.

 

[hammlm]

There was a farily prominent member here who had a nice supply of high quality connectors and cordage about a year ago or so. My C.R.S. has kicked in, so I can't tell you his name/handle.

He was selling at prices I couldn't touch at supply houses around here. I didn't buy anything from him, but hopefully he'll be by shortly and chime in.

I have a collection of self-made and purchased extension cords. The ones I made are much better, but I reach for the mfg. ones half the time -- they are lighter, and somehow end up at front end of my cord rack a lot. When I was younger, I made some stupidly heavy-duty extension cords --- silly looking back, and even dumb when I think about how I connectorized 8AWG SJO, but I have always been a bigger must be better guy.

 

[joecon]

Try Centry wire they have good cords in alot of diferent configuations.

 

[Bull]

I wont swear to it, but I believe the fellow on here that used to sell custom high quality cords was named "mrb" or something similar.

I bought a Husky branded cord from Home Depot several; years ago when I was redoing our kitchen. It is very heavy and has held up well. I haven't tested voltage drop through it or anything, but in terms of what I can perceive with my naked senses, it is a nice cord.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I hadn't really thought of that but that's a great idea. I remember a long time ago someone was selling supplies on here to make their own. I'll look into this

Just a quick piece of advice if you do decide to make your own. Look in your phone book for any electrical surplus companies. We have a local surplus/salvage reseller we get all our ends and other parts from and generally save 50-80% off new cost.

 

[DHCrocks]

the yellow jacket one is very good I have a 12ga that is more flexible then my regular 16ga extension cord.

 

[Roots]

It's amazing how big the quality difference can be between a cheap cord and an expensive one.

 

[scarrylarry]

Hmmmmmm!
I have had a lot of dissapointment with extension cords.Last one I bought from Home Depot heavy gauge it had an orange casing with a couple of black line on the total length of it,made in China.Verdivt on it- Lousy! the wires seem to have spun around inside the casing or some thing,it twisted up like a big noodle.I tried every which way to straighten it out but had no Luck.I look after all of my stuff,took care looping it up after using it but to no avail.I ended up making my own.Try and find an extension cord from an average supply place they are all made in china. I'm in Canada eh!

scarrylarry

 

[Stewie 03]

I just picked up a yellow 40', 12 gauge extension cord with lighted ends at Rockler's for $24.99 (50% off). I have a 100' 14 gauge but I need a heavier, shorter cord for my power tools.

Here's the description: The best value for your money is our Century® Pro Style™ extension cord which offer the quality and features you need at a price you can afford. We use only soft-drawn, bunch-stranded 100% copper conductors for maximum flexibility and amperage transmission. The clear connector has a built-in neon light indicating that there is power in the receptacle, cord and outlet circuit. Our cords are manufactured with cold weather insulating and jacketing compounds. As a result, Pro Style™ cords are extra flexible in temperatures well below freezing. Colors may vary.
40 Ft. Length

Here's the link: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=30211&site=ROCKLER

Good luck!

 

[RKA]

The Rigid one's in Home Depot are pretty good (I've got a couple I use for the saws and whatnot). Illuminated end, 12 ga. and the cord is pretty flexible. If you coil it up properly (yes, there is a right way), you should be fine.

 

[ElectroLight]

I got a two-pack of 50-ft cords at Costco with power illumination on the socket side. I think they were like $40, but seem to be of very good quality.

I have that 12Ga Costco set and I'm very happy with them. I'm not sure they're as flexible as you would want for auto detailing. I would consider building my own out of SOOW as mentioned.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you want a really nice cord you're best off making your own.

I've made a few "shop cords" with 12-3 SOOW cable and nice 20A 120V Hubbell plugs on the ends. Cost is a little higher upfront but the quality is much better.

I disagree. The cost is a LOT more !

I have actually bought good quality extension cords (SJOOW) and cut an end off to use as a longer power cord on a 240V portable air compressor (I also went from 14-3 to 12-3).

To cut costs some places are selling extension cords that are made with SJT cordage (it should be stamped in the cord). With out going into the details, these are not "heavy duty".

Buy a good cord and if the end go bad (and they will over time) then you can replace them.

 

[malibu101]

I agree that an SJ-type cord (SJ, SJO, SJOO, SJOW) makes a great cord.
I have a Carol Froghide cord (12AWG) (which is SJOW) that is nice and supple.
Both are very flexible in cold weather and stand up to the abuse that cords get very well.

 

[ImportTuner]

I wont swear to it, but I believe the fellow on here that used to sell custom high quality cords was named "mrb" or something similar.

I bought a Husky branded cord from Home Depot several; years ago when I was redoing our kitchen. It is very heavy and has held up well. I haven't tested voltage drop through it or anything, but in terms of what I can perceive with my naked senses, it is a nice cord.

Yep, it is MRB. I bought one of his high quality cords (excellent quality).

 

[Bull]

The Rigid one's in Home Depot are pretty good (I've got a couple I use for the saws and whatnot). Illuminated end, 12 ga. and the cord is pretty flexible. If you coil it up properly (yes, there is a right way), you should be fine.

Ridgid! Thats the brand of the one that I got from Home Depot, not Husky. Mine also has the lighted female end. It has not twisted up at all over the years.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I agree that an SJ-type cord (SJ, SJO, SJOO, SJOW) makes a great cord.

Just so that everyone is clear, SJ is NOT a brand, it is part of a rating system for electrical cordage

S - Service cord (opposed to lamp cord or vacuum cord)
J - Junior, meaning maximum voltage 300 (if this letter is missing, the maximum voltage is 600)
O - Oil resistant outer jacket
OO - Oil resistant outer and inner jacket
W - Weather resistant
T - Thermoplastic insulation (if this letter is missing, the insulation is Thermoset rubber) IMHO, thermoplastic insulation should be avoided

 

[hoffmand]

Regardless of what extension cord you buy, using the "over-under" method to coil it will greatly increase its life and prevent it from twisting up like a noodle inside. Once you learn the technique it's as fast as the old "around your elbow" way and the cord never tangles.

 

[fury9]

sorry guys but the ridgid is nice, especially once you change the end,no more tying the cord in a knot at the plug in point

 

[shampoop]

Look for something made to be flexible at low temps. I got this one just for general home use, so I'm not sure how well it would hold up to every day pro use, but it is much more flexible than most cable and much easier to work with.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SQF6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You might want to consider using a long length of cable that's very tough and stiff, and then a short 10 or so foot cable that's nice and flexible, much like a hose whip on an air line.

 

[dtt454]

the place i work at buys cords custom, i cant remember the name of the place, but to read his literature it almost looks like a guy working out of his garage, they print whatever you want on the cord, weither its your name company name, whatever you want... also one of the newer things is cords with constant ground monitoring the end glows green if the ground is good and red of it doesnt detect a good ground. if you just google search for cgm extention cords you can find a number of vendors. alot of them are custom. and the price really isnt much more than you would pay for at the hardware store.

 

[5lima30]

I've got a 12 ga "Yellow Jacket" with the lighted end that I have had for years. Even though I have at least 6 extension cords that is the first I will grab! It is not stiff in the winter and doesn't get twisted up like the cheaper Wally World types.

 

[nexum1919]

these two seem to work together rather nicely, no problems unwinding when stored outside below freezing (altough we did not have too many brutally cold snaps this year)
US Wire 99100 12/3 100-Foot SJEOW TPE Cold Weather Extension Cord Blue with Lighted Plug
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001KY03FC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Quick Winder RAP-100 Electric Cord and Fiber Optic Cable Reel
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000225E4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jeffmoss26]

I always preferred to make my own when I did lighting and sound at school. I ended up repairing hundreds of cords with junk molded ends that had the prongs bent/broken. I like Hubbell or Leviton 5266 and 5269 plugs.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I disagree. The cost is a LOT more !

I have actually bought good quality extension cords (SJOOW) and cut an end off to use as a longer power cord on a 240V portable air compressor (I also went from 14-3 to 12-3).

To cut costs some places are selling extension cords that are made with SJT cordage (it should be stamped in the cord). With out going into the details, these are not "heavy duty".

Buy a good cord and if the end go bad (and they will over time) then you can replace them.

We'll have to agree to disagree.

We spend $1/foot for 12-3 SOOW cable (new) and buy our hubbell ends for $3-5 each (used but like new). Total cost for a 50' cord is less than $60 before taxes. A 50' 12 gauge yellow jacket extension cord is $50 at Lowes or Home Depot.

Granted the economics won't work if you buy new ends a $20-30 a piece but with the internet & surplus sellers there's really no need to.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I found good pricing on plugs at my electrical suppliers as well as a theatrical lighting company.

 

[balrog]

Check out Voltec Industries. They also have a line called Kwik Kustom that allows you to order color of the jacket and cord end to suit your needs. They have cords for cold weather applications too.

 

[scarrylarry]

Proper way to coil

Okay maybe I haven't been coiling them up properly.I gave up on the wrap around the elbow thing,it didn't help.I know straighten the cord all out it's length,grab on to one of the ends with one hand and make large coils with the other hand.If anyone has a video on the right way I would appreciate a link.
Thanks
scarrylarry

 

[reptilezs]

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

Just so that everyone is clear, SJ is NOT a brand, it is part of a rating system for electrical cordage

S - Service cord (opposed to lamp cord or vacuum cord)
J - Junior, meaning maximum voltage 300 (if this letter is missing, the maximum voltage is 600)
O - Oil resistant outer jacket
OO - Oil resistant outer and inner jacket
W - Weather resistant
T - Thermoplastic insulation (if this letter is missing, the insulation is Thermoset rubber) IMHO, thermoplastic insulation should be avoided

Thanks! I was wondering about that. This kind of information is worth an entire month's subscription fee to GJ!

 

[kngelv]

If you want a really nice cord you're best off making your own.

I've made a few "shop cords" with 12-3 SOOW cable and nice 20A 120V Hubbell plugs on the ends. Cost is a little higher upfront but the quality is much better.

Yep.

James

 

[PeterT]

I seem to have bad luck with my extension cords. I usually don't have the time to coile them properly (if at all),, then the next time I go to use it I have to drag it out from under the deck and its a rats nest.. Don't they make a coiling tool for extension cords?

 

[nexum1919]

Quick Winder RAP-100 Electric Cord and Fiber Optic Cable Reel
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000225E4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Rocket1]

I've done a little looking locally and it has me wondering about them. The 12/3 cords I saw were all rated for 15A but I thought the 12 gauge cord could handle more so does that rating result of the ends used?