Using extension cord with air compressor?

[el_chupo_]

Im sorry if this has been asked and answered, but I went through pages searching and didn't quite find an answer.

Recently purchased a California Air Tools 5510SE for basic inflation duty.
Motor is rated at:

110v / 60 hz

* Low Amp Draw - 8.5 Amps

Manual says "do not use extension cord", but...

I am wanting to make sure I can reach all of my vehicles with it plugged into the wall, and rather than buying a longer air hose (will be using a 1/4" Flexzilla) I was wondering if there would be any problems using a short extension cord?

My understanding is that under 50' a 16ga cord should be able to handle 13a. Since this compressor is 8.5, and I am only planning on using a 15' or 25' cord, will there be any problems I need to worry about?

I will, of course, check for the cord getting hot, but right now the biggest tire that might ever need inflating would be a 35x12.5/17, though that might grow to a 37" in the future. But more likely than not this will be used to top off and maintain proper pressure, so usually adding less than 5-10lbs to a regular car tire, so I dont expect the compressor to be worked too hard.

 

[KEH]

Why not just get a 12-3 extension cord? I understand the problem, years ago I wanted to use the air compressor near the house but was going to use a 16 ga extension cord. It tripped the breakers. I moved the compressor to the house where I could plug it into an outside outlet on the house wall. The compressor worked fine then.

KEH

 

[el_chupo_]

Mostly because I already have a 10 or 15' 16-3 cord in the garage, along with a ~20ft one from a damaged 50' cord that I put new ends on (should have just bought a new one in retrospect, based on the cost of the ends...), and I thought it might be enough.

Just seems odd to use something rated for 15 amps along 100' of cord when I need barely half the power for 10, or even 25' away.

 

[Marctrees]

El chupo - It is fine, , use what you have. Marc

 

[fsae0607]

Go to Blowes or Home Crapo and get some bulk 10 gage appliance cord and install plug/receptacle ends. I have a 15' cord I made and I run welders and small compressors off of it with no problems.

 

[vavet]

The 8.5 amps is running current. Startup current is higher, but even then you'll be fine. I think it's a generic warning statement they put on all compressors. Mine is rated at 15 amps. It would sometimes pop the breaker when I started it. Then it started popping it more frequently. I bought a 12 gauge 25 foot ford to run it off a different outlet/circuit in my garage for a while until I could investigate. Finally, I figured out the breaker was weak. I replaced the breaker with an identical unit (but new) and never had an issue again.

 

[tjdux]

Lawsuit happy USA basically requires anyone who makes anything that could possibly create a liability situation to dispell it with warnings like that.

You obviously did your homework and found the amperage draw for the compressor. The untold part of the story is that is probably running amps compared to starting amps. For a second or less it will probably draw 3 to 5 times its running amperage to get the motor spinning. So for a tiny amount of time it may pull 40 to 50 amps but generally that will not actually cause wires to get hot or breaker to pop. Quick blow fuses on the the hand....

Yeah a 15' 16awg cord will probably work fine. If you want to be extra careful plug the compressor direct into the wall and let the tank fill. Then take the compressor to the tire and plug it back in and fill the tire.

Or go get a 12 awg cord. Never know what else it could be used for.

Food for thought.... i would bet money in your home you have an 8 to 12 amp vacuum cleaner running a 20some ft 16awg cord...I would just run the compressor on the extension cord.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[el_chupo_]

Thanks all. I am aware of the spike in current on start-up, and as noted there are lots of appliances with longer cords running without problems too. The same outlet I will be using (not at the same time, of course), also has my larger (Husky Pro/CH VT6315) compressor plugged in, and it is rated at 15.7a, and I dont flip the breaker with it.
I also use a 15a rated table saw using a 14/3 25' extension cord in the garage as well, again with no problems.

I assumed it was a "CYA" deal on the mfg's part, and I will try the smaller cord and move up if needed. I even have a 12/3 50' cord I dont use much if it comes down to it. I just dont see a reason to have that much extra cord hanging around a small portable compressor if it isnt mandatory, I just wasnt sure if compressors somehow bypassed "conventional" practices.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Mostly because I already have a 10 or 15' 16-3 cord in the garage, along with a ~20ft one ...

Just seems odd to use something rated for 15 amps along 100' of cord when I need barely half the power for 10, or even 25' away.

All cordage is downgraded one step, especially for continuous use. 16-3 is 10A at best, even for short distances. Compressors have very high starting current.

 

[6PTsocket]

Thanks all. I am aware of the spike in current on start-up, and as noted there are lots of appliances with longer cords running without problems too. The same outlet I will be using (not at the same time, of course), also has my larger (Husky Pro/CH VT6315) compressor plugged in, and it is rated at 15.7a, and I dont flip the breaker with it.
I also use a 15a rated table saw using a 14/3 25' extension cord in the garage as well, again with no problems.

I assumed it was a "CYA" deal on the mfg's part, and I will try the smaller cord and move up if needed. I even have a 12/3 50' cord I dont use much if it comes down to it. I just dont see a reason to have that much extra cord hanging around a small portable compressor if it isnt mandatory, I just wasnt sure if compressors somehow bypassed "conventional" practices.

The compressor is the one that has to start under load unless it is a more sophisisticsted design with an unloader. . That can cause a really high start current and trip the breaker. The saw and the vacuum are not under much of a starting load.Go with a heavy cord and keep it as short as possible. The faster you get going the faster the current drops. If it is only a few feet I would be making up the distance with the hose, using at least 3/8 hose. Keep the hose short as possible too for best results.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[md21722]

Not even industrial compressors are rated with startup current in mind.

8.5 A is like a 3/4 HP air compressor. 16 AWG is rated for 13 A.

I don't see a problem here as long as extension cord length is pretty short & distance from panel is not that far.

What they don't want is some homeowner running it on some lamp cord wire 50 feet... on some outlet that is in a detached garage that was only wired for a light & garage door opener.

 

[sberry]

If you have a 14 use it.

 

[md21722]

Thanks all. I am aware of the spike in current on start-up, and as noted there are lots of appliances with longer cords running without problems too. The same outlet I will be using (not at the same time, of course), also has my larger (Husky Pro/CH VT6315) compressor plugged in, and it is rated at 15.7a, and I dont flip the breaker with it.
I also use a 15a rated table saw using a 14/3 25' extension cord in the garage as well, again with no problems.

I assumed it was a "CYA" deal on the mfg's part, and I will try the smaller cord and move up if needed. I even have a 12/3 50' cord I dont use much if it comes down to it. I just dont see a reason to have that much extra cord hanging around a small portable compressor if it isnt mandatory, I just wasnt sure if compressors somehow bypassed "conventional" practices.

For these higher current devices I would use a #12 or #10 extension cord.

Be mindful of "50 feet from the service entrance/panel" when choosing your wire size. If you're over 50 feet you generally want to upsize on anything that uses a bunch of current...

If your curious you can put a voltmeter on the circuit when you fire them up and see what it says.

 

[Citation]

Home Depot's chart says 14 gauge would be find for any length you are likely to need.
http://www.homedepot.com/c/factors_to_consider_when_choosing_extension_cords_HT_BG_EL

For airing tires I would suggest looking at a 50 ft 1/4 coiled hose added to your current hose. Those coiled hoses are cheap yet I've found them to be very handy for things like airing tires. Easy to clean up yet quite a bit of reach.

 

[dsimatt]

Hell something that size I wouldn't worry at all about using a extension cord, I run my husky 30gal on a extension cord all the time without issue.

 

[el_chupo_]

Didnt even think about doing a volt meter, or my distance from panel, if I am being honest... Not that I doubt the start up current is higher, so I dont know if I will be doing that.

My thought process was:

1. I have a 25ft hose that I was going to use for airing up tires. I have cars that do not live in the garage (including my daily driver), so I need to be able to get to it.

2. I will be plugging into the outlet where my 2hp motor/pump compressor live, where it is rated at 15.7 amps, so I dont think an 8.5 amp 1hp motor would be a problem, being the only thing that would be running.

(I assume the 2hp motor on that pulls a bit more start up than the 1hp on the new one, but since the motor is a belt drive to the pump, I dont know this to be an apples to apples comparison)

3. I could buy another air hose/longer air hose, or just use an extension cord to get an extra 10' of distance, which would cover just about any situation.

4. 8.5a, 10' (I checked the cord, I know it is 10' for sure) cord rated for 13a (up to 50', per most "builder"/electrical sites), should work fine. Im not running a job site, or long distance.

5. Should double check myself...

Hence the post.







With that said - I know that the length adds resistance/drops current, as do the connections. But if the mfg is good with 16ga for 6', at what length does practicality take over and say "take apart the compressor and re-wire for 12/3", because I am "**" feet from my panel?

Or, is there a general rule (other than "high amp/long distance upsize cord") that is used, specifically for compressors. Thinking about the load, I cant think of too many other tools that would have as high on start up, so I see how these are different than other tools, but I cannot imagine that every contractor with a pancake compressor is carrying around a 100' 12/3 cord for their compressor for trim work... But then, I'm probably dumber than I look...

Serious questions, and I appreciate the help and feedback!

 

[el_chupo_]

Home Depot's chart says 14 gauge would be find for any length you are likely to need.
http://www.homedepot.com/c/factors_to_consider_when_choosing_extension_cords_HT_BG_EL

For airing tires I would suggest looking at a 50 ft 1/4 coiled hose added to your current hose. Those coiled hoses are cheap yet I've found them to be very handy for things like airing tires. Easy to clean up yet quite a bit of reach.

The chart you link seems to say 12 or 10ga is needed for 25ft for a compressor, though all the charts go off of "amperage rating", which is much lower than their chart (listing air compressors at 16-20a)


Also, it seems a simple air hose upgrade may be easier than worrying about an extension cord... Shame, as I already have the other stuff.

Hell something that size I wouldn't worry at all about using a extension cord, I run my husky 30gal on a extension cord all the time without issue.

My 30gal has no issues on the same outlet, so I am not sure why there would be an issue with 10' of extra cord with a motor using ~40% less amps (rated), but I ask because I dont want to worry about problems I may not be aware of.

Thanks!

 

[Citation]

Yeah, something like this is easy and cheaper than an extension cord for this job
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H5VT0I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If you still want to go with the power cord, I think 14 gauge is sufficient for a short run. I think the chart's 16-20 amp is assuming a larger compressor. The CAT just doesn't draw that much current. I would feel fine with a 14 gauge if you don't need over 25 ft.

but I would feel better still with the air line.

 

[sberry]

I carry 50 ft of 14 with mine to add to circuits too close to the panel which trips the breaker on starts. We could use 25/16 but since it may run unattended we want a cord won't overloaded if it runs continious.

 

[mike93lx]

Go to Blowes or Home Crapo and get some bulk 10 gage appliance cord and install plug/receptacle ends. I have a 15' cord I made and I run welders and small compressors off of it with no problems.

10 gauge?? All that will accomplish is wasting money and having a completely unnecessarily heavy cord. That is a ridiculous recommendation.

 

[rlitman]

Go to Blowes or Home Crapo and get some bulk 10 gage appliance cord and install plug/receptacle ends. I have a 15' cord I made and I run welders and small compressors off of it with no problems.

Then walk over a few aisles and compare the price per foot for your copper wire, vs the price per foot of air hose.

 

[md21722]

While you're out shopping for prices for all these suggestions you could stop at a gas station and fill up your tires with free air.

 

[nollij]

The motor will draw constant power.

That warning is to prevent voltage drop which will result in increased current draw. More current = more heat which results in burning up the motor.

 

[Shiftless]

IIWY, I would go ahead and buy a 25 foot long 12 ga. extension cord. I have at least 5 cords in the garage and that is the one that gets used most often. 25 feet is pretty easy to store. A long air hose, unless on a reel, is more difficult to coil up and store.
With 12 ga. you never have to worry about voltage drop for any 120 volt portable tool application.

 

[Dr Stan]

The motor will draw constant power.

That warning is to prevent voltage drop which will result in increased current draw. More current = more heat which results in burning up the motor.

Exactly why it is recommended that one use longer hoses rather than extension cords. So either buy longer hoses, or move the compressor to the house when needed.

You'll also get less cfpm out of a really long hose due to losses from laminar flow, but that is in no way a problem when compared to an overheated extension cord. You'll probably not even notice the slightly lower cfpm.

 

[Citation]

IIWY, I would go ahead and buy a 25 foot long 12 ga. extension cord. I have at least 5 cords in the garage and that is the one that gets used most often. 25 feet is pretty easy to store. A long air hose, unless on a reel, is more difficult to coil up and store.
With 12 ga. you never have to worry about voltage drop for any 120 volt portable tool application.

I agree when talking about 3/8" rubber hose. When talking about 25' or 50' of coiled hose things are different. Those hoses almost put themselves away. When airing tires I just don't care about the flow loss of a 1/4" hose.

 

[sberry]

10 gauge?? All that will accomplish is wasting money and having a completely unnecessarily heavy cord. That is a ridiculous recommendation.

Don't you wonder how some people manage to get anything done? I been running equipment for decades, cant really remember the last time I really needed a 12 cord other than I use one on occasion for some stick welding but even that is rare.
By this logic everything I run should be burnt and never work and trip breakers continuously. Wonder why is does and doesn't?

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, the larger the wire gauge the better, within reason.

For my air compressor, a 120 volt 25 gallon Devilbiss with a 5 ho sticker applied, I use a 12 gauge cord.

For my welder a Hobart Stickmate I use an 8 gauge cord when it's plugged into the wall. When I weld from my portable generator I use a 10 gauge cord, because the gen set is only rated for a 30 amp output.

 

[jblnut]

I really must not be understanding the reason to use an extension cord instead of buying another or a longer air hose. Why would you want to move your air compressor more than you have to ?? I understand it may be on wheels and "portable" but still ...

+1 for buying another flexzilla hose. I have a few of them and love them. They are easy to coil up and for airing up tires, 1/4" is fine for as long as you want to run it.