Extension cord for block heaters?

[Mark from Maine]

I want to replace my extremely stiff extension cord that I connect to my JD 4200 hydro unit block heater. I need at least thirty feet so I guess that means I will need to purchase a fifty foot cord. My thinking is a 12 gauge wire should do it unless you folks tell me different. We are having a winter where mornings are below 0 degrees Fahrenheit a few times a week. So I want a cord that will remain flexible enough so I will be able to coil it up loosely when not in use. Does this mean I will need to get a rubber covered cord or are some vinyl cords available that will remain flexible at or below zero?
Thank you for your time and knowledge.

 

[ovrszd]

I've never read any specifications for cord requirements. I've used 14 gauge cords. Never noticed any problems. I normally use a 12 gauge if the tractors are parked in the machine shed just because that's where that cord is.

Got my curiosity up now. I'll do some research in regards to manufacturer's specs for cord size and amp draw.

 

[ovrszd]

Here's a thread discussing wattage and amp draw for various block heaters.

Block Heater Current Draw

www.greentractortalk.com

 

[oldnslo]

I believe some extension cords are rated for cold weather use but no clue what the cover material is.

i believe 14 gauge is rated for 15 amps and 12 gauge for 20 amps

 

[Rustyiron]

Look for a cord that specifies something about cold weather. It will have a jacket that's more rubber like and not vinyl. The block heaters that I've had over the years were never over about 1800 watts, I think that was on my older Fords with the 7.3.
A smaller tractor might be 1000-1200 watts and a 14ga extension cord will easily handle 2400 watts.
The moral of the story is spend you money on the jacket of the cord, not un necessary expensive copper.
It's been several years and the last good cords I bought were blue in color and the jacket was easily distinguished by feel NOT to be the cheap, hard vinyl covering.

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

Up here in the far north, we have cold weather flexable extension cords available.. They are not cheap but well worth the money..

On my tractor I assembled a 1 meter long extension cord from an old frayed flexable cord.. It is securely fastened to the loader frame and goes between the cord on the block heater and the cord in the wall outlet... When the heater is plugged in I always wrap the cord around the steering wheel...

This may seem a lot of trouble.... However....
You DO NOT want to see how it turns out when you go 11 meters out of the shed when using a 10 meter cord....

Take my word on that....

 

[pclose]

14 gauge is fine. I work in new products for a company that makes plugs so it's usually easier to make my own extension cords. I just checked the garage cord I usually use for block heating tractor and/or Ford truck. I have a really long version that is 14AWG SJOOW portable cord. It stays flexible and easy to manage in temps below 0. The OO means oil resistant which is good for garage and the W is for water & weather rated. SJEOOW cord has a more flexible insulation (Elastomeric) around the individual wire conductors and is supposedly even more flexible at low temps. I got my SJOOW at big box store by the foot.. Pricey time to buy anything made with copper wire so 14 gauge will save you $. Your heater is probably only about 400W so no issue with 14 gauge and draw. They sell cold weather extension cords, but a 14 gauge version 50' long could cost more than the DIY route. Good luck

 

[5030]

I believe some extension cords are rated for cold weather use but no clue what the cover material is

I believe they are neoprene jacketed..

 

[5030]

I've never read any specifications for cord requirements. I've used 14 gauge cords. Never noticed any problems. I normally use a 12 gauge if the tractors are parked in the machine shed just because that's where that cord is.

Got my curiosity up now. I'll do some research in regards to manufacturer's specs for cord size and amp draw.

Never plugged either of mine in and it gets real cold here. I don'
t have power in the big hay barn. They always start however. I just maintain the electrical system and run good batteries.

 

[Rustyiron]

Up here in the far north, we have cold weather flexable extension cords available.. They are not cheap but well worth the money..

On my tractor I assembled a 1 meter long extension cord from an old frayed flexable cord.. It is securely fastened to the loader frame and goes between the cord on the block heater and the cord in the wall outlet... When the heater is plugged in I always wrap the cord around the steering wheel...

This may seem a lot of trouble.... However....
You DO NOT want to see how it turns out when you go 11 meters out of the shed when using a 10 meter cord....

Take my word on that....

I do the same subtle reminder myself.

 

[ovrszd]

I do the same subtle reminder myself.

Isn't that horrible. Today I was in my truck, pulled my wallet to check cash supply before going to the store, stuck it between my legs. Drove to the store, totally forgot about the wallet. Got out went inside. Oh crap I don't have my wallet!!! Went back out to the parking lot and approached my truck looking around on the ground. A man hollered at me and said with a big smile "lose this?". An honest man right there. He was heading inside the store to turn it in. Had $500 cash in my wallet. I tried to give him $20 but he flatly refused. Kept saying just pass it on if you find a wallet. Restored my faith in our society. I walked with a lighter step.

 

[Jerry/MT]

I want to replace my extremely stiff extension cord that I connect to my JD 4200 hydro unit block heater. I need at least thirty feet so I guess that means I will need to purchase a fifty foot cord. My thinking is a 12 gauge wire should do it unless you folks tell me different. We are having a winter where mornings are below 0 degrees Fahrenheit a few times a week. So I want a cord that will remain flexible enough so I will be able to coil it up loosely when not in use. Does this mean I will need to get a rubber covered cord or are some vinyl cords available that will remain flexible at or below zero?
Thank you for your time and knowledge.

Look at the watts the heater is rated at and then look at the watts the cord is rated at. Use a cord that is rated no less than the watts the heater is rated at. I use my extensions for other purposes and I usually use 12 gauge copper wires so my voltage drop is not excessive for larger loads.
As far as the covering, some extension cords have temperature ratings based on the flexibility of the covering but not all of them. All of mine are 12 g and orange and they are flexible enough for me down to 0°F.

 

[Mark from Maine]

I found an old blue 12 gauge cord in my garage. Flexible enough. I shortened it up a bit and fitted new ends on it.

Thanks to everyone for your help. You have impressed me as always with your knowledge and your willingness to share it.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

Hunt for an extention cord with a TPE outer jacket.

TPE = Thermo Plastic Elastometer

CAn find then at any electric supply house.
50' footer is currently about $50.00

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

I want to replace my extremely stiff extension cord that I connect to my JD 4200 hydro unit block heater. I need at least thirty feet so I guess that means I will need to purchase a fifty foot cord. My thinking is a 12 gauge wire should do it unless you folks tell me different. We are having a winter where mornings are below 0 degrees Fahrenheit a few times a week. So I want a cord that will remain flexible enough so I will be able to coil it up loosely when not in use. Does this mean I will need to get a rubber covered cord or are some vinyl cords available that will remain flexible at or below zero?
Thank you for your time and knowledge.

The outer jacket on the extension cord for cold weather is Thermo-plastic Elastometer. posted a pdf.

https://uswireandcable.com/products/extreme-all-weather-cords-with-lighted-plug/

I used these cords as a contractor in below freezing weather. Easy to wind up when done with them for storage.
Retired Electrical contractor.
Dean

 

[pclose]

the heater cord jacket got weathered and cracked on my old truck and combo of wet and road salt would sometimes cause the GFCI in my garage to trip. I eventually replaced the block heater cord but I also wired a light into the connector so I would see power at the truck. They sell cords this way too, but I'm too cheap

 

[Sportsman762]

I like a 12 gauge SOOW or SJOOW cord. They are very flexible down to -10 or so. I have not see any other cord be able to handle the cold the same. I have destroyed many of the thermoplastic cords in winter. I would have to move cords between equipment at job sites due to limited power availability. Dragging a 100 yard cord is hard on it.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

I wanted some flexible cords to feed heaters on three vehicles was thinking two fifties and one 25-ft. Started pricing the 14ga flexible to -30Fcords.

It was less expensive to buy a 100-ft 12ga, and some ends. I now have 50, 30, as 20-ft cords.

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

It was less expensive to buy a 100-ft 12ga, and some ends. I now have 50, 30, as 20-ft cords.
--- ---
I did this also... Got a nice 30 meter cord some one had chewed up several spots with a weed or something like that.. Cut out all the bad spots and made cords out of the pieces.. In all only lost about half a meter of bad spots..

 

[oosik]

I have ONLY ONE very HD extension cord. It's 10 ga with a very soft but HD rubber outer shield. Specifically made for use in the cold. It's 50' and cost around $60 to $65. It remains flexible - even at -15F. I had to look around a long time to find this cord. Finally - found it at a Freightliner dealership. It's the cord I use in the winter to plug in the battery maintainer on the tractor. I keep most all of my other extension cords in the house. At least, they remain flexible while being first put to use.

So ........ I would recommend checking at any semi truck supply store.