New Extension Cord

[zakthor]

I got a new 14-50 outlet for my new welder but now i need an extension cord.

Holy hell wire is spensive. Makes me understand those copper thiefs.

Was trying to decide between $120 for 25’ of 6/4 soow or $250 for 50’. I really need at least 35’.

Found a local guy on internet with big ‘ol cords for sale. $100 each. The one i got is 55’ long. Said they were just throwing them away at work to replace with metal conduit.

Did the calcs and voltage drop is 1% at 50 amps.

Got to get new ends and an adapter from 6-50 to 14-50. The 480v ends are cool pieces of work.

[LWJ]

SWEET. I can't imagine the cost for a good high current / voltage extension. I sold welding stuff millions of years back. It was expensive in the 1990s.

[A930Rocket]

I noticed at Lowe’s the other day, they had rolls of copper Romex locked in cages. Friggen thieves will steal anything.

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

I noticed at Lowe’s the other day, they had rolls of copper Romex locked in cages. Friggen thieves will steal anything.

Its all their wire. Even stuff like single conductor 12. And they don't just hand wire to you, a clerk has to walk you to the register and make sure you check out. Its insane.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

I noticed at Lowe’s the other day, they had rolls of copper Romex locked in cages. Friggen thieves will steal anything.

I take it your wife buys laundry detergent? Tide is locked up here, so it's no surprise that copper wire is locked tight at the hardware store.

[zakthor]

Originally Posted by greglepore

Its all their wire. Even stuff like single conductor 12. And they don't just hand wire to you, a clerk has to walk you to the register and make sure you check out. Its insane.

And… if you walk out while theyre escorting you… theyre not allowed to stop you.

Was chatting with home depot store manager who said the worst thing was firing a great employee because he physically blocked a shoplifter from walking out with a cart of power tools…

Makes me weep.

[Zeke]

I go to the electric supply house. Many don't care if you're an electrician or not, they want to sell stuff. HD is good for onesies twosies. And you don't have to wait to get some friggin' cage unlocked.

However, HD is kinda empty these days so it might be better. Or they could have fired everyone but the stockers and cashiers with no aisle help whatsoever. If I get there 2wice a year that's about it. I pick up chlorine and a couple bags of mulch and head out the garden register with whatever trinkets I get inside.

[GH85Carrera]

My FIL worked for the local power company for decades. He sorta just kept a 30 foot length of the same wire that they used to bring power to a house from the power pole. It is designed to handle 200+ amps all day long.

I can use it for my stick welder, but I just don't weld much as a friend is a professional welder and it of course really professional at welding, not my booger welding.

Anyway, I use that monster extension cord to run the window AC unit for my garage. Kinda like have a fire hose supply a kitchen sink, so no stress at all.

[zakthor]

Swapping the plugs for 14-50. Look at these darn things. Ip69 3 phase 480v 60 amp!