Fredrick Paget on sun 1 dec 02
I think you would be happier if you got a heavier cord. There are
extension cords made for airconditioners that have #12 AWG wire in them and
this will handle the load without getting warm. If you use too small a wire
it will heat up under load and reduce the voltage at the kiln by a small
amount.
These extension cords are sort of flat with 3 wires in them and the one I
have on my small test kiln is gray plastic. It works fine and my kiln is
rated 20 amps.
From Fred Paget, Marin County, California, USA
Millie Carpenter on sun 1 dec 02
I have a rather old 1 cubic foot Dyna-Kiln by L &L. the plug had been=20
replaced once before I bought it. the cord is cloth covered and getting=20
frayed in places so I want to replace it before there is a fire or I get=20
electrocuted.. before I went to the hardware store. I checked the=20
specs and found out that it is 1980 watts, 110 volts, 18 amps. and=20
single phase. So at the hardware store the man who knew electronics=20
said that I should take a contractors extension cord cut off the female=20
plug and use that. the specs on that cord are 15 Amps, 125 Volts, and=20
1875 watts. He said that it was okay because the standards were overly=20
cautious 20 years ago and today's wire is better and besides that the=20
same as the highest rated wire that they carry. =20
is he right or do I need to go to an electrical supply company to=20
purchase wire? or do I need to get my neighbor's son who is almost=20
through his electrical apprenticeship to get the right wire? This is=20
the first time that I have had a wire compatibility difference, but it=20
is the first time that I have wanted to replace the power cord on this ki=
ln.
Millie in Md. beautiful sunny weather. enough of a nip in the air (40=B0=
)=20
to make you feel like winter. Between the Thanksgiving turkey, and the=20
Chanukah Latkas, I am ready to curl up in a ball with the cats and lay=20
in front of the fire til spring. :-)
Ditmar on sun 1 dec 02
There's no problem with using the end of a "contractor type" extension cord.
What you do want is the male end though...not a female. ( just refer back to
basic birds and bees technology for a visual aid, if in doubt just pull
someone's pants down )
However, you should look for a minimum of 14 ga. wire, preferably 12 ga.
12 and 14 ga extensions are pricey if you only need a few feet. One of two
options are available.
#1 Buy the extension and an additional male end. After you cut off what
you need, attach the male to the remainder. Voila, a kiln cord, and a
slightly shorter extension.
or #2. Just buy 4 or 5 feet of 12 ga. cord, a male plug and make your own.
I just do option 2 all the time...lots cheaper.
As far as today's wire being better ....well, as far as I understand it,
physics hasn't changed and pure copper still conducts like it used to. I
think he was trying to sell what he had on hand......as you mentioned.
Overly cautious 20 years ago.??!!!! Well, take it with a grain of salt,
not everyone working in a hardware store is a rocket scientist.
From Alohaland, Ditmar ( got cold this morning where I am on Maui. Damn,
down to 47 degrees. )
_______________________________-
.. before I went to the hardware store. I checked the
specs and found out that it is 1980 watts, 110 volts, 18 amps. and
single phase. So at the hardware store the man who knew electronics
said that I should take a contractors extension cord cut off the female
plug and use that. the specs on that cord are 15 Amps, 125 Volts, and
1875 watts. He said that it was okay because the standards were overly
cautious 20 years ago and today's wire is better and besides that the
same as the highest rated wire that they carry.
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