I currently have a simple plastic coated wire type reel to store the mains cable. This is small to store, but a pain when winding in the cable, and I would prefer to use a system similar to a domestic extension reel, where you put the thing on the ground and simply reel the cable in. Given the ingenious ideas that have been forthcoming on other threads, has anyone got a clever system to suggest - and no, I don't want to stuff the thing in a carrier bag either!
Mains cable
- Thread starter chrisn7
- Start date
I have two hook up leads
ne long one and one half the length
The shorter one is encased in an old plasic extension reel casing and is wound up with one hand while holding in the other.
The other longer on is on an open reel like a garden hose and is wound up with the frame taking the weight and in the kneeling position !!!
ne long one and one half the lengthThe shorter one is encased in an old plasic extension reel casing and is wound up with one hand while holding in the other.
The other longer on is on an open reel like a garden hose and is wound up with the frame taking the weight and in the kneeling position !!!
Hello John
This is the sort of thing I was thinking about, but I could'nt see how to use a frame from an extension reel without unravelling the whole cable (I know that some consider you should do this from a previous threads). I'll have a look at hose reels next time I'm in the DIY store.
Is the long cable as bought, or have you cut one into a 1/3 and 2/3 split? Why 1/2 a cable-is it just to keep the weight down?
This is the sort of thing I was thinking about, but I could'nt see how to use a frame from an extension reel without unravelling the whole cable (I know that some consider you should do this from a previous threads). I'll have a look at hose reels next time I'm in the DIY store.
Is the long cable as bought, or have you cut one into a 1/3 and 2/3 split? Why 1/2 a cable-is it just to keep the weight down?
One cable is the as supplied with van and the other is half the length as my friend decided that I needed a shorter one so chopped a spare one in half!!
I can use the shorter one on most pitches so there is not so much excess cable lying around and in extreme circumstances both can be joined together(not happened yet!)
I always unwind the excess since we had a holiday ruined by a stroppy warden when 5 minutes after arriving on site was given a most unpleasant telling off for not having already unwound an H frame type of reel
On the other hand using a fan heater without unwinding 50ft of enclosed cable recently produced almost as much heat from the cable as the heater.So he obviously had a point but not a user friendly way of expressing it !!
I can use the shorter one on most pitches so there is not so much excess cable lying around and in extreme circumstances both can be joined together(not happened yet!)
I always unwind the excess since we had a holiday ruined by a stroppy warden when 5 minutes after arriving on site was given a most unpleasant telling off for not having already unwound an H frame type of reel
On the other hand using a fan heater without unwinding 50ft of enclosed cable recently produced almost as much heat from the cable as the heater.So he obviously had a point but not a user friendly way of expressing it !!
The reason for not keeping power cable looped close together is that it acts like a transformer, only it is inducing current back into its own length - the load is in effect the heat it is producing and eventually it will weld itself together.
This effect is worse if you have your own load on, but I once had an extension reel melt itself into one big blob with nothing plugged in (I had forgotten to turn the wall switch off after reeling the cable back in).
The scariest example I have seen of this was using an unrolled reel to feed a battery charger under a car bonnet.
Charger and reel were above the engine and carburettor, integral garage as well - frightening!
This effect is worse if you have your own load on, but I once had an extension reel melt itself into one big blob with nothing plugged in (I had forgotten to turn the wall switch off after reeling the cable back in).
The scariest example I have seen of this was using an unrolled reel to feed a battery charger under a car bonnet.
Charger and reel were above the engine and carburettor, integral garage as well - frightening!
John, I thought you were going to come up with some really interesting reason for that half cable!
I was surprised at your heated cable experience as I thought that the heating effect was ususally generated in fine gauge tightly wound cable, not loose wound caravan cable out in the open air.
I was surprised at your heated cable experience as I thought that the heating effect was ususally generated in fine gauge tightly wound cable, not loose wound caravan cable out in the open air.
Hi Chris the cable was inside a 50ft 13amp extension reel being used to dry a spillage in a bathroom not outside.
The cable reel had clearly marked on it how much current could be use coiled and uncoiled.
It was an oversight in the heat of the moment !!
The cable reel had clearly marked on it how much current could be use coiled and uncoiled.
It was an oversight in the heat of the moment !!
Chris
Loosely wound cable would be far less likely to get it, but the problem is that once it starts it becomes self perpetuating.
I have known people get away with leaving coils wound for years but it does happen and it is potentially very dangerous.
Loosely wound cable would be far less likely to get it, but the problem is that once it starts it becomes self perpetuating.
I have known people get away with leaving coils wound for years but it does happen and it is potentially very dangerous.
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Bailey tech notes circa 2017 18.May apply to others..
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