[ftp]

Trying to buy 30m of 2.5mil heavy duty extension lead for my gutter sucker. "Sorry sir you'll have to buy 100 metres on a reel" Strewth £73 for an extension lead and sockets!  :

[Alex Gardiner]

B & Q do a 50m on a reel as do most trade electrical suppliers.

cgi.ebay.co.uk/new-50M-Cable-reel-Extension-13A-4-Sockets-240V_W0QQitemZ200261160246QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item200261160246&_trkparms=72%3A1301|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

cgi.ebay.co.uk/SMJ-E25013-CABLE-REEL-240V-13A-2SKT-50M_W0QQitemZ280274634519QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280274634519&_trkparms=72%3A1301|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[jeff1]

For external use of extension leads you need artic cable, its not cheap and is available on 50m rolls.
Go to a electrical wholesaler and price a 50m drum against screwfix.

www.screwfix.com/cats/A431792/Electrical/Cable/Flex/Arctic

[ftp]

That's the stuff Jeff, i bought the reel then had second thoughts so returned it and had a refund. Started again at the wholesalers with their top man. Explained the power of the vac and everything - his reply was "sorry we are not allowed to advise".
So, came back home and sent a text to an electrician i know who said exactly the same as you Jeff - Artic cable with those special type connectors 'cos the cable won't fit in your normal plugs. So now i'm confused because Alex has posted a normal extension lead?

Screwfix looks expensive, my local seller £73 with sockets, vat and 100 metres

[Brian B]

Why don't you try a camping shop and get a camping extension, I think the one that I use cost around £50.  It's 16 amp rated and has 3 RCD protected sockets built in.  If you want to you can mount this in your van or trailer for additional safety?

[jeff1]

That's the stuff Jeff, i bought the reel then had second thoughts so returned it and had a refund. Started again at the wholesalers with their top man. Explained the power of the vac and everything - his reply was "sorry we are not allowed to advise".
So, came back home and sent a text to an electrician i know who said exactly the same as you Jeff - Artic cable with those special type connectors 'cos the cable won't fit in your normal plugs. So now i'm confused because Alex has posted a normal extension lead?

The special plugs your friend is saying about are the 110v type,(round in shape) is your vac 110v or 240v?
If its a 110v then the above plugs apply, if its 240v then the standard plug will fit, but for your added safety fit an RCD device, any fault with the custy's electric or your vac won't come back and bite you on the arse
Also if H&S walk around the corner he may just let you get away with it with the RCD fitted, as all external work with electric should now be in 110v.

The artic cable will fit into the standard plug with a little help, its the correct cable for external use and as the name suggests it can be used in freezing conditions, its Hi-vis, and most important its heavy duty, so ideal for your needs.

Most electrical out-lets are not allowed to give any electrical advice unless there a qualified sparky and even then a company may not allow it, its all down to IEE regs.

[ftp]

240v - but was still advised to fit the 110 sockets  As my knowledge of anything electrical is so small i tend to go along with what they tell me.

[matt]

240v - but was still advised to fit the 110 sockets  As my knowledge of anything electrical is so small i tend to go along with what they tell me.

they will be the BLUE 240 ROUND sockets

[Alex Gardiner]

The round sockets are a lot safer, but fitting an RCD device will ensure that you are working safely whichever socket you decide to go for. Interestingly the wet/dry commercial vacuum you have bought comes supplied with a standard plug on the end.

[ftp]

Yes, with a thirteen amp fuse and the cable doesn't look any larger than normal.

[Chris Galloway]

Why don't you try a camping shop and get a camping extension, I think the one that I use cost around £50.  It's 16 amp rated and has 3 RCD protected sockets built in.  If you want to you can mount this in your van or trailer for additional safety?

summin like this?

www.busyoutdoors.com/shop/electrical-tv/electrical/mobile-mains-unit/prod_101.html?ccSID8643dd60547e611052421a6659ed64d2=c45a5dcf26ef57706f6336e109f37a62

[Jeff Brimble]

The B&Q stuff is rated to 3120watts and has 1.24mm wire, builders merchants sell it with 1.5mm wire both will get overloaded/heated and trip the RCD and should be fully unwound before use which is a pain.I use an rcd at both ends of the cable, Jeffs Arctic cable sounds a lot better.

[ftp]

So something like this? 16amp

[Chris Galloway]

So something like this? 16amp

ahh im assuming that goes in the mains..

finding out now if my sparky has some arctic going spare.. then just need to get the "funny" round connections

[ftp]

Ah Chris' you are another up and coming gutter sucker are you not?

[Chris Galloway]

Ah Chris' you are another up and coming gutter sucker are you not?

yeah got the vac last week, not used it outdoors yet. Using downpipe for now (its ok for normal 2 storey homes), untill i get some money together and i can get the carbon pole sections.

This elec bit, is of concern, so im taking notes

[matt]

So something like this? 16amp

personally the chances of you cutting the cable is fairly low

just get a 240 V normal plug circuit breaker and plug it into the houses socket, have your extension lead with a normal 3 pin plug on the end into the wall, in the other end have the BLUE round socket and the BLUE round plug on the hoover

job done

[Kevin R]

because of the draw and the length of the cable (40 mtrs is the Maximum allowed) and the draw you need 2.5 cable and a 16 am fuse. I have not been able to find one "off the shelf" yet. My electrician made mine.

[jeff1]

That's a most definite, it must be a 2.5mm cable as in the link I gave you, 1.5mm is just a waste of money and it will overheat and burn with a 3 motor vac.

[Chris Galloway]

That's a most definite, it must be a 2.5mm cable as in the link I gave you, 1.5mm is just a waste of money and it will overheat and burn with a 3 motor vac.

Thanks for the advice.

[Kevin R]

Also dont leave any coiled in use 

[Kevin R]

The round sockets are a lot safer, but fitting an RCD device will ensure that you are working safely whichever socket you decide to go for. Interestingly the wet/dry commercial vacuum you have bought comes supplied with a standard plug on the end.

The standard plug and fuse arrangement is for indoor use with out an extension lead. When you add the extension lead things change because of power drop etc etc.

[Kevin R]

Try here

tmx-electrical.co.uk/product/113-16a-240v-25mm-Arctic-Grade-Ceeform-Extension-Cables.html

 

[jeff1]

good link Kev, £30 for the one ftp wants

[Kevin R]

good link Kev, £30 for the one ftp wants

I 've been looking for an hour  LOL    I need a new one myself.

 Be nice if you could get one on a reel though 

[jeff1]

I have never seen one on a reel but often on a plastic wrap around in caravan shops.

[Kevin R]

I have never seen one on a reel but often on a plastic wrap around in caravan shops.

I will be looking for one of those now LOL 

[jeff1]

There rubbish, its like the old ones you used to get with lawn mowers and break in no time.

[Brian B]

In respponse to the question Chris Galloway posted,  that is the type of adaptor that I use.  I also have a 13 amp adapter which you can buy from camping shops that has a 13 amp plug and connector for the circular plug.

Similar to the type that FTP posted. 

But I always have an RCD in the wall socket. 

My vacuum is a 3 motor 80 Ltr wet and dry, and I've had no problems running this, I also run a twin vaccuum three stage carpet cleaning machine from this extension, again with no problem and the draw of the carpet cleaner is far greater than my gutter vacuum. 

All you have to remember is don't leave any coiled up bacause the excessive draw on the power it makes the cable act as a coil and will cause the outer sheathing will plasticise and eventually melt.

[Kevin R]

In respponse to the question Chris Galloway posted,  that is the type of adaptor that I use.  I also have a 13 amp adapter which you can buy from camping shops that has a 13 amp plug and connector for the circular plug.

Similar to the type that FTP posted. 

But I always have an RCD in the wall socket. 

My vacuum is a 3 motor 80 Ltr wet and dry, and I've had no problems running this, I also run a twin vaccuum three stage carpet cleaning machine from this extension, again with no problem and the draw of the carpet cleaner is far greater than my gutter vacuum. 

All you have to remember is don't leave any coiled up bacause the excessive draw on the power it makes the cable act as a coil and will cause the outer sheathing will plasticise and eventually melt.

All depends on the length of the extension lead. As voltage drop will cause a problem.

[Chris Galloway]

I know from school not to leave wires coiled when your run a current through them, that why i always unreel any reeled extension.

Whats a few more seconds reeling it in? Just have to make sure you spread it out neat and tide so no one can trip over it.

Get plenty of practise with that with the wfp 

Thanks for that linky Kevin R! Just need to get that RCD and a connector for the vac now

[ftp]

Got the cable today - funny how they cut it to thirty metres for an electrician but wouldn't do it for me. Pop out to B&Q soon to see if they do an rcd plug.
Got another question fo the sparkeys on here - why is my extension lead fitted with an earth wire but the vacuum lead isn't?

[jeff1]

Got the cable today - funny how they cut it to thirty metres for an electrician but wouldn't do it for me. Pop out to B&Q soon to see if they do an rcd plug.
Got another question fo the sparkeys on here - why is my extension lead fitted with an earth wire but the vacuum lead isn't?

If your vac does not have an earth lead it means the vac is double insulated and therefore does not need an earth.
But still add the earth to your plug and socket in your extension lead.

[ftp]

Have done, thanks Jeff. Had a conservatory clean this morning so whilst i was up my step ladder i thought i'd try a couple of gutter scoop tools i have. Both seemed pretty useless to be honest especially where the gutter had internal bracing. Looks like either sucking the muck or blasting it out would seem the most complete way of cleaning.

[matt]

tesco's do breaker sockets, a couple of quid