[ftp]

I'm told the maximum length extension lead possible is forty metres because of the voltage drop. So Kev R or Mr H are you using forty metres plus the vacs lead or forty alltogether? Have you wired your heavy duty cable direct to the vac or did you keep the thinner lead that came already attatched?
I'm using thirty at the moment plus the vacs own but will probably make up another to get to maximum length when needed. Which will also give me the option of setting up for customers leccy with their permission.

[Kevin R]

40m total length.  The Vacs lead is Ok.

[ftp]

Thank you Kev.

[Chris Galloway]

Ive made a mains to blue socket of 3 metres, then a 20 metre extension and another 10metre extension before the vac lead. Saves having to unreel 40 metres of lead when i only need 10 for example.

[ftp]

Mmm i'm at maximum now 30m + the ten on the vac. I might have a large comercial to do but the access is a pig, it takes ninety metres of my microbore to wfp so i'm going to struggle getting my generator in place. Will be much easier if i can get permission to use their electric supply i think.

[Mr H]

Ive made a mains to blue socket of 3 metres, then a 20 metre extension and another 10metre extension before the vac lead. Saves having to unreel 40 metres of lead when i only need 10 for example.

So long as you don't join them together you will be safe.

[billyc]

I am having an extension lead of 20 m  and 10 m made up tommorrow- i have a 110v unit.

My generator is  also fitted to a trolley for ease, and have been moving this around properties - but given its size doesnt always fit through garden gates, then there is various steps to negotiate.

Maybe Glynn at omnipole can source various extensions fit for purpose.

Regards

Billy

[poleman]

This has been a problem for me as well! I have a 50mtr reel! And it says it covers the watts needed for my Vac! But it doesn’t! It cuts out within a minute of use! So at the moment I only have a 20mte one and I use the customer’s electric, and it’s going to be a pain as I have a big commercial job coming up!

Can anyone that uses a generator please post a link to it, many thanks 

[ftp]

www.pump.co.uk/shop/Generators/PetrolSilent/d24/sd77

I bought one of these the 5kva model  It's a hell of a lump to shift around though. I might need to put a wheel set on it to get round some jobs but i doubt i  can get it off the trailer on my own.
Poleman, have you got the right extension lead and are you uncoiling it completely? 50mtr will be too long especially if you've still got a further 10m on the vac.

[tradman]

goto an electrical suppliers, ask for 50m of 2.5mm csa sy (the sy is important) rubberised plugtop & socket. the 2.5mm allows pretty much up to 60m probably 70m at a push. if you want to split it into sections then you can use blue industrial plug n sockets as they are ipx5 minimum.

[poleman]

goto an electrical suppliers, ask for 50m of 2.5mm csa sy (the sy is important) rubberised plugtop & socket. the 2.5mm allows pretty much up to 60m probably 70m at a push. if you want to split it into sections then you can use blue industrial plug n sockets as they are ipx5 minimum.

I will do this 

[ftp]

Seventy metres! Blimey, thats nearly double what i have been lead to believe 

[Kevin R]

goto an electrical suppliers, ask for 50m of 2.5mm csa sy (the sy is important) rubberised plugtop & socket. the 2.5mm allows pretty much up to 60m probably 70m at a push. if you want to split it into sections then you can use blue industrial plug n sockets as they are ipx5 minimum.

WRONG - Do the sums !!!! or even better get an electrician to do it for you !!!!!!

[tradman]

actually i am a niceic registered electrician have been for 10 years, still am always will be. i can assure these sums are correct

[tradman]

in fact these sums are in tables in the on site guide so no calcs needed

[Kevin R]

in fact these sums are in tables in the on site guide so no calcs needed

I have had two electricians and Omnipole confirm that the Max length for a cable to supply the Omnivac is 40m. It has to be 2.5 with 16 amp fuses fitted.

I am no electrician but are you telling me that three people have it wrong? You do realise that the three motors are 1200 watts each?

[tradman]

thats irrelevant. its the voltage drop that matters (9% max), the fuse / mcb only protects the cable. if 2.5mm 3 core is good enough at 1m then its good enough at 70m, its about resistivity of the cable, i.e, the longer the cable the higher the resistance (up to 100amps, the vector diagrams can be ignored and treated as dc), i recommended SY as it has some mechanical impact protection built in (the galvanized braiding, however do not tie down to earth). i also have FdSc Tech. 

[tradman]

we are only talking about 15amps max (3600w / 230v), blue 230v plugs are rated 16amps max.

[Kevin R]

Its a two core cable (no earth from the machine) and were talking about standard / arctic 2.5 extension cable

Still allowed 70m?

[tradman]

please read my previous post saying which cables to buy from electrical wholesalers. kev wots your problem. simple, ring the niceic they have a helpline number and ask simple. just trying to be helpful. wish i hadn't to be honest. all i have said is... a 70m extension made of sy cable is acceptable for up to 70m as volt drop is less than 9%