Member Contributer dukeracr Posted August 31, 2007 Member Contributer Share Posted August 31, 2007 The instructions on my Yuasa battery tender has recommended minimum AWG size for extension cords. I have a feeling the printed instructions may be wrong. They say as follows: Length of cord(feet) 25 - 18 AWG, 50 - 18 AWG, 100 - 18 AWG. (no change in AWG despite the increased length) I live in a condo and have no outlet within 50 feet of my bike. What would you guys recommend as the best AWG for a 50ft extension cord. Rich A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tightwad Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 I bet it really doesn't matter that much, since the power is so small. If you want to be on the safe side, go with 12 or 14. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CitizenOfDreams Posted August 31, 2007 Member Contributer Share Posted August 31, 2007 Don't worry about the AWG, it would not be a problem in your case. A battery tender draws very little current, you can run it 50 feet with any cheap extension cord. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poncho Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 Its a drop in Voltage over a long distance that happens here. If you are less then 100ft I would not worry about a voltage drop. Any cord you get that is that long will be a large enough gauge to get the job done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum CEO HispanicSlammer Posted August 31, 2007 Forum CEO Share Posted August 31, 2007 1.5 amps is very little draw but the extension is still 110 volts so you want to be on the safe side. use 18 g or better like the instructions say. 16 gauge would be better - shoot am tired I cant rember smaller gauge is beefer right? Sombody must know I cant seem to remember at the moment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CitizenOfDreams Posted August 31, 2007 Member Contributer Share Posted August 31, 2007 Trust me on this one guys, the wire gauge in this case is simply in-sig-ni-fi-cant. Let's take a 1.5 amps battery tender (which is pretty beefy for a battery tender anyway). On the AC side it will draw... let's say 1 amp in the worst case scenario. The resistance of a 50ft extension cord made of AWG20 copper wire (which is thinner than AWG18) is exactly 1 ohm, which makes a voltage drop of 1 (one) volt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer dukeracr Posted August 31, 2007 Author Member Contributer Share Posted August 31, 2007 Thanks to all, I couldn't find a 50 foot 18AWG extension cord, but I'll get the 16 or 14. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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