14-50 Extension Cord use (Long Run)

[I'm_Jp]

If you get the one I indicated, plan on rolling it out and letting the sun to heat it up so that it can un-curl.
Being heavy and stuff, it takes a while to straighten out.

 

[wws]

Not planning to use actual conduit. I just want to bury the extension cord a little bit so it isn't in the lawn when it is getting mowed.

Bad idea. Just have your electrician bury some conduit and do it right.

 

[Kirby64]

Bad idea. Just have your electrician bury some conduit and do it right.

Agreed. Extension cords are generally not rated for direct burial or potential wet locations.

 

[DDrawer]

Even these big thick heavy duty extension cords designed for RV camping? I'd imagine RV cables would get exposed to all sorts of weather. It isn't as simple as having the electrician bury some conduit. There is already electrical running through my back yard, so they electricians wont dig without the city surveying it and telling them were it's okay to trench. We're talking thousands of dollars, and this is a rental property so I'm not really willing to dump that much cash into it.

 

[wws]

Even these big thick heavy duty extension cords designed for RV camping? I'd imagine RV cables would get exposed to all sorts of weather. It isn't as simple as having the electrician bury some conduit. There is already electrical running through my back yard, so they electricians wont dig without the city surveying it and telling them were it's okay to trench. We're talking thousands of dollars, and this is a rental property so I'm not really willing to dump that much cash into it.

Big difference between laying an extension cord/cable on the ground for temporary use, and burying it. Very different insulation requirements.

 

[jdr93]

Home
and
does the owner of the property want to participate in this upgrade?

 

[DDrawer]

Home
and
does the owner of the property want to participate in this upgrade?

They are participating. They have elected to have the outlet installed on the back of the house, and they will be taking care of the cost of the breaker box upgrade (which is full).

 

[jdr93]

well, that is good of them. must be pretty nice people.

 

[DDrawer]

Yes, extremely nice in my opinion. I offered to cover the whole thing, but they said they would take care of the breaker panel since it was full and out of spec anyway. So, I'm looking at $750 for the outlet install + like $200 for an extension cord, orrr potentially 3-4k to bury some conduit in the lawn. Outlet is going in this Saturday!!

 

[DDrawer]

Okay, I was thinking. If burying an extension cord isn't the best idea. What if I raised it. Put in a couple fence posts high enough that the lawn can easily be mowed under the cable, and string it along. It won't look pretty, but it would be better for the cable right?

 

[I'm_Jp]

Okay, I was thinking. If burying an extension cord isn't the best idea. What if I raised it. Put in a couple fence posts high enough that the lawn can easily be mowed under the cable, and string it along. It won't look pretty, but it would be better for the cable right?

View attachment 523515

As a homeowner who tends to my yard, I would hate it. Weed whacking all those posts, having to mow around the wire to get to the other side....

 

[DDrawer]

It would be more like 1 post actually in the yard, and the wire would be at least 6 foot off the ground so you could easily pass under it. I agree it isn't ideal. I think it's either that or bury it which is apparently not safe though.

 

[mspohr]

Okay, I was thinking. If burying an extension cord isn't the best idea. What if I raised it. Put in a couple fence posts high enough that the lawn can easily be mowed under the cable, and string it along. It won't look pretty, but it would be better for the cable right?

View attachment 523515

Flexible conduit is safe to bury. If it's "temporary", it doesn't need to be 3' deep. Just get it out of harms way.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0756MHW7K?tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

 

[DDrawer]

Okay, now we're talking. It'd have to be a pretty big diameter to fit the plug head of the extension cord through it though right?

 

[I'm_Jp]

4 inch diameter pvc drain pipe is 8-10 $ for 10 foot. Light weight, easy to glue. Not made for wires. Home depot.

 

[wws]

Why can't you just roll the cable up when you aren't charging? Then it is out of the way when mowing the lawn. Not to mention when it rains/snows/etc.

 

[DDrawer]

I'd be charging every day. So that would mean every morning I'd have to unplug the mobile connector, roll that up and store it in the car. Then I'd have to roll up a 50 foot, thick 6 gauge extension cord. Then get on with my day. That seems like it would get old real quick, especially in the rain or snow. Seems more inconvenient then going to a gas station every week at that point. And I know you all are right, so I don't want anyone to think I am being suborn or not listening to advice. I'm just trying to work with the situation I have in the most creative way possible.

 

[mspohr]

Okay, now we're talking. It'd have to be a pretty big diameter to fit the plug head of the extension cord through it though right?

Buy separate plug, socket and wire.
#6 wire x2 plus #10 ground
Fish tape to pull wire through conduit.

 

[azjohn]

14-50 extension cord
Heavy-duty NEMA 14-50 extension cord for EV, 50 ft. – EVSE Adapters

 

[Polly Wog]

Creative Condo Charging Solution

I’ve been using a NEMA 14-50 extension cord for 6 years without issue. See my link above for what I did. Losses are minimal.